Mobile Historic Homes Tour

Mar 5th, 2005

Mobile Historic Homes Tour returns April 1-2, showcasing some of the city's most significant architecture in private homes, sacred places and house museums.

The annual event is sponsored by Historic Mobile Preservation Society, which marks its 70th anniversary this year. Houses in Ashland Place and Springhill, St. Joseph Chapel at Springhill College, Sacred Heart Chapel at Visitation Convent and the Conde'-Charlotte and Richards DAR museum houses will open to guided tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15 per day, $12 per day in advance, $25 for two-day tickets, $22 purchased in advance.

The Preview Party is March 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Berney/Fly Bed & Breakfast at 1118 Government Street, circa 1895. The party will feature jazz vocalists Sharon Moore and The Debbie Bivens Trio performing separately.

This year's schedule differs from previous years in that houses and museums will be open both days for different halves of the day, to accommodate those who work on Fridays and to allow tours to move at a relaxed pace. The newly restored St. Joseph Chapel, circa 1909, will be open for tours only on Friday and Sacred Heart Chapel, circa 1895, only on Saturday.

Private homes on this year's tour are: 152 Tuthill Lane, circa 1853, 56 Oakland Avenue, circa 1830-40, 3702 Old Shell Road, circa 1860, 211 Levert, circa 1928, 213 LeVert, circa 1935, 2251 Ashland Place, circa 1906, 211 Lanier Avenue, circa 1908.

Tickets may be purchased by calling HMPS, (251) 432-6161 or by visiting the following ticket outlets in Mobile: Oakleigh House Museum, Ft. Conde' Welcome Center, Gillette's, Ashland Gallery, B&B Pet Stop, Berney/Fly Bed & Breakfast, Azalea House Bed & Breakfast and Kate Shepherd House Bed & Breakfast. Fairhope ticket-sales locations are: Page & Palette and Eastern Shore Art Center.

Tour sponsors are the City of Mobile, Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, Alabama Preservation Alliance, Keith Air Conditioning, Roberts Brothers, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Eastern Shore Center, SouthTrust/Wachovia and Berney/Fly Bed & Breakfast. For information call 432-6161 or visit www.historicmobile.org.