SCAC Tour of Historic Homes: October 10, 2010 1 -5 pm
As the World Equestrian Games come to a close we bid a very special farewell to our visitors to the World Equestrian Games. Perhaps the Home Tour would be a perfect finish to your visit to the region. And for residents, this is a wonderful chance to see the interiors of places you might pass every day. Whatever your reason for being in Scott County, please join us for Scott County Arts Consortium’s Annual Fall Tour of Historic Homes. We’ll be showing a century wide range of historic Georgetown buildings.
The newly opened Magnolia Inn at 320 E. Main dates to the late 1700s. It is one of a few of Georgetown’s early Kentucky buildings that has managed to retain its historic integrity. Just a block east of the major town center, it is a beautiful buff brick with black shutters; it’s a very inviting Bed & Breakfast. Owned by Colleen London, proprietor of the popular Lock & Key Coffee House.
It is well worth a drive out Frankfort Pike to tour the very beautiful St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. It is Scott County’s oldest example of ecclesiastical architecture, dating to 1815. You might want to make this your first stop as it will close at 3:30 that afternoon for a 4:00 meeting. Dominican priests from the Springfield motherhouse oversaw construction of the Kentucky federal church with Gothic Revival accents and an onion dome crowned bell tower. The other crowning features include the very fine Flemish Bond brick work with contrasting mortar joints on the three main facades, the later common bond semi-circular apse probably built at the time that Benedictine friars constructed the high altar with its period painting of the crucifixion, the pair of elliptical stairways leading to the loft, and the Gothic arched windows on either side. This lovely church is a jewel and is used almost daily to serve the local Georgetown and Scott County parish. Across the highway is the very old cemetery which is open to visitors.
The James W. Offutt House at 614 E. Main, 1870s Italianate dwelling with Victorian detail, was home to the J. C. Ward family since 1930. The horizontal two story dwelling presents a façade that offers a Flemish bond main façade laid with contrasting mortar, elegant iron work, a period porch supported by square piers carrying a lattice cornice with modillions, segmental arched windows on the first level and round arched on the second, all with decorative metal hoodmolds, and a heavy roof cornice with paired brackets and dentils. J. C. Ward was a partner with his brother, Robert Ward, in Ward Brothers Mill, Georgetown’s last flour mill which was located in the historic three story mill building on N. Broadway presently owned by David Stuart.
The Lair-Waller House, 107 Montgomery Avenue, home of Kay Bohannon Vincent. The American four-square style brick and frame house dates to the very early 1900s. Among the notable features of this house is the combined brick and frame structural pattern – the first story is brick and the upper, frame. The dwelling is capped with a hip roof with dormers lighting the sides of the attic level. The lower story is spanned by a pier supported transverse porch with a gable centered roof. Second story windows are paired. Windows have tracery in the upper sash. This inviting comfortable home will welcome your company on October 10. Please come!
Skip across town to 319 N. Hamilton and visit the Nora B. and S. S. Jones House, now home to Christine Lom. This tall turn of the century Victorian house was constructed in 1901. This charming house retains the original poplar and yellow pine floors, original woodwork, a beautiful staircase, and is spacious with its very high ceilings. Christine moved here from California two years ago, and is delighted with her century old home and is greatly enjoying living in Georgetown, and is looking forward to further involvement with local activities.
Last but not least is the historic Scott County jailer’s house, now home to theArts & Cultural Center and Welcome Center. Built in the 1870s it served most of its life as the home of the jailers and their families. Located at 117 N. Water St. it has been beautifully renovated as a first class art gallery. You certainly don’t want to miss this building, and the gorgeous exhibit by the renowned American Academy of Equine Art, featuring a fabulous collection of paintings, sculptures, and drawings of equine subjects. The artists hail from as far away as New Zealand and Argentina, Canada, New York, Colorado, Kentucky and all points in between!
A SPECIAL DAY! The 10th is also SCAC’s 13th “birthday”. Participate in“Eat Your Art Out” as we celebrate Food as Art. On display at the Arts & Cultural Center will be delectable treats to view or purchase. If you wish, come next door to the ArtZone, 115 N. Water St. to decorate your own cupcakes and cookies and take a taste of Georgetown with you. A special thanks to Whole Foods Lexington who are sponsoring this event.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ann B. Bevins who provided the research for this article. Thanks, Ann!