Tour co-organiser Lynda Read said the women's Lions group had run fundraising house and garden tours in the past, but felt it was time for a new take on things.
‘‘We just thought we'd pick on something a bit different that might appeal to people,'' Mrs Read said.
‘‘It should prove to be quite an interesting sort of tour.''
Some of the properties in the line-up include St Andrew's Anglican Church, built in 1874, the Masonic Lodge and several historic buildings which have now been converted into homes - including the old courthouse, the old firehouse dating back to the 1930s, the St John's Catholic school and the former slaughterhouse known as The Shambles.
‘‘People are keen to see what has happened to a building that's been sitting for a while and all of a sudden someone does something to it.
‘‘If people attended the old Catholic school it would be quite interesting for them to see it turned into a house now.''
Mrs Read's own home will also feature in the tour. Her extensively renovated house was built around the 1890s and was originally owned by the Catholic Church. However, she was unsure what its use had been at the time.
The tour is to be self-drive. However, with most of the stops in close proximity to each other - with the exception of the former slaughterhouse - walking from point to point is an alternative way to enjoy the sights.
An afternoon tea will be provided in the grounds of the Anglican Church.
The Lions ladies will give the money raised from the tour to Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch.
‘‘At any time a family from Cromwell could have to go to Christchurch for whatever reason for a child and it would just help the families out and it's a really good cause,'' Mrs Read said.
• The Cromwell Lake Dunstan Lions Club's Past to Present House and Building Tour is to be held on Saturday, February 21, from 1pm to 4.30pm. Tickets are $13, including afternoon tea, and are available from Cromwell Gardenland, Cromwell Butchery, Lynda Read on 445-1299, Arlyne Jackson on 445-0247, or any of the other Lions members.
