A TIMELESS TRADITION

The village of Hinsdale is celebrating 150 years and what better way to continue the festivities than with the annual Kitchen Walk hosted by the Hinsdale Historical Society’s Women’s Board? A tradition in its own right, Kitchen Walk is in its 18th year and is bringing in new elements to mark this special anniversary.

The Women’s Board is paying homage to Hinsdale turning 150 by dubbing this year’s theme, Timeless Tradition—and the five homes featured are just that. “Once the homes were selected and finalized, Timeless Tradition was the theme that perfectly encapsulated the feeling that the Kitchen Walk co-chairs wanted to achieve with this year’s Kitchen Walk—honoring timeless Hinsdale homes and enforcing the importance of preservation and restoration for Hinsdale’s sesquicentennial,” says Lauren Kavanaugh, Kitchen Walk Co-Chair.

Like years past, the Kitchen Walk allows ticket holders the opportunity to tour the first floors of the featured homes. However, this year’s event is offering Premium Preview tickets, where ticket holders are able to access the five homes one hour earlier than trolley ticket holders and the general public. Additionally, local retail vendors will be inside the homes so guests can shop luxury items and view the high-tea, Tea Table displays—another new element to Kitchen Walk—all while enjoying and appreciating the home’s architecture, design and history.

“We are thrilled to welcome a local designer into each home to showcase an afternoon ‘Tea Table’ with their unique style,” says Stephanie Tuthill, Kitchen Walk Co-Chair. The Tea Table designers include Studio W, HomeCrafters, Molly Sikora, Lillian Gray and Haylie Read Designs. “Each Tea Table will combine the designer’s style with the home’s aesthetic to create a timeless design,” says Tuthill.

Each of the homes will host one luxury retailer offering items for sale that support the Hinsdale Historical Society. Retailers include Shop Anecdote, Socialvites, Game Set Style, Birdie Designs and Fumee Claire. Additionally, each of the homes will serve sips and bites from one of Hinsdale’s local restaurants. Restaurants include Gravy Lady, Il Mio, Nabuki, Fuller House and Vistro Prime.

“Following the walk, all ticket holders are welcome to attend our final stop at our premium sponsor, Airoom, in downtown Hinsdale for an exciting after-party,” says Tuthill.

Alicia O’Brien, Kitchen Walk Co-Chair, offers some helpful tips for ticket holders. “The Kitchen Walk takes place on May 12, the Friday before Mother’s Day, [so] it’s the perfect time to open your spring wardrobe—think florals and fun spring colors,” she says. Comfortable shoes are also a must. “Each house will require all attendees to put booties on over their shoes to protect the homes,” she says, “so a flat heel or wedge is best for the ladies.” Purchase VIP Trolley tickets. “Trolleys come fully served with a special VIP pre-party, amazing sponsor-filled swag bags, refreshments served on board and Trolley Captains to guide you through the day,” she says. “It truly is the most relaxing way to enjoy the walk,” she says.

“The Hinsdale Historical Society Women’s Board is a volunteer service organization dedicated to supporting the Hinsdale Historical Society and its mission to bridge the past, present and future by engaging the community with its history and architecture,” says Kavanaugh. “Its goal is to foster the appreciation of Hinsdale history and architecture through fundraising, education and programs, and most importantly, its annual Kitchen Walk fundraising event.”

This local fundraising tradition supports the preservation of three historical and timeless local buildings: the Hinsdale History Museum, housed in an 1874 Italianate-style home; Immanuel Hall, a simple carpenter Gothic-style frame church built by local residents in 1900; and the R. Harold Zook Home and Studio, a unique cottage designed and built by the architect himself in 1924.

“I have never known a town with such a passion for community, history and philanthropy,” says O’Brien. “Hinsdale is a very special place and the Hinsdale Kitchen Walk showcases a lot of what this town has to offer.”

For tickets, visit Hinsdale Historical Society’s Women’s Board’s Kitchen Walk website, kitchen-walk.com.