Home Tour Offers Inspiration, Treasures to be Discovered in the Historic District
Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) hosted its 49th annual Home Tour on April 15 and 16, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy beautiful homes and other points of interest in the Riverside and Avondale communities.
Ten homes, a church and a local business participated in this year’s tour. The featured home was the nearly-100-year-old mediterranean revival residence at 3404 St. Johns Avenue, owned by Michael and Lynn Israel.
Michael’s mother, Judith Israel, was a first-time volunteer for this year’s RAP Home Tour and said she was very proud of the home her son and his family have created within the walls of the historic structure — from converting the basement into an apartment for their adult son to transforming the pool house into an in-law suite for Lynn’s mother — while remaining true to its historic nature,
“I’m very proud that they were able to do this and keep true to this home,” Judith said. “It’s a beautiful home and it is their home, so the house is lived in. It’s not a showcase; it’s a home. So that’s really important to me.”
Volunteer and realtor Jill Islava has been volunteering with the Home Tour for seven years.
“I think especially in Avondale, because there’s so many homes that are 100 years old or older, I think we’re really proud about our neighborhood and keeping it historic,” she said. “I think it’s important for people to see that. Yeah you drive by and that looks nice, but you come inside and there’s a lot going on here.”
Homeowners Glenn Jones and Ronald Episcopo have been volunteers in other people’s homes in previous home tours, but this was the first year they opened the doors of their historic and completely renovated home — built in 1911 — on Osceola Avenue and Jones said he really enjoyed it.
“I do love people coming into the house — like when we have dinner parties and things like that — and seeing the house because I swear almost every person comes in and says, ‘I’ve looked at this house from the outside but I never would have thought it looks like this on the inside,’” he said. “People just seem to be very surprised by the inside after looking at the outside of the house.”
Home Tour participants Jeannie, Hannah and Breanna Pierce and Patti Voght travel to Jacksonville every year specifically for the RAP Home Tour, this year rolling it into a birthday celebration for Jeannie. As owners of older homes themselves, they said they attend the tour every year for inspiration and appreciation.
“Homeowners gained a new sense of pride in their property; volunteers helped convey the history and architectural details of incredible local landmarks; neighbors from near and far had a great time walking and biking the neighborhood, enjoying great food and drinks from our local businesses along the way,” wrote RAP Executive Director Shannon Blankinship in an e-mail the week after the event. “It was a great weekend for everyone, and we are thrilled with the outcome.”
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
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