The West Haven Historical Society will sponsor two Walking Tours of the Savin Avenue-Church Street-Court Street-Chestnut Street neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 26. Rain date is Oct. 3.
The morning tour is scheduled to depart the Historical Society’s Poli House, 686 Savin Ave.,at 10, and the afternoon tour will leave at 1:15. from the same address. Both tours will be limited to 15, and each person will be required to wear a mask and to keep social distancing during the tour.
Cost is $10 per person and will include a packet of historical pictures of many structures on the tour. The walk will last approximately 90 minutes.
One of the historic sites on the tour will be to view the location of the Oak Hill Seminary for Young Ladies which was built on Church Street facing Savin Avenue. Founded in 1845, the school enrolled young women from local families and from neighboring towns. The school continued in operation until 1870.
Other sites to be viewed will be the Johnson Farm which was located on Church St., the late 18th century Barr house on Court Street, and the elegant Iris Hill home located on Chestnut St. Constructed around 1860, it was the residence of Alexis Painter son of West Haven’s well-known patriot Thomas Painter.
Walkers will proceed a limited distance on each street and will return along Savin Avenue to the West Haven Green. Call Jon at (203) 933-0081 to reserve a place on the morning or afternoon tour. Deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 23.