Eight vintage homes in the Westerwood neighborhood will open their doors to the public during Preservation Greensboro Incorporated’s fourth annual Tour of Historic Homes May 17 and 18. The walking tour highlights stunning features of early twentieth century Tudor cottages, Colonial inspired facades, and Craftsman Bungalow architecture as well as unusual designs such as a Mediterranean-inspired homes and a Mid-Century Modern home. Participants will gain insights into local history along with artistic home design ideas.
“I think of Westerwood as our “Father Knows Best” neighborhood.” says Benjamin Briggs, Executive Director of Preservation Greensboro. “It contains the style of homes you would see on sit-coms from the 1950s. This is classic American suburban architecture with freestanding garages, picket fences, hardwood flooring, and linen closets. If pre-war architecture interests you, you will love this tour.”
The annual Tour of Historic Homes is the signature fundraising and educational event of Preservation Greensboro. Proceeds support the nonprofit organization’s many initiatives including Governor Morehead’s Blandwood Mansion, educational seminar and preservation efforts.
As a prelude to the tour, Preservation Greensboro is presenting a free lecture, “The Secrets of Westerwood,” on Saturday, May 3, 9 to 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church Chapel, 1000 West Friendly Avenue, adjacent to the Westerwood neighborhood. Jim Collins, an architect with offices in Greensboro and New York, will make a presentation of the various architectural styles, urban planning and important historical details of the Westerwood neighborhood.
Tickets for the historic home tour go on sale May 1 at Extra Ingredient 801 Friendly Center Road, Brown Gardiner Drug Co. 2101 North Elm Street, Blandwood Mansion 447 West Washington Street in downtown Greensboro and online at www.preservationgreensboro.org. Advanced tickets for non-PGI members are $20 and for PGI members $15 (only available at Blandwood and online.) In addition, guests may purchase a Patron Pass for the tour.
The $75 Patron Pass offers guests an invitation to the Patron’s Party to be held on Thursday, May 15 at Double Oaks, 204 North Mendenhall Street, which includes hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and Silent Auction, plus access to all the Tour homes.
Group tickets are available for any group of 10 or more at the PGI membership rate and can be purchased only at Blandwood Mansion, 447 West Washington Street in downtown Greensboro or online atwww.preservationgreensboro.org.
In keeping with the artistic flair of the Westerwood neighborhood, a Village Fayre has been added on Saturday, May 17 from 11 am to 8 pm. The Fayre is FREE and open to the public and includes food trucks, beer and wine sales, local arts and crafts vendors (most from the Westerwood neighborhood), live music beginning at 4pm, family and children’s activities. The Fayre will be located in the park adjacent to East Lake Drive between Fairmont Street and Guilford Avenue (East Lake Drive will be blocked during the Fayre).
Suggested parking is in the lower parking lot of First Baptist Church, 1000 West Friendly Avenue, near the intersection of Crestland and Guilford Avenues.
For more information visit www.preservationgreensboro.org, call 336.272.5003 or write tojkastner@blandwood.org.