Alexandria Garden District homeowners ready to welcome visitors on Holiday Tour of Homes

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·3 min read
The Queen Anne style home at 1808 White Street was purchased by Deborah Randolph and her husband the late Alexandria Mayor Ned Randolph in 2001. The home was built in 1906 and is the oldest home featured on the Garden District Neighborhood Foundation's Holiday Tour of Homes set for Dec. 9.
The Queen Anne style home at 1808 White Street was purchased by Deborah Randolph and her husband the late Alexandria Mayor Ned Randolph in 2001. The home was built in 1906 and is the oldest home featured on the Garden District Neighborhood Foundation's Holiday Tour of Homes set for Dec. 9.

Owners of five historic homes in the Alexandria Garden District are ready to open their doors and welcome visitors to the annual Garden District Neighborhood Foundation’s Holiday Tour of Homes set from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

This year's tour includes homes at 1808 White St., 2022 Albert St., 2123 Marye St., 1500 S. City Park and 3130 Carol St.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garden-district-holiday-tour-of-homes-tickets-757329140847?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR2IZZ2IOvY7BEPvvgn-HORKHCAFEK969cI66focXuJuOwM5oKfmnHQpzgw.

Tickets will also be sold on the day of the tour at First United Methodist Church, 2727 Jackson St. Whether purchased online or in person, ticket holders must have wristbands to enter the homes.

At each house, homeowners will be on hand to give visitors information and history about the home, its current residents and former residents.

  • 1808 White Street

This Queen Anne style home built in 1906 was purchased by Deborah Randolph and her husband, the late Alexandria Mayor Ned Randolph, according to a press release issued by GDNF. The couple knew would be perfect for their art collection and family antiques. Originally built for a lumber magnate, the home is the oldest house on the tour. Among its features are built-in bookcases and five fireplaces.

  • 2022 Albert Street

Constructed in 1925 under architect A.O. Bell for banker Walter D. Hill, this Spanish Colonial Revival home is now the home of Paul and Emily Smith. The release states that the original owner, Hill, was a movie buff who has the home modeled after a home belonging to silent film actress Colleen Moore. Both homes feature a stucco exterior, clay tile roof and a single-story solarium.

  • 2123 Marye Street 

This Colonial Revival home has been in the family of Bradley and Cat Drell since 1965. Bradley’s grandmother purchased the home for herself and her teenage daughters after the death of her husband, the release said. The interior has had extensive renovations, but the front exterior has had few alternations in its nearly 100-year history. During the time of the Louisiana Manuevers that took place in the 1940s to train troops for World War II, the house was divided into apartments.

  • 1500 S. City Park

Mark Gravel and Lisa DiMaggio have owned this 1970s Ranch-style home since 2008. Architect Charlie White III built the home in the 1970s for Camille and Evelyn Gravel. The release states “The home’s structure emphasizes the long, low form for which Ranch houses are known. A front portico with pediment suggests Colonial Revival stylistic influence, but the wide chimney reveals a mid-century focus on interior spaces that emphasize gathering and family.”

  • 3131 Carol Court

DeeDee and Wayne Savoy recently purchased this mid-century home. “This small brick structure features little other exterior adornment. A low-slung hipped roof emphasizing horizontal lines, deep eaves, and vertical wooden boards along the carport are the few architectural details that define this style,” the release said.

For more information, contact Annie Collins at annie@freedomtravelllc.com.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria Garden District homeowners open doors for Holiday Tour of Homes