A Glimpse into The Past: Austin Home Tour 2024
Imagining how people lived in their homes over the past two centuries in Austin is truly intriguing. Even more captivating is pondering how present Austin residents inhabit these very same houses. This fascinating blend of past and present is the soul of the 2024 Preservation Austin Homes Tour, slated to occur over the course of a glorious weekend in various heritage-rich neighborhoods.
Preservation Austin and The Journey Through Time
In its 71st year, Preservation Austin, instead of focusing on a single style, district, function, or historical period, has chosen ten homes to represent the sweeping timeline from the 1840s through the 1960s. This means embarking on a journey from clusters of rustic log structures to uniquely individual, high-style midcentury modern artifacts.
The Two-Day Tour
This year, the non-profit organization, the champion of the city’s rich historical fabric, has divided the tour into two days, with five houses showcased on Saturday and the remaining five on Sunday. Alongside the home tour, Preservation Austin has also planned a block party in the historic Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District, to be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Peeling Back Layers of History: Houses of Saturday
House tours on Saturday include remarkable tour of the American Colonial Revival “Mabel Davis House” on Alta Vista Avenue, a midcentury treasure on Balcones Drive saved from demolition, a preserved gem of African American history on Givens Avenue, a symphony of stone and glass on Maple Avenue, and an evolved 1946 war veteran home on Breeze Terrace.
Sunday’s Historical Jewel Box
The Sunday list of homes features a two-faced Victorian surprise on East 10th Street, restored a 1925 Craftsman-style bungalow on Avenue H in the Hyde Park area, Crume’s architectural charm on La Ronde Street, a stunning log structure, the Moore-Hancock Homestead, on Sinclair Avenue, and the American Foursquare-style of 100-year-old Von Rosenburg family home on Bluebonnet Lane in the Zilker District of South Austin.
Conclusion
This is more than just a home tour. It’s a walk through the pages of time, providing a unique perspective on the societal evolution of Austin. It pays tribute to the resilience of old structures, the people who built them and those who continue to breathe life into them. While we step forward into the future, Preservation Austin bids us to take a moment to reflect, respect, and revel in the rich history that has made Austin the city it is today. Don’t miss this priceless opportunity from Preservation Austin for a firsthand experience of history preserved through homes. For more information, please visit preservationaustin.org.