Explore historic Dalton homes Saturday, Aug. 10

The Hoenig-Suggs House was built in 1935 with bricks preserved from the demolition of Dalton Female College. / Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Contributed Photo

Historic private homes in Dalton, Georgia, that are not usually open to the public will open their doors for self-guided tours on Saturday, Aug. 10, when the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation holds its Dalton Expedition

The 23 historic homes and sites selected showcase the rich history and architecture of Dalton.

A Georgia Trust Expedition offers Georgia Trust members and visitors the opportunity to explore a Georgia town located off the beaten path. These day-long tours are designed to reflect a town's unique history and development by including a variety of historic sites, from homesteads to industrial sites to grand homes. Expeditions educate participants about Georgia's small-town heritage while celebrating ongoing preservation and revitalization efforts.

Saturday's self-guided expedition will begin at 10 a.m. with a brief orientation at Wink Theatre, 115 W. Crawford St., which was built in 1941 as a smaller version of Atlanta's Fox Theatre.

Following the orientation, guests may begin their tours. Homes open to visitors will include the Peak-Hamilton-Bethel House, an 1889 Queen Anne-style house that once belonged to Crown Cotton Mill president George Hamilton; Caperton House, a beautifully restored brick Colonial Revival constructed in 1910; the Whitehead House, a 1924 home that has been owned by only two families in 93 years; and the Hoenig-Suggs House, a Georgian Revival built in 1935 using locally made bricks preserved from the demolition of Dalton Female College.

Guests will also explore historically significant buildings and sites, such as the 1848 Clisby-Austin House and the Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel, made famous by the Great Locomotive Chase.

Tour participants may enjoy lunch from their choice of participating downtown eateries with a $10 lunch voucher that is included in the ticket price.

The expedition will conclude with a reception serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the Bandy Heritage Center in the restored 1911 Freight Depot building in downtown Dalton.

A variety of ticket prices are offered. Tickets are $50 for Georgia Trust members, $60 for nonmembers, which includes lunch and closing reception.

Tour-only tickets that do not include lunch and the reception are $25. Attendees under age 40 may purchase tickets for $40, which includes lunch and the closing reception.

Walk-up tickets may be purchased the morning of the event for an additional $10 at the Wink Theatre.

Proceeds from the Dalton Expedition will support preservation and educational programs of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

For more information or to register: https://www.georgiatrust.org/ or call 404-885-7812.