‘A Glimpse Inside’ Event Showcases Architecture and History in Ames
Published on September 11, 2026
The City of Ames Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) joins several other organizations in hosting “A Glimpse Inside,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. This one-day event showcases historic and architectural resources at 11 locations in historic downtown Ames, the Chautauqua and Ridgewood Addition National Register Historic District, and the Roosevelt neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public.
Collaborating partners include Downtown Ames, The Ames Foundation, Ames History Museum, and Old Town Neighborhood Association. The event has received funding through HPC, business sponsors, and private individuals. It was developed by the volunteer Glimpse Inside organizers.
“Participants can begin their experience at any of the locations, get a map, and work at their own pace through the experience,” said Sharon Wirth, Glimpse Inside chairperson. “All the locations are functioning businesses and homes, and each property showcases adaptations that were made throughout the decades to best fit current day standards.”
Glimpse Inside locations are: Cornbred Barbeque, 526 Main St.; Back Alley House Plants, 501 Main St.; Lott Music Studio, 401 Clark Ave.; Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.; Ames City Auditorium, 520 Sixth St.; First Christian Church, 611 Clark Ave.; Salon Roosevelt, 827 Northwestern Ave.; the Bergstrom and Wirth residences in Roosevelt Condominiums, 921 Ninth St.; Ewald residence, 1208 Park Way; and Lewis residence, 1002 Brookridge Ave.
Hosts at each location will provide additional information about the property, stories about how people connected to the locations helped to shape Ames, and details about how the structures have been preserved, restored, and adapted for use today.
For more information about the event, contact Sharon Wirth at sharonwirth888@gmail.com.
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Glimpse Inside organizers are Ames volunteers interested in preserving community historic resources and informing others about the city’s historic treasures. The 2026 organizers include Wirth, Kate Gregory, Shellie Orngard, Devon Lewis, Jason Dietzenbach, and Alex Fefjar.