Fairfax resident Patricia Fabio wants people to be aware that they too can contribute to historic preservation. Her home, the Donohoe House, will be one of the homes that will be part of a historic home tour.
"I think people need to be encouraged," said Fabio, whose home was built in 1884. The tour "gives people ideas on how people live in these houses. ... A lot of people don't realize you can adapt [these homes] to the 21st century."
The second annual Historic Homes Tour kicks off in Fairfax City on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On display will be five private homes and four historic landmarks.
The tour will include docents stationed at all of the homes, as well as period musicians and dancers performing at various locations during the tour.
Proceeds from the day will go toward the Blenheim Property restoration. Last year's proceeds of about $10,000 went to the Fairfax Museum.
"We had fantastic response to chairing the event. People came forward, and it was a wonderful success," said Historic Fairfax Inc.'s (HFCI) president, Hildy Carney, of last year's event. HFCI is also sponsoring this year's tour.
Organizers hope this year's tour satisfies both visitors and participants alike. In addition to the tour, Fairfax City will host an Art Walk throughout Old Town Fairfax as part of the Spotlight on the Arts Festival.
"We wanted to give back to the city," said Dino Andreatos, owner of The Constantine House and the Ann Elizabeth House, on why his family decided to open their house up for the tour.
"It's going to be a busy day in Fairfax," said tour co-chair Marjorie Peterson. "We're encouraging people to come to the homes tour, enjoy the Art Walk, and spend the day in Fairfax."
Moore-McCandlish House
3950 Chain Bridge Road
Built around 1840, the Moore-McCandlish House belonged to the Conrad family before the Murray family owned it until 1882. In 1882, Thomas Moore purchased the house, and Moore's only son, R. Walton Moore, served as state senator, U.S. congressman, and assistant secretary of state under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The estate of F. Shield McCandlish conveyed the property to Fairfax City in 1979. In 1983, the city returned the property to the family, and the property was then sold to Robert J. Lewis and R.O. Dickson in 1985. The house has been restored for office space.
The Cottage
3936 Chain Bridge Road
Ed and Nancy Prichard built The Cottage in 1948, from a house kit sold by the Adirondack Co. for $3,500. The house is an example of a post-World War II, prefabricated, ranch-style home.
The Donohoe House
3920 Chain Bridge Road
Newlyweds Stephen Roszel Donohoe and Susan Lindsay Moore built the Donohoe House in 1883-84. Donohoe owned and edited the Fairfax Herald, served in the state Senate, and in the Spanish-American War, he served as captain of the Fairfax Company.
The Barbara Lee
10537 Cedar Ave.
Named after the owner's sister, The Barbara Lee features a wraparound porch and collection of family heirlooms and antiques. Among the furnishings are a marble top rosewood table, Austrian china and Victoria-era fashion prints.
The Constantine
3732 Chain Bridge Road
The Jones family built the Victorian-style residence in 1910. Several additions have been built onto the home since then, each in a style consistent with the original building.
The Ann Elizabeth
3738 Chain Bridge Road
This bungalow built around 1917 represents the dominant style of homes built from 1905-20. The house features two chimneys and an original headboard double front door, known as a "Dutch door."
Other properties on the tour include the following:
The Ratcliffe-Allison House, 10386 Main St.
Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive
The Ford Building, 3977 Chain Bridge Road.