Holly Tour
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If
you think the home makeovers on Trading Spaces are
impressive, hang on to your newly-reupholstered seat because
you haven’t seen the half of it. The Mount Vernon Holly
Tour will not disappoint, showcasing the homes the neighborhood
is known for—massive confections owned by the Baltimore
elite of yesteryear—as well as exquisite row houses,
stunning public (although rarely open to the public) buildings,
and more. After seeing what it takes to restore and decorate
a home that tops 5,000 square feet, remodeling your kitchen
will suddenly seem like a walk in the square.
You won't want to miss the 2008 Holly Tour!
The
Sunday tour has several new highlights this year, the
result of feedback from tour patrons.
1. We heard you wanted more good music, so we are
pleased to announce that both the First
Unitarian Church of Baltimore (the registration venue) and the Basilica
of the Assumption will offer free concerts.
The organ master of the church will perform from twelve-thirty until
two o'clock at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, followed by
a two o'clock choral celebration by the Basilica Choir. A variety of
music will be heard in other places along the tour including the a
cappella group, the Hopkins Symphony Singers, and an elegant renaissance
harpist.
History
of the Holly Tour
The
Holly Tour was conceived in 1966 as a way to call attention
to Baltimore homes and churches at a time when Baltimore residents
were fleeing to the suburbs. The holiday tour quickly became
a community ritual as anticipated as the annual Flower Mart.
The tour continued until 1985 and then went on hiatus until
2002, at which time Mount Vernon residents rallied to bring
it back.
