Holiday Homes Tour 2

Next on our tour is the Calvert Hunt home, 1904. Undoubtedly the finest example of Arts and Crafts architecture and furnishings in the city, if not the state. Lovingly restored by homeowners Bill Stout and Chris Granger this house had not been open to the public since 1912. Although it looks somewhat like concrete, the exterior is flat limestone. On our virtual tour pay particular attention to the doorways... that are intentionally non-rectangular. More Egyptian than anything. The view below is looking north from along side the front entrance.
Below, looking west into the dining room.

Above, north again up the staircase to the landing.
Notice the recessed lighting panels along the top of the curved walls. Almost everything in this home is original.
Above, looking up to the second floor.
Main entryway... this view is south.
Living room above and behind this view is the delightful nook below. Note the ceilings on either side... painted canvas. Detail below.
Benches are newly upholstered... original fabric was crimson. Restored painted canvas below. Extensive water damage had occurred in this area.

Office/den/library.
Beautiful glass throughout the house.
Dining room above. Sorry for the list to port... I was very close to the table with an extreme wide angle lens.

The above home was built in 1905 for Banker Nathan English. It's an all-brick home built in the Prairie Style. It has eight bedrooms, two and a half baths and a fireplace on every floor. The current owners, David and Carrie Kolwyck have continued the restoration of this wonderful home.

Front door, above, festive and inviting.
Gorgeous entry hall with wonderful original fixture.
Front parlor on the west side of the entryway. The house faces north fronting on Gladstone Boulevard and sits on land purchased from the Scarritt family.
Living room on the east side of the entryway with one of the many fireplaces.
Looking south from the living room toward the dining area with one of the pocket doors closed.
Above, the dining room.
I can see Sunday breakfast below and Sunday dinner above.... although I have no inside information.

Below, the refrigerator, far right, is located directly in front of the block ice delivery area... kind of fitting methinks. Tomorrow the final tour home and a look inside Melrose Methodist Church with some shots of a great choir performance.

Holidays In Historic Northeast

Last Sunday was the Holiday Homes Tour in Scarritt Renaissance. Five homes, decorated for the holidays, were on the tour along with the Kansas City Museum and Melrose Methodist Church. Over the next three days I'll post photos from the event. This tour was a benefit for the Good Samaritan Project. Congratulations to Bob Robinson, Chair of the Tour, for pulling it all together and to all the people who worked so hard to pull it off... it ain't easy!

Below shingle style built in 1900 for Rollins M. Hockaday. Includes eight fireplaces and original art glass windows. Current owners Michael and Holly Anderson have made it a warm place indeed.

Below a Colonial Revival home built in 1897-98 by Edward "Lucky" Scarritt. The Scarritt-Royster home has been occupied by Judge Scarritt's descendants ever since including the present owners Will, Carol and Carolyn Royster.









The families living in these homes did a wonderful job decorating them for the holidays and were very gracious to open them for the tour.

Tomorrow two more homes, 1902 and 1904. Thursday another 1902 Mansion and Melrose Methodist complete with concert pictures of the Kansas City Boys' Choir and the Kansas City Girls' Choir. They were splendid.

Fairy Princess Season is Here

With the arrival of the Fairy Princess, truly 'Tis the Season at Corinthian Hall over here in Northeast KC.
Scarritt Renaissance neighbors Mike Stringer, Jason Milbradt and Bob Robinson got decorations and put them up themselves on the Museum and on the nearby Benton Circle and Colonnade.

Around in back Helen will greet most visitors as they arrive to see the Princess. This entrance is on the north side of the building.
Check in and get your tickets at the Visitor's Center.
The Fairy Princess is holding court in the old Long carriage house which is in the early stages of renovation. Lots of room this year for mini-princesses to visit.


Some of the critters dress in Princess appropriate attire.
If you wish you can have your picture taken with the Princess... she doesn't mind one bit... this is Princess Dani. This is her first year as a real Princess. I believe there are four Princesses this year working in royal shifts. Princess Tiffany who is also helping is in her ninth year.

Princess Dani waves her wand with the help of her new little friend and the magic gift chest opens. There is a chest for girls and one for boys.

You can tell Princesses secrets too. They're very good at keeping them forever.

Kudos once again to Christopher, Rebecca, Andrew and the rest of the staff at the Museum for doing another splendid job readying the Princess' Court.
THE IGLOO IS BACK.... bigger and bluer than ever.... and is right across the hall from the Princess. Kids can go inside and explore and even peek through the windows.


No unnecessary wanding is allowed.... but practice waving is encouraged.

There is all kinds of neat official princess stuff too and only good can come from helping out the Museum by buying some.


Photos of past princesses are shown... back when the Princess held court at Kline's Department Store. Both fortunately and unfortunately Hyper is old enough to have been there... but I don't remember it.


If you have a photo taken with the Princess you pick it up on your way out.... there's a free cookie too....
The best for last. Carol Barta is the Princess Emeritus with the Longest Reign. She visited last night along with other past Princesses during the Holiday Open House. She's the tops.

For more information on the Fairy Princess visited the Museum website at : http://www.unionstation.org/kansascitymuseum/