Preservation Resource Center’s 2011 Holiday Home Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Mary Hewes
Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans
504.636.3055 / mhewes@prcno.org

Lynn Long
L2 Media & Marketing, LLC
504.669.0576 / L2media@cox.net

Preservation Resource Center’s 2011 Holiday Home Tour
Celebrates 36 Years of Christmas Tradition in the Garden District

WHO: Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC)

For 37 years, the PRC has been a major force in preserving New Orleans’ cherished architecture and neighborhoods. Since Hurricane Katrina, the PRC has completed restoration projects valued at more than $10 million, including the completion of over 300 homes.

WHAT: 36^th Annual Holiday Home Tour –

This annual tradition kicks off on Friday, December 9, with a Patron Party in the beautiful home of Jim Perrier & Jim Ashbee located at 2618 St. Charles Avenue. Traditionally known as the Belfort Mansion, this two-story Greek Revival home dates back to the Civil War era. It became a popular culture icon when it was the site of filming for the ninth season of MTV’s reality television series “The Real World” in 2000. It has since undergone extensive renovations to return it to a single-family residence.

The tour follows on Saturday and Sunday and features seven Garden District homes, including the home of Anne Montgomery located at 2525 St. Charles Avenue. This house has a longtime and celebrated relationship with the Krewe of Rex, which is the reason the parade crosses from the “river side” of St. Charles Avenue to the “lake side” of the Avenue mid-parade. This address was once the home of Charles H. Downman, Rex of 1907. Ever since the reign of this Mardi Gras king, the current king has stopped at 2525 St. Charles Avenue to receive a formal toast, and to toast all the former kings and queens who have gathered there over the years.

Another highlight on the tour is the home of Liz and Terry Creel located at 3102 Prytania Street. This double-gallery Italianate treasure was built in 1875 and remained in the same family for over 100 years, until the Creels acquired it in the 1990’s. This home is of particular interest because of the Creels’ impressive collection of Mardi Gras invitations on display.

These tour homes and five other architectural treasures in the Garden District will be open on Saturday and Sunday for tour goers to see in all their holiday glory.

The tour also includes access to an expansive holiday boutique and a professionally catered café, located at the tour headquarters at Trinity Episcopal Church.

WHEN: Friday, December 9 – Patron Party

Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11 – Holiday Home Tour

9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. – Boutique

10 a.m. until 4 p.m. – Home Tour

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. – Café

WHERE: Self-guided tour through the Garden District. Headquarters will be at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Bishop Polk Hall, 1329 Jackson Avenue.

HOW: Purchase tickets in advance by calling 504.581.7032 or visiting www.prcno.org. On the day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at the headquarters at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Ticket prices:

§ Purchased in advance – $30 for PRC members / $35 for non-members / $25 for groups of 10 or more.

§ Purchased on the day of the tour – all tickets are $40.

Tickets are valid for either day or both days during the weekend of the tour.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

§ Informational tours of the interiors of seven private homes in the historic Garden District

§ Live performances by New Orleans musicians at each home on the tour

§ A holiday boutique with a wide variety of vendors selling unique artisan wares.

ABOUT PRC

Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC) was founded in 1974 as a non-profit organization to promote the preservation, restoration and revitalization of New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods. The organization has helped renovate more than 1,000 homes citywide by involving citizens in preservation projects and services that enhance living in New Orleans. PRC provides resources and education to convey the economic, cultural and aesthetic importance of historic preservation in New Orleans and throughout the world.

For more information about the PRC’s hurricane recovery efforts, including the homeowner assistance program, visit www.prcno.org or call 504.581.7032.

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