Posted Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Join Us for the March House Tour: March 14th & 15th
What the houses on this tour all have in common is a certain kind of Key West character that is focused on openness to the outdoors and oneness with nature that we can only enjoy this far south. The homes on this tour were particularly designed to take advantage of our uniquely beautiful weather.

If you missed the three earlier house tours sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation this season, don’t despair. There’s still one left---and it’s one well worth waiting for! The tour takes place March 14 & 15.

House and garden tours organized by the non-profit OIRF have brought out large numbers of visitors this season, and attendees have not been disappointed. It seems that as homes in Key West are brought up to date to suit modern living, and as makeover projects become more exciting, many of us are interested in taking a look at what has been happening with the lovely homes in this city.

What the houses all have in common is a certain kind of Key West character that is focused on openness to the outdoors and oneness with nature that we can only enjoy this far south. The homes on this tour were particularly designed to take advantage of ouruniquely beautiful weather.

OIRF, a non profit organization, has been operating these tours of homes since its inception 48 years ago. Monies raised from them and other events go towards assisting individual homeowners and other non-profit groups in the rehabilitation of their structures, with a view to preserving Key West’s unique architectural and cultural heritage.

The tour runs Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, from 10:00 a.m. till 4. Tickets are $25 each, admitting the visitor to all the homes. Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Oldest House Museum at 322 Duval Street. On the days of the tour, they may be bought at any of the featured homes. They may also be purchased from the ITT Office in Sigsbee Park, at both branches of the TIB, (3618 N. Roosevelt Blvd. and 330 Whitehead St.) during business hours, through www.keystix.com and at any of the homes during the hours of the tour. For more information, call the OIRF at 294-9501.

Home of Dr. Shirley Freeman and Harvey Server
724 Eaton St.

Home of Curt Douglas
1214 Olivia St.

Home of Bill Holt
920 Terry Lane

Home of Chris Bassett and Carey Alexander
901 Washington St.