FOREST CITY — The hands of time will be turned back to the year 1900 during the annual Puckerbrush celebration in Forest City. The 100 Memory Lane event will feature six turn-of-the-century homes, as well as the 1874 Trinity Church, which will be open for home tours from 1 to 4 p.m. July 15 on Clark Street in Forest City.

According to a press release, the public will have a unique opportunity to see the lives of the rich and famous — some of the area’s most successful doctors, lawyers, bankers and entrepreneurs from the 1880 to 1905 era.

Homes included are the Mansion Museum, the Rebecca Clark Victorian, the Robert Plummer Victorian house, Dr. Potter’s home — which was also a hospital —the Thompson Home south of Immanuel Church and the Valley-Kuns home on North Clark. Some of the homes feature servants quarters. 

Amongst these homes, visitors will be able to experience gospel music in Trinity Church, which has been on the same property for 143 years and is the oldest building in Winnebago County.  Headlining singers will be Calling Home — a girl’s trio — and Higher Call — a men’s quartet from Minneapolis.

The 1900 Mansion Museum, with its three floors of exhibits, will also be open for tours and will feature latest in local history books, including new releases of two Pilot Knob books and its legends.

On the closed streets, there will be horses and carriages giving rides and a pre-World War II show and shine car and truck display. Sigs Band will play and refreshments will be on hand for sale.

Eventgoers are encouraged to visit the Iowa History Traveling Museum during this 1900 experience as well.

The 38-foot converted Winnebago is loaded with rich Iowa historical artifacts from the Iowa Historical Association located in Des Moines. Admittance to this traveling memorabilia is free.

The 1900 Memory Lane event is the major fundraiser for the Winnebago Historical Society, which includes Heritage Park, the Mansion Museum, the 1874 Trinity Church and Leibrand/Whiteis Research Library. Cost of the event is $10 per person and youth under 12 are free. All building venues, including the church, require a wristband for entry, which can be purchased on the lawn of the Mansion Museum starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Wristbands will also be available for $10 on a limited basis at each individual home.

“Our area is fortunate to have these many quality homes open for public viewing at one time,” said  Riley Lewis, president of the Historical Society. “It will be a great experience for families to see, experience and hear the history of the Forest city area.  Events like this rarely happen with so many opportunities at such a great cost. There is something for all ages to enjoy and learn.”

More details of 1900 Memory Lane can be seen on Facebook on the Winnebago Historical Society page.