Raleigh’s oldest intact 19th century neighborhood rolls out the red carpet to visitors December 8 and 9, 2012, for its 41st Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. This year’s holiday tour features thirteen historic homes and significant structures, festively decorated for the season in Downtown Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood District.
The residents of Oakwood are very proud of its history, said Doris Jurkiewicz, chair of the 2012 tour and owner of The Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast, one of the properties on this year’s tour. Our past and continuing commitment to preservation is significant not only to the residents, but also to Raleigh and the State.
The annual tour benefits the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood (SPHO), the nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the neighborhood. The SPHO, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, was formed in 1972 when the State proposed to demolish much of the neighborhood to make way for the “North-South Expressway.” The SPHO held its first Candlelight Tour to allow others an opportunity to see and appreciate the interiors of these historic homes.
The Tour is a great opportunity to explore the unique history, architecture, and design of these homes, as well as a wonderful way to spend a little time in downtown Raleigh to celebrate the holidays with friends, Jurkiewicz added. The entire neighborhood really gets behind this annual event that opens our homes and community, and welcomes visitors who want have a peek inside these beautiful homes.
Tour tickets are available in advance online at HistoricOakwood.org and at select retail locations for $20 through Thursday, December 6. Tickets will be on sale days of the tour for $30 at The Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast. The tour is held, rain or shine, 1:00-7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, 2012.
Post provided by Sandy Scherer.