“Front Porches: Reflecting and Connecting” Theme of First Home Tour in 4 Years
Historic Meridian Park, one of Indianapolis’ pre-eminent early 20th century neighborhoods, will offer a rare glimpse inside a number of its beautifully maintained and restored homes, as well as some of its gorgeous porches, gardens and antique cars, during the 2010 Tour of Homes set for June 26 and 27, from noon to 5 PM.
Located within Mapleton Fall Creek, Historic Meridian Park is bounded by Pennsylvania St. and Washington Blvd. from 30th to 34th streets. Tour organizers say they’re looking forward to sharing the splendor of their near north side community with the public for the first time since 2006. In particular, they’re excited to shine the spotlight on the front porches in their neighborhood, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We decided on ‘Front Porches: Reflecting and Connecting’ as our theme because our porches illustrate not just the beauty of our neighborhood, but also utility and social connection,” said Cassie Mehlman-Rhys, chair of the 2010 Tour of Homes. “Just as a kitchen serves as a gathering place within a home, a front porch serves as the same kind of place for a neighborhood. I’ve met many of my neighbors, and made many friends, by simply sitting on my front porch and greeting people as they come and go.”
Tour attendees will be invited to stop and take a breather at “welcoming porches” between their visits to houses. Antique cars will be found in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania St..; food and drinks can be purchased on Washington Ct.
Also of note for 2010, six of the tour homes have been restored to their former glory after being gutted down to the studs. But you’d never know it with the attention to historic detail that has been preserved.
One home currently in the beginning stages of major renovations will be opening its doors to tour goers.
“We want to showcase the sometimes long and difficult work that goes into maintaining and restoring homes that are more than 100 years old,” Mehlman-Rhys added. “Seeing a renovation project in progress is often inspiring.”
Among Indianapolis’ first suburbs, Historic Meridian Park is best known for its Arts & Crafts architecture, including Mission-, American Four-Square-, and Prairie-style homes; but it also features outstanding examples of Tudor, Dutch Colonial Revival, Italian Villa and French Eclectic styles. All of the buildings in the area reflect the use of natural materials such as brick, stucco, wood siding and tile, and they emphasize visible structural elements such as beams and large overhangs.
Profits from the 2010 Tour of Homes will benefit neighborhood beautification as well as ongoing neighborhood projects.