Bill Bradberry looked out over the sweeping back lawn of one of Niagara’s most impressively restored historic properties and said, “Imagine.”

Bradberry, president of the Niagara falls Historic Preservation Society, is going to ask people to do just that when he leads one of the many tours planned for Saturday as part of the four-day Niagara Homecoming celebration. Bradberry will be asking tour groups to step back in time with him and imagine.

“Imagine this property before the parkway,” he said, standing on the back lawn of the Whitney Mansion which, with its imposing white entrance columns is considered the finest example of Greek Revival architecture in the Buffalo-Niagara region.

When he looks at the properties he imagines the industrialists and their families, strolling the lawns to the river banks or sipping tea on the expansive porches.

“As people became very wealthy doing what they did, they expressed and articulated that wealth in the construction of their homes,” he explained.

As a result, Bradberry believes the homes and their history are key to the city’s economic deliverance.

“It’s important to us to hang on to what’s left and to try and expand and replicate it when we can,” he said.

The building, which is currently houses the law office of its owner, Niagara attorney John Bartolomei, sits along the rise of historic Buffalo Avenue, offering residents and tourists a glimpse of the city in its heyday.

“We want people to appreciate and value the history in the city of Niagara Falls and what all this represents,” he said.

Bradberry will lead a narrated Victorian Era tour at 10 a.m. starting at the First Presbyterian Church, 311 First St. Visitors will be greeted by costumed guides Augustus Porter and his daughter, Lavinia, who were among the church founders and notable leaders of the City of Niagara Falls.

A second tour, led by city historian and preservation architect Tom Yots, will highlight downtown Niagara Falls of the 1920’s. Participants are asked to meet at 2 p.m. outside the Red Coach Inn, 2 Buffalo Ave. to glimpse the historic and the architecture of the United Office Building, the newly restored Jefferson Apartment Building, and the Niagara Hotel, currently being restored.

Cost for each tour is $15 per person payable to the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Both tours will take about an hour.

Other tours planned for Niagara Homecoming include:

The Mob Tours

This tour will include the most accurate information on Stefano “The Undertaker” Magaddino and his crew. Covering three countries, five states, and five decades, this 90-minute guided bus tour in Niagara Falls, will detail his life, his legacy, and the F.B.I.’s determined effort to take him out.

Tour cost: Adults, $25.00, Children 5-11, $15.00 and under 5 Free.

Wine and Dine Tour

A scenic drive through Niagara County will include wine tasting at three of Niagara’s finest wineries, views of Old Fort Niagara and Lake Ontario,

and lunch at the Wilson Boathouse overlooking Lake Ontario.

Tour cost: $76.50 for adults and $49.95 for children 5-11. Children under 5 are free. The bus departs from two locations: 12:30 p.m. from Burger King on Grand Island and 1:00 p.m. from downtown Niagara Falls.

The American Tour

This 4-hour tour provided by Niagara Majestic Tours will view or visit all of the following sights in Niagara Falls: Maid of the Mist Boat Trip, the Observation Tower, Cave of the Winds, Upper Niagara River and rapids, Luna Island, Three Sisters Islands, Goat Island, Horseshoe Falls, American and Bridal Veil Falls; Terrapin Point and Prospect Point, New York and Canadian power plants, and the Old Scow in the rapids.

The tour departs at 8:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from Burger King on Grand Island

8:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. from hotel locations downtown Niagara Falls. For more information call 285-2113.

Tour costs: $59 adults and $42.95 for children 5-11. Children under 5 are free.







Niagara Homecoming

Friday

Niagara Power Vista — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Job fair featuring networking and seminars.

Art at the NACC — 4-9 p.m. Open house at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center with gallery exhibits and “cultural experiences.” Free.

Niagara Power Baseball — 7 p.m. Sal Maglie Stadium. Niagara Power Game and autographs by members of former Niagara teams including the Bisons, Pirates, Rapids, Mallards and White Sox.

Saturday

Discover Niagara Falls Tours — The Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society will hold two tours including: 10 a.m. Victorian House Walking Tour and at 2 p.m., a “1920’s Tour.” Call 205-0287 for details.

Echota Neighborhood Open House and Reunion — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hyde Park Boulevard and Buffalo Ave. Bring a dish to pass. Free.

Real Estate/Energy Expo — 9:30 a.m. to noon, Niagara Power Vista.

Find out about area real estate and pick up free list of Saturday and Sunday open houses. Free.

Positively Main Street Festival — Noon to 8 p.m. Main Street. Street festival featuring music by the Junk Yard Dogs.

Sunday

Arise and Shine Worship Event — 4:30-6:30 a.m. Multiple churches from various denominations will hold a communal worship service with music as the Sunday rises on Goat Island. Free.

Brunch at the Aquarium — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Catered by Alps Catering. Adults, $15; Children 12 and under, $10.

Positively Main Street Festival — Noon to 8 p.m. Main Street. Street festival featuring music by Free Henry.

For more information, including a list of events taking place in Buffalo, visit www.citybration.com or call 990-1910 for more information.