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Walking Through History With Simone Wai

Walking Through History

This September, the tour will feature six splendid, historically significant structures that will satiate even the most inquisitive of spirits. We went on a walk one sunny morning with HNA Communications Director Simone Wai, who showed us one of the oldest homes in Fargo, which is also going to be on the tour.

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Once every two years, we get to indulge our curiosity when select members of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association open their doors for the Historic Hawthorne Home Tour. This September, the tour will feature six splendid, historically significant structures that will satiate even the most inquisitive of spirits. We went on a walk one sunny morning with HNA Communications Director Simone Wai, who showed us one of the oldest homes in Fargo, which is also going to be on the tour. Of course, we had to ask her a few questions on the way.

Walking Through History

Q: How many homes are on the tour?
A: Every tour, we have a whole new group of homes. We’ll have six this year.

Q: How do you decide which houses to feature on the tour?
A: We have a list of houses that we’d like to feature so we try to ask those people and then we ask members of the Association if anyone wants to volunteer their house.

Q: What do the homeowners do during the tour?
A: We make sure that we have all of the homeowners at the homes so they can answer any questions. They usually know the history and any little quirks the house has as well.

Q: When is the tour taking place?
A: Sunday, September 17, noon-5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available on our website.

Q: Where do the proceeds from the event go?
A: This event is a fundraiser for the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association, raising funds for our operations for the next two years, including events, programming and neighborhood infrastructure. We also select a cause, usually a nonprofit, and donate money to them.

After a lovely walk down Eighth Street., we paused to appreciate one of the homes that will be featured on the tour. Looking at it now, you’d never guess how much this structure has been through. Not only did it survive The Great Fargo Fire of 1893, but it also endured being cut in half.

Walking Through History
Wai in front of her 1906 home in the historic Hawthorne neighborhood. In addition to serving as the HNA Communcations Director, Wai is also involved in the community by heading up the Red River Farmer’s Market.

Historically remembered as the Roberts-Haggart house, this home was built in 1880 in the Italianate style and once stood on the northwest corner of Roberts Street and Second Avenue North in Downtown Fargo. Then in 1920, the 13-room, 3,228-square-foot house had to be split into two halves to be safely moved 15 blocks south to its current location. Guests who visit during the Historic Hawthorne Home Tour will be walked through the residence and learn about its past and how it is connected to the Civil War.

For more information, visit:
hawthorneneighborhood.org
facebook.com/HNAFargo

Check it out
Sunday, September 17, noon-5 p.m.

 

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