Anyone who enjoys taking a peek inside the homes of others will get a chance to do so this weekend at: Landmarks of Longview XIV, an Architectural Home Tour.
The event is an annual fundraiser for the Gregg County Historical Museum. This year’s tour focuses on the Forest Hills Subdivision, located off of Judson Road between Pegues Place and Marshall Avenue, said Debbie Hancock, committee chair.
“This is our third year of concentrating on a particular neighborhood,” Hancock said. “We’ve found that makes it easier for everybody, instead of having the homes on the tour spread out all over Longview.”
The homes on this year’s tour are: the Ruff home, 200 Sunset Dr., the Salmon home, 1111 Yates Dr., the Wells home, 1115 Yates Dr., and the Goolsby home, 1205 Yates Dr.
While a shuttle bus will be provided for people who need one, the homes are all within walking distance of one another.
“The tour is a lot of fun and people enjoy it for different reasons,” Hancock said. “People who have lived here a long time enjoy seeing the interiors of a home they may have visited in their childhood, when it was under different ownership. Others enjoy seeing the architectural details and home decor choices.”
The houses date from different eras.
The Ruff home was built in 1938, the Salmon home in 1942 and the Goolsby home in 1952. The Wells home was built in 1987, making it one of the newest homes ever featured on the tour.
The Ruff home is built in a traditional Federalist style and is complimented by classic colonial blue gray paint. Many of the furnishings have been collected during family trips to various places around the world.
The Salmon home is a Greek Revival style house which retains the original flooring, windows, light fixtures and tile. The interior showcases and extensive collection of art.
The Wells home is a traditional red brick with black shutters and white trim in a Georgian style. The grounds include a sparkling, well-landscaped pool in a park-like atmosphere.
The Goolsby home is an expansive mid-century home which has undergone extensive remodeling in recent years. Additions include a new master bedroom, two cozy fireplaces and a complete renovation of the kitchen.
“They’re all different, but each house has a lot of interesting elements and beautiful interiors,” Hancock said. “The yards are also part of the tour, so people can get ideas for landscaping as well as decorating.”
The owners of the homes put a lot of effort in getting them ready for the tour, she said. In most cases, the whole home is open, although some owners do chooses to block off bedrooms or other private spaces.
“We’re expecting a good turnout,” Hancock said. “More younger people seem to be showing an interest in these tours lately and that’s always good for the continued success of the event.”
The Landmarks of Longview tour goes from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 during the tour; all tickets are valid for both days. Advance tickets are available at the Gregg County Historical Museum, Barron’s, Horaney’s, Louis Morgan #4, Pen and Company, C.S. Cutting and Texas Bank and Trust (downtown). Tickets will be available at all the homes on the days of the tour. For more information, call (903) 753-5840 or visit www.gregghistorical.org.
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