Martinez Historical Home Tour 2012 October 13, 2012

Enjoy a tour of seven (7) private homes representing the architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in historic Martinez.

The tour begins at the Shell Club House with its intact Arts & Craft interior and the adjacent Shell Oil Museum – both located at 1635 Pacheco Drive. The tour includes the 1890 Borland House (home of the Martinez Museum), 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 historic photographs and vintage camera equipment, live musicians at several locations, craft demonstrations, displays of art, and refreshments (complementary coffee, bottled water and cookies). Also included is a side tour of the "Doll Hospital" (Nature’s Way Doll Centre) with its collection of historic Dolls. City Hall will also be open with a docent on duty to explain the buildings origins as a new grammar school, constructed in 1917 to handle the influx of children into Martinez as the new Shell Refinery went into operation.

Proceeds from the Tour will benefit the Historical Society’s effort to restore and reopen the Old Train Depot in downtown Martinez portions 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 Martinez City 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. Plan on at least two (2) hours to completely enjoy the event.

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 special thanks to the Tour’s gold sponsors: the Shell Martinez Refinery, S and S Supplies & Solutions and Cole Real Estate.

Also many thanks to the tour’s bronze sponsors: Shell Chemical, Allied Waste, Hagin’s Automotive, Kinder’s, and the Shell Western States Federal Credit Union

Official Website: http://www.martinezhometour.com