Around Town
Lynchburg Historical Foundation Tour features Rivermont Historic District
When the City of Lynchburg was incorporated in 1805, its boundaries did not stretch to the James River or across Blackwater Creek. In fewer than 100 years, Lynchburg Traction and Light Company had electric trolleys running up Fifth Street to the West End, and the Rivermont Company was developing the landscape to the north. This area is significant as Lynchburg’s first planned community with mixed residential, commercial and institutional buildings incorporating green space and a transportation system.
In the 1890s, as residential growth moved further out Rivermont Avenue, newer suburbs were laid out on and off the avenue. By the 1920s, a number of planned subdivisions within the Rivermont neighborhood had emerged. The many residents of these areas commissioned both modest and expansive homes in a wide variety of architectural styles, mostly by Lynchburg architects Stanhope Johnson, Pendleton Clark, and Craighill & Cardwell.
Rivermont Avenue was designated as an Historic District and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The Lynchburg Historical Foundation invites you to enjoy a tour of homes in this area on Sunday, September 25 from 1:00 – 4:30 pm. Homes include:
Dr. & Mrs. William Wheeler,
2236 Rivermont Ave. (c. 1911)
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Doucette,
2140 Rivermont Ave. (c. 1910)
Ms. Heidie Kunz, 111 Huron Ave.(c. 1922)
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Parker,
115 Huron Ave. (c. 1916)
Dr. Keith Austin,
2 Riverview Place (c. 1912)
The Historic Miller Claytor House,
2200 Miller Claytor Lane (c. 1791)
The tour culminates in a Patrons’ Party at the home of Don Lee and Brad Palte, 1534 Rivermont Avenue, from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. This home is not open for the tour. Tickets ($20 for the tour, $75 for the tour and party) are available through the Lynchburg Visitor Center at lynchburgtickets.com, or call the foundation office at (434) 528-5353 for more information.
Walk Through Time With Spooky Stories
Enjoy an evening walking Diamond Hill, one of Lynchburg’s oldest historic districts, with a guide that will delight and entertain you with stories of the haunts of days gone by. The walks will start at the Lewis & Clark Duplex at 416-418 Washington Street on October 20, 21 and 22. Tickets go on sale at 6:00 p.m. each night at the site on a first-come, first-served basis; limited walks available. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 years and younger. Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more. Sponsored by Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, this event benefits the Diamond Hill Historical Society and the Lynchburg Historical Foundation. For more information or to make a group reservation, call the foundation office at (434) 528-5353.
Local Decorating Business Wins International Design Contest
For the third consecutive year, local decorator and business owner Linda Edwards of Decorating Den Interiors has received a top design award from her company for her outstanding design work. This year, her winning design featured a totally redesigned contemporary style “gathering room” for clients J.W. and Elaine Burton of Altavista, which she creatively reconfigured into several interesting conversational spaces.
Edwards’ entry was judged along with over 250 other entries in two separate design contests: one held in New York City, and the other at the High Point Spring Furniture market. Over 30 home furnishings magazine editors from such publications as Better Homes & Gardens, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, House & Garden and Good Housekeeping participated as judges. Winners were selected based on their design excellence, creative problem-solving, and overall presentation.
Edwards received her award during Decorating Den Interiors’ 42nd Annual Design and Market Conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona, where she participated in classes and workshops on the latest trends in interior design.
Parade of Homes 2011
The fifth annual Parade of Homes promises an up-close and personal look at innovative building products, practices, designs and landscaping in new construction. This showcase of homes is produced by member/volunteers of the Home Builders Association of Central VA (HBACV)—a non-profit organization advocating for housing, economic growth and quality of life in our region.
The parade will be open from noon to 5 p.m. each day during the weekends of September 24th- 25th and October 1 st- 2nd. New this year is “WOOF Top Housing”: stylish dog houses, on show at various Parade homes, then raffled off to benefit The Lynchburg Humane Society. All Parade homes are constructed by licensed professional builder members of the HBACV. Admission is free.
Details on each home can be found in the News & Advance on Sunday, September 18th, and the Awards edition on September 28th. For more information, call HBACV at (434) 385-6018 or email info@hbacv.org.
