The Midway Woman’s Club is giving visitors an intimate look into even more interesting homes in the Bluegrass during its second annual Historic Homes Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8.

All sites are within Midway, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Homes chosen for this year’s tour were owned at one time by prominent families in Midway, including the Starks family, creators of Starks' Headache Powders; the Parrish and Roach families, supporters of what is now Midway University and distinguished Thoroughbred breeders; and the Hicks family, noted farmers and business owners; and more. Another star of the tour is the Benson home, whose interior has been featured on HGTV.

Included on this year's tour is the Midway Presbyterian Church, ca. 1870, and the nearby Sons and Daughters of Relief cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Midway, the burial place of veterans and several prominent African-American community leaders who were former slaves. The cemetery is also where famous horseman Edward Dudley Brown is buried.

Tour highlights:
Benson Bungalow, c. 1870s — The cutest bungalow you’ll ever want to see! Added to, updated and featured on HGTV! The home’s interior is designed by owner Judi Benson. Come and see what the outside of a house looks like from inside of the kitchen!

Starks-Thurman Home, pre-1835 — (shown above) Built on land owned by Midway’s early developer, Robert McKee, this house is chocked full of history. See how houses were added onto back in the day. This home was occupied for about 135 years by the Hicks/Starks family before sharing its charm with this new family. Richard S. Starks, who created Starks’ Headache Powders, a popular medication made in Midway in the late 19th century and well into the 20th century, was one of its residents.

Cooper-Wilder House, 1908 — See inside this American Four Square house, located on popular Winter Street in Midway. The house was built by an editor, owned by educators, lived in by members of the Starks family and Midway native personality Margaret Ware Parrish, and much loved by its current owners.

Hicks Home, 1923 — Built by Ben and Hallie Gay Parrish, this home has been loved by the Walden and Hicks families for many years. It was constructed in the Federal Style with a lovely front porch that begs to be sat upon. When Helen Hicks was at home, this house, sitting well off the road as you entered Midway, had a light shining from every window, looking like Midway’s own cruise ship in the dark.

As seen in the new film Midway to Love! Southern Equine, 1906 — We offer another look at this grand home and former Parrish Hill Farm, where several Thoroughbreds of note were bred, including Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic. This home, previously owned by the Roach family, was one of the most popular stops on the inaugural Historic Homes Tour.

Midway Presbyterian Church, 1870/1909 — This Gothic Revival beauty, constructed of stucco on brick, with stunning stained glass windows, has been a Midway jewel since built. The lot was deeded in 1840 from the Lexington-Ohio Railroad to be used as a school and a church lot for this new town built by the railroad. It is the only building that has ever been on this property.

Sons and Daughters of Relief Cemetery, est. 1876 — Midway’s oldest cemetery! It is the final resting place of veterans as well as former slaves who became leaders in Midway’s African-American community. Famous horseman Edward Dudley Brown is buried there in an unmarked grave.

Tour tickets are $20 with lunch ticket option (details below) and available online at Eventbrite, and at three locations in Woodford County: in Midway, Railroad Drug and May & Co. on Railroad Street; and in Versailles, at Marketplace on Main, 116 East Main Street; and in Lexington at the Rag Peddler, 250 Walton Avenue. Cash or check only at store locations. Limited number of tickets available at Northside Elementary School on the day of the tour, cash only. (An ATM is in downtown Midway at WesBanco.)

The Woman’s Club is also offering Tour with Lunch ticket, which includes the homes tour and a three-course gourmet lunch at the Holly Hill Inn, ca. 1845, in Midway, (not on the tour). Seatings at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Tour with Lunch tickets are $50 each (includes tax and tip), and available on Eventbrite only.

Number of tickets is limited. Please note that houses are not handicapped accessible. The tour is self-directed. On June 8, the tour begins at Northside Elementary School, 500 Northside Drive in Midway, where ticket receipts must be redeemed for admission booklets.

No photography allowed.

Proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Club, a non-profit group dedicated to helping Midway families and the community.

For more information, please go to the Midway Woman’s Club Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MidwayWomansClub/, or email midwaywomansclubky@gmail.com.

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Please note: By purchasing tickets, buyers and their ticket holders agree that in no event will the Midway Woman’s Club nor any homeowner on the Historic Homes Tour be liable for any damages, injury or property loss resulting from participating in the tour. By purchasing this ticket, purchaser agrees that he or she understands that houses are not handicapped accessible, and that tour will be held rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.