Key West House Tours to Celebrate 50 Years of Preservation

From its cigar-makers’ cottages to its Victorian mansions, Key West’s architecture is as individualistic and unique as the island itself. Visitors can explore houses exemplifying that rich architectural tradition, as well as contemporary Keys design — during weekend house tours in January, February and March 2010.

Now in their 50th year, the annual tours are presented by the nonprofit Old Island Restoration Foundation, which was established in 1960 to promote the restoration and preservation of Key West’s historically significant buildings. The 2010 house tours highlight OIRF events celebrating its 50th anniversary of safeguarding the island city’s architectural heritage.

Tours are planned Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16, Feb. 12-13 and March 12-13. Each tour showcases five homes chosen for their contribution to the Key West community as significant historic buildings, creative renovations or examples of the Keys lifestyle. Tour participants will discover unique interiors filled with art collections and antiques as well as lush gardens and imaginatively designed outdoor living areas.

Key West’s Old Town contains what is believed to be the largest predominantly wooden historic district in the United States with almost 3,000 structures. Many were constructed by shipbuilder-carpenters and cigar manufacturing barons in the 1800s, so the island’s architecture reflects the building styles and cultures of its early inhabitants.

In part because of the OIRF’s work in raising awareness about the historic value of Key West structures, today scores of lovingly restored properties flourish as single-family homes, bed-and-breakfast guesthouses and museum attractions. The historic district and its restorations have drawn national attention and honors.

In 2004, Key West was one of the United States’ first eight recipients of the Preserve America Community designation. The award spotlights communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

In March 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the island city to its 2005 list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The annual list recognizes unique and lovingly preserved U.S. communities whose residents have worked to protect their town’s character, sense of place and historic and scenic assets.

During the house tours, OIRF volunteers serve as guides at each tour stop, informing visitors about each featured house’s history, architecture, décor and garden.

The January house tours are set for 5-8 p.m. both evenings. Transportation is to be offered free aboard selected Conch Tour Trains, or participants can proceed from house to house at their own pace.

The February and March tours are offered 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with visitors responsible for their own transportation.

Tickets for each tour cost $25 per person and include a list of houses and a location map. Tickets can be purchased the week before each tour at the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval St.; TIB Bank, 330 Whitehead St. in Key West, mile marker 30.4 in Big Pine or 2348 Overseas Highway in Marathon; Audio Video in Paradise, 2900 N. Roosevelt Blvd. in Key West’s Key Plaza; and Royal Furniture, 3326 N. Roosevelt Blvd. in Key West’s Searstown. Tickets also are available at any of the featured homes during each tour.

For more information, call the Old Island Restoration Foundation at (305) 294-9501 or visit www.oirf.org.