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February 9, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clay Wade
Director of Events
409-765-3403
Galveston Historical Foundation Announces Line up of Homes for 37th Annual Historic Homes Tour May 7, 8, 14 & 15
(GALVESTON, TX) – Galveston Historical Foundation will present the 37th annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour Saturdays, May 7 and 14, and Sundays, May 8 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s Coastal Style tour includes 9 houses featuring a variety of styles from an 1871 Gulf Coast Cottage to a traditional Craftsman Bungalow built in 1924. As visitors tour the homes they will hear about Galveston’s unique and eclectic architecture styles and the influential and everyday citizens that built the houses that still stand today.
Advance tickets for the tour are $20 each and $25 per person during tour weekends. Numerous separately ticketed special events are also being held in conjunction with the Galveston Historic Homes Tour including the First Impression Preview Sunset Tour, Moonlight and Martinis at the Garten Verein Pavilion, the 7th annual Linen and Lace Mother’s Day Brunch, Basement to Attic Behind the Scenes Tours of Bishop’s Palace, Bike through History, Sally Wallace Preservation Awards and the Antique Treasures Preview Party and Sale. Tickets for the 2011 Historic Homes Tour as well as all special events will be available online at www.galvestonhistory.org.
Over 700 dedicated volunteers assist each year with the annual event. To become a Homes Tour volunteer, contact GHF Volunteer Coordinator Becky Maixner at 409-765-3431. For other questions or more information, including group discounts, call GHF at 409-765-3409.
2011 Homes on tour:
Walter and Caroline Ansell House, 1871
3702 Avenue M
This five-bay-wide center hall Gulf Coast cottage with classic elements was built for Walter Ansell and his wife, Caroline. Ansell, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, returned to Galveston after the war and established the Texas Ice Company, shipping ice from Maine and Massachusetts to Galveston.
Lemuel and Julia Burr House, 1876
1228 Sealy
This elegant Southern town house, built for Lemuel and Julia Burr, is attributed to Nicholas J. Clayton, Galveston’s leading 19th century architect. Combining a mixture of classic, gothic and Italianate styles, the Burr house commands attention with two entrances and a detailed east elevation overlooking a deep garden.
John Charles Harris House, 1891
Restoration in Progress
3320 Avenue O
The unique floor plan and detailing of the 1891 John Charles Harris residence are reminiscent of designs from architectural plan books of that time. GHF recently purchased the property with its Revolving Fund to stabilize the house which was damaged by fire.
Edward and Sophie Drewa Tenant Cottages, 1895
2705 and 2709 Avenue O
These twin high-raised Queen Anne side hall cottages with tri-parte bays and colored glass were built by master plaster craftsman, Edward Drewa and his wife, Sophie, as rental property. Drewa was aided early on in his career by architect Alfred Muller, leading to the possibility that Muller may have designed the cottages for Drewa.
Joseph Goldstein House, 1898
1815 Sealy
Architect George Stowe designed this Victorian house for boot and shoe store owner Joseph Goldstein, and his sisters. The house boasts double galleries with a central gable and is unusual in being four bays wide rather than three.
L.W. and Rosa Senechal Tenant House, 1907
1608 Winnie
This two story double galleried house, and twin house to the east, was built in 1907 for use as rental property for the Senechal family, who owned and operated the corner store just to the east of the twin properties. The style of the house was popular in Galveston from 1880 to the early 20th century.
Morris and Rachel Wansker House, 1907
1817 Sealy
Built in 1907 for dry goods merchant Morris Wansker, the side hall house features stick style elements with classic overtones. During the 1970s the home was restored, and new front galleries were added to replace the original galleries demolished in the 1930s.
Carl and Hilda Biehl House, 1916
1416 Broadway
Carl Biehl, of the shipping firm Wilkins & Biehl, contracted with famed architect Anton F. Korn, Jr., to build this classical revival manor house. Korn’s interpretation of the traditional Galveston porch resulted in the glass faced loggia, adding privacy to the house while reducing traffic noise from Galveston’s Broadway Boulevard.
Alex and Hortense Shoomer Bungalow, 1924
3724 Avenue P ½
This Craftsman bungalow was built for Alex Shoomer, Vice President and General Manager of S. Sgitcovich Steamship Agents and Ship Brokers. The exposed rafters, brick piers and wrap around front porch are all traditional features of the Craftsman design. The pattern for the house was most likely from a builder’s catalog, popular in the 20th century.
37th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour Photo Gallery
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