Heritage Hills offers fresh look at historic homes

by Darren Brown, News9.com INsite team

OKLAHOMA CITY-- A fresh look at one of Oklahoma City's most historic neighborhoods is offered this weekend.  Heritage Hills is opening up seven of its turn-of-the-century homes to the public.

Barbara Mapstone is the chairperson for this year's tour, which carries the theme "Vintage Homes, New Spirit."

"Oklahoma City had a boom time probably from the late 1800s- early 1900s, and during that time a lot of bankers and lawyers located in this neighborhood and built these homes," Mapstone said.  "Most of these homes were built by the movers and the shakers of their time."

Natalie Shirley owns one of the homes on the tour.  She, like all the other homeowners on the tour, has made a commitment to preserving this part of Oklahoma City's colorful past. 

"An old house has character," Shirley said.  "There are stories that these walls tell."

Shirley admits the maintenance is time-consuming and costly, but also says she wouldn't have it any other way. 

"What you get back, in terms of preserving things going forward, tells a story to your family that history is important," Wallace said.

The Heritage Hills Historic Homes and Gardens Tour will be open to the public from noon October 25-26 from noon to 5 pm.  Tickets will be available on tour days at all tour locations for $15.  Advance tickets are available for $12 through Friday October 24.  Visit HERE for a list of advance ticket outlets.