7 historic homes open for tour

PROVO — Tonight, for just a few hours, seven homes and hundreds of years of history will be open for public view.

"There's really no way to get inside of these homes — they're private residences," said Stephen Hales, a member of Provo's Landmarks Commission. "It's kind of a rare opportunity, I hope more people will come out. (It) should be a fun evening."

Downtown Provo boasts more than 70 historic landmarks, with a booklet to help visitors on self-guided tours throughout the year. But Thursday, seven homes on the historic landmark list will be open for guided inside tours, as part of the annual celebrations connected to America's Freedom Festival at Provo.

The Historic Provo Walking Tour and Reception has been a precursor to the 4th of July extravaganza for almost 10 years, bringing out hundreds of interested Provo residents who get to see history firsthand.

"Each one (home) is very different," said Matthew Taylor, a planner with Provo's community development department. "This brochure helps explain history, why (the homes are) unique and important to Provo. It's a matter of enjoying some significant architecture . . . and an opportunity to connect to the past and the heritage we have."

The seven homes are on Center Street and 500 East. Styles range from English Tudor to Arts and Crafts Bungalow, while others have traits of the Dutch Colonial Revival style, a Neoclassical design motif and one that was modeled after architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Fireproof House.

The oldest landmark in the city is Provo West Co-Op, at 450 W. Center, built around 1866 under the direction of LDS leader Brigham Young. Other historic sites include Provo Town Square at University Avenue and Center Street, Amanda Knight Hall at 800 N. University Ave., and the Utah County Courthouse at 51 S. University Ave.

The Provo Landmarks commission, working as part of the freedom festival, will be in charge of the tours.

Established in 1995, the commission also works with the Community Development Department to nominate buildings in Provo for inclusion on the landmark register. Nominated homes go through structural reviews to see if there have been any significant changes on the outside of the home, as well as a historical investigation to see if someone of great importance once lived in the house. If homes pass the review, they are presented to the City Council for final approval.