Preservation of Houston Heights architecture on view in five historic homes at Dickens in the Heights

Houston, TX - Step back in time and experience a sampling of the various architectural styles of the historic homes in the Houston Heights at "Dickens in the Heights - The 2006 HEIGHTS HISTORIC HOME TOUR and Holiday Market." This once-a-year opportunity to view five historic turn-of-the-century homes that have been carefully restored is sponsored by the Houston Heights Association and is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 1-2, 2006.

Three homes on tour are on the National Register of Historic Places and two have been designated as City of Houston Landmarks. Architectural styles represented include Victorian, Prairie, Craftsman bungalow, Queen Anne, and a Colonial Revival that represents adaptive reuse for a business office. Docents will be available to point out the rich history of each house and features unique to the period. Costumed performers will entertain on the porches of these distinctive historic structures, and trolleys will be available to shuttle guests to each house on tour and the Holiday Market.

FEATURED HOMES:
905 W. 14th Street - Dowell Home
1418 Heights Blvd. - Harpole Home
1829 Cortlandt - Pieratt Home
1801 Heights Blvd. - Greenwood King
124 W. 17th Street - Virgadamo Home & 17th Street Community Garden

EVENT SCHEDULE:
Friday, December 1, 2006 -
Historic Home Tour & Holiday Market, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 2, 1006 -
Holiday Market, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Historic Home Tour, Noon-9:00 p.m.

"The trolley will be making a complimentary stop at All Saints Catholic Church, an example of the traditional Romanesque Revival style," said Sharie Beale, event coordinator. Nationally renowned for his painted icons, Bro. Robert will be available to discuss the icons he is creating for the church and will have small ones on hand for purchase.

NEW to this annual event is the HOLIDAY MARKET, located in the Heights Fire Station on 12th and Yale Streets. "We are bringing together artists, crafters and local merchants with fine hand-made wares, gift items, Christmas decorations and one-of-a-kind accessories. An artist will be available to do a pen/ink/watercolor painting of your home. Must-have items this year are Christmas ornaments hand-decorated by talented Heights artists and crafters. These are truly unique collectibles. Adding to the festivities, we will have food vendors with delicious treats for sale. We are looking forward to a fabulous event," said Beale.

Platinum sponsors are San Jacinto Stone and Allied Waste, and PrimeWay Federal Credit Union is the Winter Silver sponsor. Winter Bronze sponsors are Fiesta, Grogan Building Supply Co. and Harry James Building & Design.

Advance tickets will be available for $12 beginning November 15 at Buchannan's Native Plants, Squash Blossom and Another Place in Time. Tickets purchased on the days of the tour are $15. To purchase tickets for the 2006 Houston Heights Historic Home Tour or for more information, visit www.houstonheights.org or call 713-861-4002.

The Houston Heights Association is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Proceeds from fund-raisers go to maintain the historic City Hall and Fire Station (where the Market is located) which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as by the City of Houston, the parks on Heights Boulevard (Donovan and Marmion), the two-mile-long esplanade on Heights Boulevard (also individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places), and for other programs to benefit the neighborhood.

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