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/

Holiday Homes Tour Teaser

Complete details on the homes tour December 13th in the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood are in the post below this one. But I wanted to give you just a tiny taste of whats in store for tour guests. This is the house of Judge Stevens completed in 1902. Current owners are Bob and Jeff who have continued the renovation of this 107 year old structure. It is directly across the street from Corinthian Hall (Kansas City Museum) which will be offering hard hat tours showing the progress of its renovation. I wanted to take about a hundred more pix in this great home.... but we have to leave some views for the tour. :) Enjoy.

There is much, much more to see in this house and the other 4 on the tour all decorated for the holidays. Free carriage rides, carolers strolling up and down the Boulevard, music in the homes and topped off with refreshments and a concert at Melrose Methodist.

One Homes Tour, Six Mansions & A Church

Another fabulous tour of mansions in Historic Northeast Kansas City will take place Sunday, December 13th and will also feature a concert by the KC Boys' Choir and the KC Girls' Choir.

The tour begins at 3pm with registration at 2:30 in Melrose Methodist Church (which is also part of the Tour) 200 North Bales, 64123. Other stops on the Tour are five homes on Gladstone Boulevard and Corinthian Hall, the Kansas City Museum, where hard hat tours will be given of the renovation that's underway. For more information click on the flyer at the bottom of this post.
Above, Melrose Methodist Church... original building on the west (left) 1889, addition on the east 1928.
Above built in 1900 for Rollins Hockaday.
Above, Calvert Hunt home 1904.
Above Scarritt-Royster home ca 1897.
Above, Judge Edward Steven's home 1902. Below, Nathan English home 1905.
Hard hat tours will be given of Corinthian Hall below showing the ongoing renovation.