This is one of our favorite holiday events. The hospitality and warm welcome of the residents of Fourth Ward is unequaled and always gets us in the Christmas mood. See our article on last year's tour,
here.
Below is the press release with the details about this year's tour. Don't miss the history section at the bottom to find out more about this lovely neighborhood and great holiday tradition.
The Friends of Fourth Ward celebrates its 37th wonderful year with a three-day event showcasing the elegant Victorians, urban condominiums, cultural institutions and historic places for which Fourth Ward is famous – all dressed in their holiday finery. The public may tour these luxurious private residences and historic locations on the following dates & times:
2014 Tour Dates & Times
Friday, December 5th: 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 6th: 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Sunday, December 7th: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
This walkable tour includes admission to 7 private uptown homes (including the rarely-seen historic Berryhill House, the flagship Victorian of the neighborhood), free food, beer and wine samples (while they last) at locations along the tour route, plus special holiday surprises at the 7th Street Public Market. On Sunday only, guests may also tour the historic McNinch House restaurant and Victorian home, including the newly renovated private residence upstairs. Throughout the weekend, choirs and hand bell ensembles will perform seasonal music on the porches of neighborhood homes and tour-goers will enjoy free horse and carriage rides throughout the neighborhood, along with complimentary appetizers at participating center city restaurants.
Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour Tickets
Discounted, early-bird tickets are on sale now for $20 at
www.fofw.org. Beginning Nov. 10, full price ($25) tickets may be purchased online and at the following retail outlets: Alexander Michael’s Restaurant & Tavern, Park Road Books, 7th Street Public Market, and all area Brixx Pizzas and Dean & Delucas. Tickets are good for all 3 days. During tour hours, ticket-holders must redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the tour ticket booth at the corner of 9th Street & Poplar Streets in Fourth Ward, or at the 7th Street Public Market. The Ticket Booth and Market also will be the only location for same day ticket purchases. Additional tour information and group rates:
www.fofw.org.
Tasting Stations & Restaurant Partners
Vendors providing complimentary refreshments and tastings within homes or at official stops along the tour route include: Mert’s Heart & Soul, Rock Bottom Brewery, Allen Tate Realtors, Good Eats & Meets, Skyhouse Uptown and 7th Street Public Market. Center City restaurants offering complimentary appetizers to tour ticket holders who visit during tour hours include: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, The Asbury and The Wooden Vine. (Tour-goers must present guidebook to receive complimentary selected appetizers.)
7th Street Public Market
As an official stop on the tour, 7SPM will be open during all tour hours, offering complimentary cider & cookies, live seasonal music, multiple tastings, “Gingerbread Houses On Parade”, and terrific holiday gift shopping.
All tour stops are within walking distance of one another. Limited free on-street parking is available throughout the neighborhood. Additional flat fee ($5.00) parking is available in the surface lot adjacent to the 7th Street Public Market at 224 E. 7th Street. FREE horse-drawn carriages will transport tour-goers between the Market and the Holiday
The Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour is presented by Skyhouse Uptown. Supporting sponsors include Allen Tate Realtors, 102.9 The Lake, 7th Street Public Market and Charlotte Center City Partners. Tour proceeds benefit the non-profit Friends of Fourth Ward neighborhood organization.
History of the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour
Founded in 1977 by neighbors who visited each others’ homes to feast, sing carols and enjoy holiday décor, the Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour has evolved substantially in 37 years. In 1979, the event opened to the public and quickly became a successful fundraiser for the neighborhood. To this day, all tour proceeds benefit important neighborhood projects such as neighborhood beautification, preservation of historic landmarks, and public art, social and safety programs. The annual home tour is hosted by the Friends of Fourth Ward, a not-for-profit neighborhood organization.
History of Historic Fourth Ward
In the mid-1830s, Charlotte was divided into four political wards. The northwest quadrant was called Fourth Ward – a prosperous area that was home to merchants, ministers, physicians and numerous churches, forming a strong center of social and religious influence.
By the early 1900s, the trolley had expanded beyond uptown Charlotte, making nearby “suburbs” such as Dilworth the neighborhoods of choice. Fourth Ward entered a period of decline that continued until 1976, when the Junior League undertook a restoration program that fired the imaginations of adventurous urban “pioneers”.
Today, Historic Fourth Ward is an active, charming community of grand Victorians, luxury condominiums, urban apartments, parks and businesses, as well as cultural, religious and educational activities – all within walking distance of Charlotte’s thriving uptown business center.
