SPECIAL EVENTS

Celebrate the holidays with a stroll through one of Houston’s most delightful neighborhoods and take in the 2010 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour, themed Holiday Greetings from the Houston Heights. The owners of six distinctive homes will be opening their doors to Tour goers Friday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 4, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Each year, Tour homes reflect the rich architectural tradition of the Houston Heights, which maintains its small-town feel while located in one of the nation’s largest cities. This year’s tour includes a 1903 Dutch Colonial-style home on the National Register of Historic Places; a Queen Anne farmhouse built in 1897; a 1915 Queen Anne cottage that will be showing off its recently completed makeover and period antiques; and three recently constructed homes, including a stunningly transformed Colonial-style bungalow rescued from neglect.

Tour homes will be dressed in holiday finery, and docents will be on duty to point out the rich history, architecture, distinctive features and decorations of each home.

A STROLL THROUGH HOUSTON HEIGHTS
The whole neighborhood will be buzzing with excitement and holiday celebration. Come early, enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined streets, and take in the antiques and vintage clothing shops, art galleries, eclectic boutiques, coffee shops and world-class restaurants.

Houston Heights Woman’s Club will present a Victorian Holiday Market at the Heights Fire Station where they will be selling hand-crafted items and light refreshments. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy tickets for the annual drawing for a beautiful quilt, lovingly made by the members to benefit the club’s philanthropic endeavors. Membership information will be available, Saturday, December 4, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Mistletoe Madness is a great chance to “Eat, drink, shop & be merry!” Experience the live entertainment while visiting the many shops, restaurants and galleries in the area, Saturday, Noon - 6:00 p.m. First Saturday Arts Market will be set up at 548 W. 19th Street, the perfect venue to view original art, featuring artists from Houston and around the state; and Pet Adoptions on Heights Boulevard will have the perfect furry friend to take home.

HOUSTON HEIGHTS is the fabulous and festive destination of the season!
National Geographic Traveler recently said that the Houston Heights “flourishes as a destination for foodies, architecture buffs, and creative types (the neighborhood is said to be home to the highest concentration of professional artists in the state).”

HOMES ON TOUR:

Sam J. Blackman Home, 729 Rutland
Jay Wehnert and Victoria Harrison purchased this historic 1897 Queen Anne farmhouse known in the Heights as the Sam J. Blackman home. Mr. Blackman, a blacksmith, expanded this original 2 room house in the 1920’s and used beveled glass doors and fine quarter sewn oak floors to suit his wife’s tastes. The Blackman house is home to many family antiques and extensive collections of art and hand-made objects that spill from every wall to the yard and garden.

The Modern Craftsman, 1222 Allston
This newly constructed Craftsman style home was built in 2008 by Allegro Builders and 2Scale Architects. The seaside-inspired décor is fresh and relaxing the moment you walk through the door. The bright and happy kitchen is the perfect centerpiece of the home. With an oversized fireplace to cozy up to as well as a large wrap-around porch, the homeowners are set for all seasons.

The Wade Home, 1432 Tulane
Modeled after a home in the Garden District of New Orleans, this Colonial-style bungalow offers an amazing unobstructed view through the entire length of the home. Prior to 2003, the home had rightly earned the nickname “la casa de los pichones” as the only homeowners were dozens of wayward pigeons! After a major clean-up, the homeowner had a blank slate to work with and achieved a truly stunning transformation.

The Classic Queen Anne, 1629 Cortlandt
This classic 1915 Queen Anne cottage received a complete makeover in 2009. With the help of Bungalow Revival, a Heights-based renovation team, it was restored with architectural and period details befitting the age and beauty of this home. Period antiques were carefully selected for the renovation. The homeowner’s love of “all things Christmas” will be reflected throughout the home in celebration of the Season.

The Batterson Home, 1439 Harvard
Built in 2003, this warm and spacious home was designed by Walter Murphy with Murphy/Mears Architects, and built by John Galvin. The Texas-inspired décor accentuates the wonderful open-floor plan. Because the homeowner had grown up in the Heights, the house was designed with the spirit of this special neighborhood in mind and to accommodate a massive oak tree that you have to see to believe!

Batterson-Drouin Home, 1445 Harvard
This home was built in 1903 in the Dutch Colonial style and was the Emil Linderberg Home until 1933 when it was purchased by Clarence and Gladys Batterson. For the past 77 years, this Heights gem has remained in the Batterson family. Today the house exemplifies modern day comfort and eclectic style, yet still maintains its original footprint, floors and windows. The home is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

HOME TOUR TICKETS:
Advance tickets are $20 and will be available online at www.houstonheights.org and at several Houston Heights locations including Heights Antiques on Yale, Buchanan’s Native Plants, Bliss on 19th, The Artful Corner, Phil’s Texas Barbecue and Waldo’s Coffee House.

Tickets purchased on Tour days are $25 for all six homes or $5 for each individual home and will be available at the Heights Fire Station at 107 W. 12th and Yale Streets, and at each home tour home. Tickets purchased online may be picked up at the will-call booth at the Fire Station during the tour.

Holiday Bundle Special!  Ten tickets for $175 can be purchased online only at www.houstonheights.org  until noon, December 2, 2010.

Shuttle buses
Free shuttle buses will operate during the tour on both Friday and Saturday. Patrons may board the buses at stops located at each home and at the Fire Station, located at 107 W. 12th and Yale.

For More Information
For directions to the Fire Station and for more information about the 2010 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour, please visit www.houstonheights.org  or call the Houston Heights Association at 713-861-4002, Ext. 7.

Proceeds from the Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour are used to maintain Marmion Park, Donovan Park, and the Heights Boulevard esplanade park. Among its many missions, the Houston Heights Association operates and maintains the historic Heights Fire Station at 12th and Yale as a community venue, supports local schools with grants, scholarships and projects, and fills hundreds of food baskets around the holidays for the needy.