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The 2024 Annual Tour of Homes will feature 6 private homes & a historic chapel near Downtown Burlington.

Brush off your walking shoes and mark your calendar for Sunday, November 3rd! Our 5th Annual Tour of Historic Homes will feature several beautifully restored historic homes on West Davis and West Front Street, an architecturally significant mid-century modern home, as well as a historic primitive church, all located in the downtown Burlington area.

 

The tour locations span from East Davis to Tarleton Ave, parking will be available at some of the tour sites but some walking will be necessary. Please note that the historic homes are not handicap accessible. 

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Tickets will be available for purchase on Preservation Burlington's website and at Wayne's Attic, 247 E. Front Street, Burlington beginning September `1. 

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Advance Tickets available September 1 - October 20:

>Preservation Burlington Members $25.00

      (Discount member tickets only available online and at The Salvage Shop)

>Non-Preservation Burlington Members $30.00

 

After October 21 thru Day of Tour:

>All member and non-member tickets $35.00

 

Please review our tour rules below.

Buy Tickets Now! 

Tour Rules

Because this tour includes private homes, please be respectful of the properties and follow these guidelines:

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-Some homeowners may request that you wear plastic booties over your shoes. Please comply with this request.

-Please avoid high heels as many of the homes have original wood flooring that can be damaged. 

-Certain sections or rooms in the houses may be blocked off and are not part of the tour. Please respect barriers and signs and do not opened closed doors.

-No pets are allowed.

-Private homes are not handicap accessible. 

-Photography is permitted only from the sidewalk. Please do not take pictures or video inside the homes. 

-Please silence your phone and step outside to take calls.

-Restroom facilities are not available at the homes. Please refer to the map for public restroom locations. 

-No smoking is allowed on the properties. 

-Please do not sit or lean on furniture or touch items, drapes, or walls.  

-Well behaved children are welcome with a ticket, but no strollers are permitted inside the homes.

-Please closely supervise your children at all times. 

-Tour goes on rain, snow or shine. 

-Tickets are non-refundable.

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Interested in Volunteering? 

We are always in need of volunteers during the Annual Tour of Homes. If you would like to volunteer during this years tour, let us know by clicking the button below! 

The 2024 Featured Properties

Each week we will announce a different property to be featured on this year's Annual Tour of Historic Homes. 

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If you'd like to be the first to know, make sure and subscribe to our newsletter below!

The Mrs. Barnwell House, c. 1964

The Mrs. Barnwell House was built by Architect Harold Leonard Cooler in 1964 for his mother-in-law, Flora Barnwell. Based in Charlotte, Cooler's 50-year career accomplishments included the Myers Park Country Club and 15 houses for Davidson College faculty.

 

Flora Barnwell’s husband R.W. Barnwell was one of the founders of Barnwell Brothers Trucking Co., which later became Associated Transport. The couple had 7 children. Like her house, Mrs. Barnwell was a modern lady. A native of Alamance County, Mrs. Barnwell was described as the “First Lady of Burlington” in 1967, when she received statewide recognition for her community service and philanthropy. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first woman elected as elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, the first city councilwoman and mayor pro-tem for the City of Burlington from 1949-1953, and the first president of the NC United Council of Church Women.

 

The Mrs. Barnwell house is an example of the Modern Movement in architecture which was after World War I through the 1960s. Modernism focused less on ornate details of historic architecture, and more on minimalism, functionality, and connection to nature. This style also reflects innovations in engineering, industry, and building materials (such as glass, concrete, and steel) as well as societal changes which focused on equality and accessibility. This classic one story brick home retains much of its original woodwork, as well as brass hardware, a full house intercom system, and fireplace. Inside, the many windows and porches provide a connection to the beautifully landscaped lot.

St. Athanasius Episcopal Church c.1879-1880

St. Athanasius Episcopal Church was built between 1879-1880 on a lot on Webb Avenue in Burlington donated by the NC Railroad Company. It was named "Saint Athanasius" in honor of a Greek church leader during the 3rd and 4th centuries. Designed by Johannes Adam Simon Oertel, St. Athanasius is Carpenter Gothic style, which is a style of architecture common in North America in the late 19th century that utilized Gothic forms carved and created with wood. This style imitates the stone carved features of Gothic architecture and adapts Gothic elements such as pointed arches, steep gables, and towers to traditional American wood frame construction.  

St. Athanasius has a brick foundation with board and batten siding under a steeply pitched gable roof. It’s four bays are marked by arch windows with four-over-four sashes and the arch of each window is separated into three glass panes forming a Y-pattern. A small rose window over the porch is composed of red and blue glass in a medallion design of fleur-de-lis and clover motifs. The alter window has three Gothic arched panels.  

When Holy Comforter Episcopal church was built in 1911, St. Athanasius was used as a chapel for the deaf and later only for special services.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Lewis J. Blakey House

This one and a half story brick home on West Davis Street was built in the early 1930s for L.J. Blakey and his wife, Myrtle. Blakey lived in the house until his death in 1945. L.J. Blakey worked as an executive at National Bank in Burlington from the time it was organized until his death in 1945. He was elected President of the bank in 1937. Mrs. Blakey was active in the community including the Burlington Book Club, the Alter and Rosary Society, The home features a side lighted entrance, three-bay facade, and screened porch on the east end. An original brick exterior garage with second story room sits at the back of the drive. 

