MARTINEZ– On Saturday, October 13^th, enjoy a tour of seven (7) private homes representing the architecture of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in historicalMartinez.

The tour begins at the Shell Club House with its intact Arts & Craft interior and the adjacentShellOilMuseum– both located at1635 Pacheco Blvd.  The tour includes the 1890 Borland House (home of theMartinezMuseum), the 1917 City Hall (formerly a grammar school), John Muir’s 1882 Italianate Victorian Home and the 1849 Martinez Adobe.  A point of interest on the Tour is the monument where that most iconic of American cocktails was invented in 1874:  the Martini.

This year’s tour includes an exhibit of historical photographs and vintage camera equipment, live musicians at several locations, craft demonstrations, displays of art, and refreshments.  Also included is a side tour of the Nature’s Way Doll Centre with its collection of historical Dolls. 

Tickets are $25.  Tickets can be purchased from Char’s Flowers (516 Main Street), Rumain’s Jewelry (510 Center Avenue), Bagel Street Café (580 Center Avenue), The UPS Store (the LuckyShopping Center) and I’ve Been Framed (411 Ferry Street).  For online purchase of tickets using a credit card, please go to Eventbrite (martinezhometour2012.eventbrite.com).

Proceeds from the Tour will benefit the Historical Society’s effort to restore and reopen the Old Train Depot in downtownMartinezportions of which date back to 1877.

You can drive the Tour route, or utilize the free shuttle service that will be provided, with bus departures approximately every 10 minutes.  Tour guides on the bus will entertain you with stories of historical Martinez.  Wear comfortable shoes; once you reach MartinezCity Hall, located in the district where the homes are located, you may wish to walk the Tour.  The tour is self-paced.  The Tour will take place rain or shine.  Tour hours are from 10 am to 4 pm.  Plan on about two (2) hours to completely enjoy the event.  For more information, please visit the Tour website (www.MartinezHomeTour.com).

No children under 12 years of age (infants may be carried in arms or belly carrier).  Due to the period of the homes, they are not wheelchair accessible.  We regret that taking pictures is not allowed inside the homes.

A very special thanks to the Tour’s gold sponsors:

·         ShellMartinezRefinery

·         S and S Supplies & Solutions

·         Cole Real Estate

Also many thanks to the tour’s bronze sponsors:

·         Shell Chemical

·         Allied Waste

·         Hagin’s Automotive

·         Kinder’s

·         Shell Western States Federal Credit Union