A recent visit to a bed and breakfast outside of Chicago inspired my latest Urban Times post on historical tourism. The inn was steeped in a tradition so wholesome that I almost felt as if I had been transported to another era. I was reminded that sometimes a person doesn’t need to travel far to see the world; they just need to look at their own world a little differently.
Below is an expert of the Urban Times post, but you can read the full article here.
If these walls could talk, the stories they could tell would boggle the mind. They would tell stories of bravery, sacrifice, and the ultimate risk. They would tell the stories of sordid criminals and the wrongly accused. They would tell the stories of ships lost at sea and harrowing tales of difficult voyages. If these walls could talk, they would tell the stories of cultural heritage, of pride, of rich tradition. Read more.
2 Comments
I’m duplicating my comment here, and adding a bit, from the Urban Times site. Why not?
This is great, Christie. I’m in Chicago a few of times a year to visit my sister and niece. I will make a point of visiting the Homestead Inn. I love the way you frame it: if these walls could talk. I wrote a similar piece (that you read) about the tombstones and how they talk to us about their history. I love wandering through historical sites and imagining who walked the same hallways. Who were they, and how did they live? I’d like to visit all of the places you recommend. I’m always in search of overnight places to go with my niece, just the two of us, when I visit Chicago. On one of these trips it would be nice to visit you.
Definitely let me know if you are ever in the area, Stephanie! I would love to get together. The Homestead is fantastic. The innkeeper is from my hometown and she is absolutely lovely. It’s the perfect place to sink into with a good glass of wine, interesting conversation, or just your own thoughts.