Historic Washington Square -- May 15

Despite the uncooperative (rainy) weather, OLLI members were able to enjoy a unique look at the historic homes and businesses on the historic square in Washington, Illinois.

Seventeen participants toured the Washington Historical Society's Zinzer House and Doctor's Museum, the Ruppman residence, the Gross residence, and the Denhart Baking Company/Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Built in 1858, the Zinzer House is said to be one of the oldest standing structures in Washington today. Built in the Post-Colonial style with elements typical of the Federal and Greek Revival styles, the building is now home to the genealogical pursuits of the Historical Society and Washington residents.

Next, OLLI members toured the Village Doctor Museum, where they found a home furnished as a doctor's office appeared during 1900 - 1925. The office furniture and medical equipment housed in the museum include an examining/operating table, an instrument chest, medical bag, and dozens of medical tools used by Drs. Harley Zinser and Lee Monroe.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Walter and Joan Ruppman and Tom and Judy Gross, we were able to walk through two homes listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Ruppman residence, which has undergone extensive exterior and interior restoration since 1999, is an 1884 Victorian that was used as a funeral home from 1936 to 1999. The 5,000 square-foot property includes bedrooms decorated with appropriate Victorian wallpaper and area rugs, pocket doors with wheel-cut glass inserts, a grand front porch, gourmet kitchen, and carriage house.

After a tour of her private home, Judy Gross hosted our group for lunch at the Denhart Baking Company and Restaurant. In 2003, she and her husband Tom purchased the former Denhart Bank building, and spent the next several years restoring the bank and its two adjacent buildings. OLLI members were treated to a delicious lunch and private tour of the restaurant and inn.

OLLI thanks the Washington Historical Society, the Ruppman Family, and the Gross Family for providing a wonderful day of learning!

For more information about the sites visited, please log onto:

www.waltercruppman.com and www.denhartbakingcompany.com.