The 50th Annual St. Mary of the Hills Blowing Rock Tour of Homes is scheduled for Friday, July 25, 2008. The one day event is sponsored by the women of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church.
Located on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets, the church will serve as the central location for the tour, from which transportation will be provided to the four homes. The first car will leave at 9 a.m. and the last at 3 p.m.
Tickets for the tour are $25 each and may be purchased at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, at the church office, or on the church lawn the day of the tour.
Complimentary parking and trolley shuttle service to town will be provided at the Hayes Performing Arts Center on 321 By-Pass. The trolley will depart every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The last return trolley will depart from town to the Hayes Performing Arts Center at 4:30 p.m.
The Golden Jubilee Tour of Homes will feature four magnificent Blowing Rock homes. Miramichi, meaning “happy retreat”, was built in 1927 by Annie and Joseph Cannon, in what was at the time, the new development of Mayview Park. This spectacular house, built of chestnut bark, stone, and shake shingles sits near the edge of the Mayview bluff, and overlooks the Johns River Gorge and all beyond. With clear chestnut paneling; chestnut round log banisters, railings, and door and window trims; and yellow heart of pine flooring, the interiors are unrivaled. Gwen and John Deakle are the fortunate new owners, who have thoroughly restored and updated as well as beautifully decorated this historic Blowing Rock landmark house.
Ron and Paula Withrow have devoted the last 10 years to restoring and rebuilding Shadowlawn, and they have given it their all, piece by piece. The large chestnut bark house, which at one time was inhabited by Governor Morrison, sits in the center of the beautifully landscaped five acre property. The magnificent old shade trees that shade the lawns, give the “estate” its name. Mountain lodges, from the Adirondacks to the Rockies, have been the inspiration for the interior décor, making this a home place for the Withrows to enjoy with their three daughters, sons-in-law, and a growing number of grandchildren.
The Cottage, Joanne and Bill Garrison’s “new” Blowing Rock home is anything but a “Cottage”. Yes, the dark green board-and –batten, “farmhouse” style home gives a warm and homey appearance from the outside, but the interior, with its forty foot long living room, that boasts twin stone fireplaces at either end, tells another story. It was made for entertaining large groups, as well as a cozy place for just a few. Beautifully decorated with collections of Majolica, Palissy, and Staffordshire, this home is a true “Showplace”! Nestled into the middle of a beautifully landscaped property with gardens cascading down the hill in front, the house also has the advantage of being within walking distance of downtown.
Molly and Mike Northern have chosen to give their three young children roots by buying one of Blowing Rock’s historic old homes. Built in the early 20”s, Chestnut Manor has all of the uniqueness and charm that you would expect from an old house, but it also has delightful young and fresh, but comfortable interiors. Created by Molly, an Interior Designer, and inspired by the best of French and English country design, the interior is filled with pretty fabrics, wallpapers, and antiques.
The Golden Jubilee Patron’s Party will be held Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at “Golden Hill”, the Mayview residence of Ed Springs and Bo Henderson, who will host the black tie optional event. Reservations are required for the Patron’s Party, $150 per person, which includes one Tour of Homes ticket. Please make your check payable to St. Mary of the Hills Tour of Homes and mail to P.O. Box 1882, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
The gala week-end continues the morning after the Tour of Homes on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock, “Glorious Homes & Gardens (a morning at the Hayes)”. Tickets for the morning event are $50 each and can be purchased in advance at the Blowing Rock Visitors Center or at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Parish. The morning will begin at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast provided in the lobby by the Gideon Ridge Inn. At 9 a.m. the program will begin in the main theatre featuring presentations with slides by renowned landscaping and gardening expert, Hunter Stubbs, and by internationally acclaimed interior designer, Barry Dixon.
The Tour of Homes is a community effort and 70% of the net proceeds from the Tour of Homes events will be distributed to regional charitable organizations. For more tour information, please call St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church 828-295-8663.