 

“Catholic Society Installs Officers,” The Daily Times-News, Jan 5, 1949, p. 6 “Annual Meeting Shareholders of National Bank Was Held at the Bank on Tuesday Afternoon,” The Daily Times-News, Jan 12, 1938, p.10 “Rites for L.J. Blakey Conducted at the Home on West Davis Street,” The Daily Times-News, Mar 9, 1945, p. 8

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Dr. Thomas Wesley Patterson House, ca. 1894

The second house on the 5th Annual Tour of Historic Homes is the Dr. Thomas Wesley Patterson House on West Front Street! Built in 1894 for Dr. T.W. Patterson, wife Fannie and 10 children, the Patterson house is one of the few intact Queen Anne Victorians remaining in Burlington. Dr. Patterson was the first Alamance County coroner as well as a pharmacist, and treated children and women in private practice. Dr. Patterson died in 1904 and Mrs. Patterson died in 1949, but the house remained in the family until the 1980s.

 

The National Historic Register nomination lists the house as “Pivotal” and states “the house represents the affluence of the growing middle class as reflected in so many homes built during the 1890-1930 boom periods. The two-story frame structure with its T-shape plan and central hall features a profusion of late nineteenth century millwork, including turned porch posts and balusters, sawn brackets, simple bargeboards in the multiple gables, and a sunburst treatment in the eaves of the porch shed roofs. A one-story polygonal bay projects from the west elevation, while a two-tier porch embellishes the east elevation.”

 

The original floorplan is largely intact, excepting the addition of a second floor with two bedrooms, likely between 1900 and 1920. It sits on the original 1.16 acres.

 

When purchased by the current owners, the house was near demolition. Renovations include new roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural work, and extensive restoration to exterior clapboard siding, exterior and interior trim, porches and balconies, original windows, interior plaster, hardwood floors, and fireplaces. A new kitchen, full bath, powder room, laundry and utility room have been added. Other than exterior paint, all restoration work was completed by the homeowners. Work is ongoing to create an owner’s suite with a full bath on the second floor, a den and full bath on the first floor, and landscaping.

 

National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination, West Davis Street-Fountain Place Historic District

“Dr. T.W. Patterson is Well Remembered For His Work,” Burlington Times News, May 9, 1949

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The Fogleman-Jefferies House, c. 1924

This early 1920s two-story Georgian-style home was built by Andrew C. Mitchell for local businessman Theodore Fogleman and wife, Alma Stuart. Mr. Fogleman was born in Alamance County and started his career selling fruit trees across southern states. In 1897, he started a hosiery manufacturing business with George Fogleman and Dr. J.L. Kernodle. As a pioneer hosiery executive in NC, Fogleman was associated with the Fogleman Brother Livestock Company and National Hosiery Mills. In 1937, he founded Fogleman-Jeffries Corporation with his son-in-law William Jeffries, of which he remained vice president until his death.

 

The home was later the residence of the Fogleman’s daughter, Sara Fogleman Jeffries, and her family. The beaded wood clapboard home features a central hall, accented by  single-bay porch with a gable roof supported by Tuscan columns at the center of the five-bay facade. The one-story side porch has Chippendale-like balustrades on flat roofs, exterior end chimneys, and three dormers.

 

In 2020, the house was purchased by the current owners and underwent a complete renovation including new kitchen and primary bath. 

 

T. D. Fogleman Passes; Rites Are Set Tomorrow” Daily Times News, Oct 15, 1956, p. 12

National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination, West Davis Street-Fountain Place Historic District

The Fogleman House, c. 1925

This one-story brick home was built in the late 1920s. It was the home of Howard Simpson Fogleman, Sr. an employee of Sellers Hosiery Mill, his wife Willie Cates Fogleman, and their two sons. By all accounts, Mrs. Fogleman was small in stature, but was a vibrant and energetic personality who loved to host bridge club and entertain friends in her home. The Foglemans lived in the home until Mrs. Fogleman died in 1975, followed by her husband in 1976.  Extensive remodeling by the Foglemans included removal of the front porch, addition of an enclosed sun porch, and the addition of a half story (which added 4 additional bedrooms and a bathroom to the house). The home was later owned by James P. Elder, Jr., Elon alumni and professor from 1963-1973 whose legacy includes the popular James P. Elder Lecture Series.

 

In 2023, the home underwent a complete renovation of all rooms, including a new enlarged kitchen, new bathrooms, and refinished hardwood floors. Careful attention was given to preserving original details, such as brass hardware and woodwork. 

 

 

National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination, West Davis Street-Fountain Place Historic District

Taylor, Madison, “A Will to Lead: Estate gift by former professor Jim Elder ’60 grows endowed lectureship,”Today at Elon, August 3, 2021