The Historic Heritage Square is a Victorian city block located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, and is home to numerous buildings that today serve as shops, restaurants and museums. It's part of the Heritage & Science Park and all buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, offering a truly unique glimpse into history.
The eight former residences (as well as one building that was later moved to the site) have been beautifully restored to recapture the elegance of the time. All built during the Victorian era, many in the late 1800s, they offer a unique insight into life as it once was and stand as the only remaining group of residential structures from the original settlement in Phoenix.
Rosson House is just one of these buildings. Built in 1895, it stands today as a museum showcasing the beautiful architectural style of the time. With ten rooms all restored with intricate detail and with daily tours from knowledgeable guides, it's a great place to go to experience the opulence of the Victorian era.
Silva House is a bungalow dating back to the early 1900s, which also offers tours but is also used today as the Rose and Crown Pub. Stevens House was built in 1901 and is better known today as the Arizona Toy and Doll Museum, showcasing beautiful collections of toys and antique dolls from all over the world.
Teeter House Tea Room offers a fantastic range of soups, salads and sandwiches, all located in a quaint house built in 1899. It offers turn-of-the-century tea ceremonies on request, hosts special "Teeter Evenings'' and can even provide catering services for a number of functions.
The Hands-on Heritage House was built in 1901 and is today used as a companion education center to Rosson House. There are various hands-on exhibits and activities to teach people about Victorian life, and is host to numerous workshops, activities and school tours throughout the year.
The Pizzeria Bianco is located in the former commercial structure of the Baird Machine Shop, and the accompanying Bar Bianco resides in Thomas House, a 1909 neoclassical building that was moved to the site in the 1980s to save it from demolition. It's the only house on-site that isn't one of the original eight. The remaining structures are The Carriage House and The Duplex, the newest house built in 1923 that today serves as offices.
The Historic Heritage Square is a truly unique day out that will appeal to people of all ages and interests, whether they're interested in history or not. With bars and restaurants as well as museums it's a great place to go to learn about the history of the area and to experience it for yourself, and with knowledgeable staff throughout the complex people are sure to leave with a new-found appreciation for the history of this unique city block.
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