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Home Sweet Home: The Azalea Home Tour opens its doors

04/09/08 @ 01:49:33 pm by archivesadmin

As human beings are instinctively and intensely interested in the lifestyles of other human beings—note: reality TV, gossip rags and the general voyeurism of the 21st century—it’s not a stretch to understand the appeal of a home tour. It is especially easy to comprehend when the homes are as distinguished and historic as those along the Azalea Home Tour.

Granted within the confines of Wilmington’s annual home-touring event is the opportunity to escape one’s everyday life and imagine what it might be like to live within the walls of a glorious downtown manison, a Neoclassical Revival-style Forest Hills abode or perhaps a contemporary garden home in the Beaumont neighborhood. The homes this year are brimming with inspiration for Port City homeowners looking to redecorate or those who simply appreciate beautiful architecture.

The homes on the 2008 tour span nearly a century, from the Williams House, built in 1868, to the Hynn House, built in 1963. The last stop on the tour is the Diamond Feed Store, a commercial property built in 1908, designed by noted architect Henry Bonitz, that has been host to Shaw’s funeral home, stables and a billiards hall, and a hub of downtown commerce (serving a grocer, dentist, bookseller, watchmaker and gunsmith). The property received a new lease as upscale condominiums in 2007. The styles of architecture range from enormous Italianate gems to Cape Cod bungalows.

Commencing the tour with the cutting of the ribbon—on Saturday, April 12th, at 12:30pm—will be Mayor Bill Saffo at the home of the current HWF president, Rodney Turner, and his family, 1103 Windsor Drive. Attendees can enjoy free ice cream from Dairy Queen during the ribbon-cutting.

The subsequent homes on the tour are as follows: King House, 2615 Hydrangea Place; Milam House, 715 Forest Hills Drive; Averitt House, 317 East Renovah Circle; Flynn House, 302 West Renovah Circle; Youngblood House, 1914 Nun Street; Dannembaum House, 221 North 5th Avenue; Williams House, 10 South 5th Avenue; Durham-Davis House, 322 South 5th Avenue; and Diamond Feed Store, courtyard on S. 2nd Street, 7 South 2nd Street.

Proceeds from the home tour will support the Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF), a local nonprofit organization focused on the architectural heritage of the Lower Cape Fear region. Since forming in 1966, its efforts have successfully saved nearly 50 notable structures from demolition and preserved hundreds more. Its mission is “to continue promoting historic preservation in the community through educational programs, exhibits, community involvement and revolving fund activities.”

The home tour will be held over the course of two days—Saturday, April 12th, and Sunday, April 13th—from 1-6pm. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 the day of tour, with an HWF member special ($10 tickets at the HWF office only) through April 11th. Tickets are available at the HWF office, 516 North Fourth Street; all local Harris Teeter stores; A Proper Garden; Blackburns Studio; Carpet Smart; Prima Day Spa; The English Garden; The Ivy Cottage; and the Azalea Festival Office, 5725 Oleander Drive, (910) 794-4650.

More information can be found at www.historicwilmington.org.—Emily Rea