Design Evanston will host tours later this month of two curious buildings located just a block apart that members of the public have rarely ever been inside.
Dick Lanyon, former executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclaimation District, will guide a tour of the MWRD’s Evanston Pumping Station at 1455 Elmwood Ave. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
The Masonic Temple at 1453 Maple Ave.
Then at 11 a.m. Gary Langwell, facilities director of the Evanston Masonic Temple, will guide a tour of the temple at 1453 Maple Ave.
The pumping station was designed in 1920 by Chief Engineer George Wisner. The temple was designed in 1928 by temple member John Holabird.
Design Evanston’s Jack Weiss says that to his knowledge the pumping station has never hosted a public tour and the last public tour of the Masonic Temple was conducted several years ago by Forgotten Chicago.
After the tours participants will meet at Bangers & Lace, 810 Grove St., at noon for refreshments and conversation.
The cost for the tour is $10. Email event@designevanston.org by Sept. 21 to sign up.