BLACK POINT ESTATE IN LAKE GENEVA/ YERKES OBSERVATORY IN WILLIAMS BAY! Saturday, September 22, 2018 8am-5pm

Enjoy a day in Lake Geneva visiting one of the last remaining Victorian “Cottages,” Black Point and the Yerkes Observatory. The University of Chicago has announced that the Observatory will close on October 1, 2018.

Lake Geneva has long been a summer retreat for Chicago’s wealthy families. Step back in time to an era of elegance and experience the luxury of summer estate life on Geneva Lake during the quarter of the 19th century. Tour Black Point Mansion, built for brewer Conrad Seipp in 1888. See one of the finest examples of Victorian “cottage” style residences. This home, with its beautifully crafted wood trimmings and moldings, remains unchanged since it was built and contains many of its original furnishings. Enjoy vistas of Lake Geneva during your tour and stroll the landscaped grounds of the estate. Lunch will be in downtown Lake Geneva at Sprecher’s Restaurant, located near The Cove. Please pre-select your entree selection of Brew Pub Meatloaf, Turkey Club Sandwich or vegetarian. Non-alcoholic beverage and dessert are also included. Time will be provided for you to browse the quaint shops of Lake Geneva. Travel to Williams Bay for a guided tour of the Yerkes Observatory, considered “the birthplace of modern astrophysics!” The observatory was established in 1897 on Geneva Lake by astronomer George Ellery Hale and financed by businessman Charles T. Yerkes. The building was designed by Henry Ives Cobb and is currently a facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Chicago.

The group will be transported to Lake Geneva via airconditioned motor coach. The coach will depart at 8 a.m. from the Forest Park Baptist Church, 133 Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL. (Located 2 blocks south of the Green Line Harlem stop and the Oak Park Metra stop). Off street parking is available in the church parking lot.

Please note: This tour is being offered by the Chicago Chapter of the Victorian Society of America and the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. It is limited to 50 participants. Register early to secure your place.

TOUR COST for members of GCCVSA or Nineteenth Century Charitable Association: $115.00

TOUR COST for Guests: $125.00

Click here to register.

For more information contact Win Gerulat at 708-814-8210