This past weekend Muncie held its 42nd annual Old Washington Street Festival in the downtown area. Every year in the summer heat, Indiana locals and newcomers gather for street food, live music, and goods that are handcrafted and sold in vendors on the street.
But this year, a new focus is brought to the Old Washington Street Festival- the historical house tour.
People who attend the festival can purchase a ticket that allows them to view homes along Washington Street, some of which date back to the 1800s.
Some of these homes are lived in by private owners which have been remodeled to fit modern standards. While others belong to the Delaware County Historical Society and remain in their original state.
To homeowners of these historical homes, keeping the history is essential to maintaining one of Muncie’s greatest landmarks. These homeowners often keep scrapbooks of their home’s history to show their guests.
A Muncie resident of 22 years, Dwayne Estes, believes his joy of owning the home stems from the preservation of the history it holds. He feels like he holds a personal connection to his home because he knows its significance, and he feels honored.
"It's really a privilege, and especially since because I have a history of the house and I know the people that lived here and what they did and how that goes so it means a lot. "
The Delaware County Historical Society also accepts donations through their website (www.delawarecountyhistory.org). All donations are 100% tax deductible because the society is a 501-C3 non-profit.
