Butler is full of history, and people interested in learning more about the city’s storied past will get the chance to do so on a walking tour through town.
The Historic Mansions of Butler Walking tour hosted by local historian Bill May will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1. The 90-minute tour will have attendees walk about a mile along North McKean, East Fulton and East Pearl streets to visit some of the historic structures along them.
May said his goal is to share his passion and knowledge of Butler’s history with event-goers through stories, pictures and, sometimes, a bit of comedy.
“I want people to get a sense of their community and the people who built it and be entertained,” he said. “It’s not your high school history class.”
May says he’ll be featuring stories that connect the historic homes to famous people and events like Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.
“They are stories of their connection not only to the wealthy of Butler but their connections to famous people and events,” he said.
Among the 20 homes the tour will cover is Elm Court, the former residence of Benjamin D. Phillips, the son of T.W. Phillips who founded T.W. Phillips Gas & Oil Co.
The 9.4 acre hillside mansion, constructed in 1929 and 1930 by Harry Wimer and designed by Benno Janssen, is home to the famous Skinner Organ, Opus 783, which was refurbished in 1990.
May also teased that a story about a local murderer will be told.
Tickets are required to take part in the tour. There are only 50 available for purchase at $20 each, though May said he may increase the number of tickets available to 60 if demand is high enough.
Anyone interested in experiencing the tour can email butlerwalkingtour@gmail.com or visit the tour’s Eventbrite page.
May also will be holding an upcoming Merchants, Murderers and Movie Theaters tour of Main Street, though no date has been set yet.
