Tour will feature over 20 homes, churches, museums, and more June 10 through 11
Greensboro Alabama Business and Tourism Association announces the Greensboro Bicentennial Tour on June 10th and 11th 2023. In conjunction with the celebration of Greensboro’s incorporation as a city in 1823, this two day event will showcase over twenty historic homes, churches, museums, and other places of interest. President of the association, Stephen Barnette Jr, explains that this self-guided tour is a “rare opportunity to see privately owned homes and other sites not usually open to the public in one unique weekend.” The website visitgreensboroal. com offers details about the specific tour sites, as well as a link to purchase tickets. The website also includes information about other bicentennial events, notable Greensboro residents and a gallery of historical photos.
Tour times are Saturday, June 10th 9am-5pm and Sunday, June 11th 1pm- 5pm. Tickets are $25 for one day or $40 for a two day ticket. Tickets may be purchased in advance via the website visitgreensboroal. com or on tour days at Magnolia Grove located at 1002 Hobson Street. Magnolia Grove is an Alabama Historic Commission landmark and is featured on the tour.
Each week leading up to the event, the Greensboro Watchman will feature several of the sites you will be able to visit during the tour. Multi Flora was built in 1856. This classic Greek Revival home features detailed cornices, four square columns, high ceilings and a curved stairway. For anyone who appreciates decorative landscaping as well as history and architecture, the owners have worked tirelessly to transform the back porch and patio into an alluring sight one would find on a magazine cover.
Camellia Cottage was built in 1880 and symbolized the new growth in Greensboro’s post-Civil War history. The front porch was enlarged adding the twelve Ionic columns, as well as the porte cochere. Formerly occupied by the L.J. Lawson and Turpin Vise families, the house has seen a beautiful transformation with its recent owners who are also both artists. Tourists will no doubt enjoy all the captivating works of art displayed throughout this stunning home.
The Ward-DeWitt house was built in 1898 by Greensboro’s most prolific builder of the 1890s and early 1900s, John Straiton. It is one of the most imposing Queen Anne style dwellings in the county. The three-story corner tower with an onion-shaped dome dominates the 2 ½ story house. The current home owner has taken it on himself to paint and restore this pretty lady to her former glory. Guests of the tour will be amazed at the massive wooden staircase which is from a demolished home in town, Nelson Grove.
