Tour Historic Brownsville Homes and Churches May 1

Visit some of Brownsville’s historic homes and churches during the Spring Tour of Homes Sunday, May 1. Seven locations will be open from 2-5 p.m., for self-guided tours. Special treats include refreshments at First United Methodist Church and a Flower Festival at Christ Episcopal Church.

The tour stops include:

Brownsville First United Methodist Church (117 East Franklin Street)
The present brick sanctuary was constructed in 1899. Built in the Gothic Revival style, it has Richardsonian influences, such as the blond brick outlining of the exterior arches. It features a vaulted cross-shaped sanctuary and magnificent stained glass windows. The tour will also feature the recently completed state-of-the-art multipurpose building. Refreshments will be available.



Hutchison-Elcan-Lynn Home

 Hutchison-Elcan-Lynn Home (124 Church Street)
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the Lynn family is known for dressing in period clothing to greet their guests. This Greek Revival home with Italianate influences was built in 1867. Among its distinctive features are the plaster ceiling designs in the hall and parlor, which are said to be patterned after those at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and a spiral staircase.

Christ Episcopal Church (140 Washington Ave.)
This excellent example of Gothic Revival style was built in 1854 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original tin ceiling was installed in 1892 and the center medallion area once held a large candle chandelier. A Flower Festival will be presented in the side yard.

Temple Adas Israel (Intersection of Washington and College)
Located directly across the street from Christ Episcopal and also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the temple was dedicated in 1882 and is the oldest temple in continuous service in the State of Tennessee. At one time it was the largest synagogue between Memphis and Nashville. Each stained glass window has significance and the excellent acoustics in the building makes it a favorite place for concerts and recitals.

Bond-Meux-Livingston Home (611 Main Street)
Robert Bond built this home for his wife, who admired the style of the Grove Park Inn in Ashville, North Carolina. It was built circa 1912, and features massive stone columns, a side porte-cochere and a shed dormer with five transom-topped windows. The home has a grand center staircase and large spacious rooms with 12 foot ceilings.

Bomar-Martin-Richards Home (250 N. Grand Ave.)
Built in 1927, this home was originally a two bedroom, one bath English Cottage. Additional rooms were added in the 50s and 2000. The home features a hand-hewed stone fireplace and an eclectic style of decorating.



Banks Home

 Banks Home (924 Creekwood Street)
Completed in 2006, this plantation-style home was modeled after the 2002 Southern Living Dream Home. Inside and out, this classical house reflects Southern architecture with its plantation shutters, French doors, copper accents and a formal entrance marked by a pediment and columns. Inside the high ceilings and careful placement of windows and doors create a spacious effect. Deep-set porches adorn the front and back of the home.

Cost of the tour is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Advance tickets can be purchased at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, located on I-40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s, and will include a map. Tickets will also be available May 1, at each tour location.

The Spring Tour of Homes is presented by Hope for Haywood and Habitat for Humanity of Haywood County. All proceeds will benefit local families who suffered loss from the May 2010 flood and to assist Habitat for Humanity in building homes for those who live in sub-standard housing.

For more information, contact Tom Orr, 731-225-1728, or Sandra Silverstein, 731-780-1354.