House Walk day

Sunday was House Walk day. We sold a record number 650 tickets. We started out at the Sloan house that I was at the other day for the WGN filming.

One rule on the House Walk is that guests can't take pictures inside the houses. I took this when the TV crew was there. Interestingly, it's the only bathroom on the main floor. This bathroom (one of 12) shows the tankless toilet using the patented valve of the Sloan Co., (still in business) which provided the income for the company's founder to build this beautiful house. Most Sloan plumbing fixtures are used commercially today so look for it next time you're in a store or office.

Andy doing his thing. This house has ties to the Chicago Roller Skate Co.

This house was built for Chicago mobster Tony Accardo. Not a lot of construction records could be found for this one. It does have a hidden room in the basement and brick tunnel from the house to garage so neighbors couldn't see who was coming and going.

This 1958 Corvette was parked at a house built in 2958 by the founder of the Radio Flyer red wagon company. It's only on its second owner and maintains a lot of the mid-century details. I wish I could have taken some pictures inside (not allowed) because it was giving "Brady Bunch" vibes.

This was from the WGN shoot too, showing the roller skates, Sloan valve and Radio Flyer wagon that represented three of the houses on the walk. The theme was "American Dream Homes" built by tycoons who started successful businesses.

This house was built by the founder of American (Continental) Can Co. Its can were used for Campbell's soup, beer, paint, etc.

After talking to my boss, he said to try to get pics inside so I snapped a few inside the house, trying to be sneaky. Nicely set table, eh?

After going through the houses, Andy and I went to the museum to set up for the volunteers' party. One of the volunteers brought in baskets of booties that people wore as they toured the houses. That's a lot of booties.

I didn't put the program booklet together, but I did design the cover.