The Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation”s second annual Fall Tour of Homes Oct. 1-3 ushers in autumn and a diverse display of antebellum and Victorian design. From cottages to grand mansions, 13 homes will welcome visitors touring some of the South”s finest architectural gems.
With three National Register Districts containing almost 650 properties, Columbus boasts one of the greatest concentrations of 19th century structures in the state — a virtually complete record of American building styles from the 1820s through the 1900s.
“Fall — and we will experience fall temperatures next week — is a beautiful time of the year to visit Columbus,” said Heritage Foundation Manager Nancy Carpenter. “And the view from atop the city”s authentic British red double decker bus is most impressive.”
While many of the tour homes are familiar from pilgrimages past, the 2010 fall version includes a peek inside the 1907 Jackie O House, on its first-ever tour, and the circa 1900 Summer Time Cottage of Dr. Jim DelPrince.
Jackie O House
Originally built by T.G. Owen, the brick dwelling at the end of Ninth Street South was purchased by Roxanne Ferreiro of Massachusetts three years ago. It has since been placed on the National Registry of Historic Places and now operates as a bed and breakfast.
“Chris Chain did all the renovations on the house and did a great job,” said manager Cathy Griffith. The interior of this home with six rooms, each with private bath, features neo-classical furnishings.
“Everyone always wants to know how, after its most recent purchase, the house came to be named Jackie O,” smiled Griffith. “Well, it was named after the owner”s daughter, Jackie, who is now 13 years old.”
The livin” is easy
Summer Time Cottage on Third Avenue South has been the home of Mississippi State University professor of floral design Jim DelPrince, Ph.D.., for 10 years.
The cottage”s name was inspired by the Summer Time transferware DelPrince collects, along with antiques from the late 1800s. He credits Temple Heights owners Dixie Butler and her late husband, Carl, for heightening his appreciation for older houses.
“I think some people who have the ability to preserve an older home choose to build a newer one. There are so many good homes and cottages in Columbus, and they”re in such good shape — why not be a part of something like that?”
On tour
Also welcoming visitors will be the Amzi Love Home, Bryn Bella, the T.O. Burris Home (”The Painted Lady”), Rosedale, Rosewood Manor, Shadowlawn, the Stephen D. Lee Home, Temple Heights, Waverley Mansion, White Arches and Whitehall. View the tour schedule at www.columbus-ms.org, or at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St.
“We hope everyone will join us and see why the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the city one of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations,” encouraged Carpenter. “We offer wonderful local cuisine, great shopping opportunities and several festivals unique to our area. Please join us as we roll out the red carpet!”
How to go
Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for military personnel and seniors age 60 and older; and $10 for students age 6 and above. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free.
Tickets go on sale at the Welcome Center Monday. Or purchase them online at www.columbus-ms.org (a small surcharge applies). For more information, contact the Heritage Foundation at 800-920-3533.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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