Mark Twain's River Town Journey
A Victorian Homes Tour
Located in Elmira, NY
Take our summer Friday Lunch Tour or schedule your own private tour 7 days a week.
ENJOY Mark Twain's River Town Journey
FRIDAY'S LUNCH TOUR AT 11 AM
DATE EVERY Friday April 25th till September 26th OR Reserve your own private tours 7 days a week.
ABOUT The Victorian Classic Tour. High Victorian at her best!
Upon leaving the Community Book Store we first visit the Mark Twain Hotel Museum.
Featuring an Art Deco Hotel. Elmira of the Early 1920's.
We begin our Journey of the Near Westside Neighborhood nationally registered historic district. The first house of interest is a small cottage house, a small Greek Revival, which was owned by Olivia Langdon Clemens for her seamstresses. Also owned by Olivia is this impressive Italianate home on College Avenue.
We travel down West Water Street enjoying the homes dating from 1829
.
Early Elmira and her farms, the early prominent wealth of Elmira’s High Victorian Homes and architecture. Learn how these early farmers formed Elmira's Near Westside Neighborhood.

Coming back on West Church Street we visit inside High Victorian Homes. Featuring interiors that have extraordinary stained glass, woodwork, fireplaces, and staircases.

We also visit Grace Church a High Victorian Gothic Church.
Next door we view a proper and restored High Victorian Carriage House at Irelands Own Gifts.

Upon touring to First Street. Learn of these homes that were often visited and aquinted with Mark Twain.

At the Eastern most point of the Near Westside Neighborhood Historic District is J.D.F. Slee's home. Mark Twain's best friend. They called each other brother and J.D.F. Slee was one of the bearers at his friend Samuel Clemens funeral.
The tour ends in the park next to Park Church and the Community Book Store .
One of the prominent families that started Park Church was Olivia's Father Jervis Langdon.
Come see many more High Victorian Homes with some of Western NY most spectacular architecture. Lean of the owners and there history here in Elmira, NY.
FRIDAY'S LUNCH TOUR AT 11 AM
DATE EVERY Friday April 25th till September 26th OR Reserve your own private tours 7 days a week.
STARTS AT the Community Book Store . Located at the corner of Main and Gray Street, Elmira NY. Across the street from the First Arena.
TIME 11AM - ENDs approximately at 12:30 ENJOY LUNCH IN ELMIRA
COST ADULTS $10.00 TEENS $8.00 CHILDREN FREE Group rates available.
DRESS APROPRETLY
www.HistoricNearWestside.com will be offering Saturday speciality tours. Stained Glass / Fireplace tours. AND as always private tours, groups, and motor coach tours 7 DAYS A WEEK
VICTORIAN HOMES are decorated both inside, and out, so that the homes can be for every one's enjoyment!
You are visitor number
An example of a motor coach tour to be hosted by HistoricNearWestside.com On August 11th 2008, we are hosting the Landmark Society of Western New York. 3,000 member strong.
With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Elmira was selected as one of three Union Army Depots in New York State. In addition, a Civil War prison camp was built. The local economy prospered as never before by supplying the Army. In 1864, Elmira became a full-fledged city.
Elmira is the home of the Near Westside Neighborhood District. Located on the National Register the district is rich with architectural jewels and holds one of the highest concentration of Victorian style architecture in the country with over 450 structures on the National Register.
After our museum tour we will meet our Step on Guide who will give us a tour of Historic Elmira including the Near Westside Neighborhood. This is neighborhood is designated as having the largest concentration of Victorian style homes and architecture in the nation! The historic district has over 450 nationally registered homes in twenty square blocks! As an added treat we will view the interiors of several of these historic homes!
After touring several historic homes, we will have a delightful lunch at Horigan’s located in the National Historic District.
After lunch we will tour Mark Twain’s Study on the Elmira College campus. The study once overlooked the city from atop East Hill and still contains some of its original furniture.
Before heading home, we will make a fun stop at The Christmas House. This Queen Anne mansion features six decorated rooms beautifully adorned with a variety of classic Christmas decorations and gifts. You may even want to do a bit of early holiday shopping!
The City Of Elmira - Victorian Elegance and more
Join us for the day on Friday, September 19, 2008 , as we travel by motor coach into the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains to spend the day in the historic city of Elmira.
Upon our arrival, we will visit the Arnot Art Museum. The museum is housed in an 1833 neo-classical home of the Arnot family. The collection includes 17th, 18th and 19TH century paintings as well as 19TH and 20TH century American art and bronze sculpture.
Join me in Victorian urban adventure touring inside some of Elmira's historic homes and sites.
For more information e-mail www.HistoricNearWestside.com
Come explore with me 
Elmira, New York State, is just a short drive from major metropolitan area's and our
airport is only 20 minutes away.