Historic Mobile Homes Tour features both homes and gardens in the Oakleigh Garden District
THE HISTORIC MOBILE HOMES TOUR IS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MARCH 20 AND 21, 2009 IN THE OAKLEIGH GARDEN DISTRICT. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OAKLEIGH HISTORIC COMPLEX. CALL 251.432.6161"I have a great affection for this house!" says Marilyn Culpepper. And for Marilyn, that's saying something! The beautiful old house on Palmetto Street isn't her home. But, the house is right next door to where she works... at Mobile's Oakleigh Historic Complex. The Cox-Hester House, built in 1866, is deep in the heart of the Oakleigh Garden District, and one of the homes on this weekend's Mobile Historic Homes Tour.
"If I were going to categorize it, I would say American four square," she summarizes. "But, it has so many handsome and elaborate features. It is not just a house. This was something someone intended to be a grand home."
And the homes on this year's tour are grand... but not for the reason's most people might think, says Marilyn.
"Really, Darwin, it's evolved over the years to mean more about homes, and about the evolution of families in places that matter... rather than just, come look at our fancy stuff."
But don't expect plain at this or any other house on the tour... all are chock full of ideas you can incorporate into your own home. The 8 homes on the tour will feature a lot of glorious rooms, but there are a couple of rooms you won't find inside the house. That's because they're outside! They are the gardens!
"It's a little bit New Orleans, a little Southern a little European... a little eclectic."
Those words come from Church Street homeowner Martha Locicero. A three tiered black fountain trickles with the sound of water in the middle of a white-graveled courtyard. The garden is modest in size, but brimming with color and creativity! Even for one particular mockingbird...
"Soon as that tree was put there," she says, pointing, "that bird was down there building a nest. In fact, he's back this year!"
Martha's garden is one of two on the tour... a place that will entice you to enter... and make you reluctant to leave.
"There's a constant renewal of vitality about it," she says, smiling, "and that's what's great about it. There's always something going on!"
In the Oakleigh Garden District, Here's Darwin, NBC 15 News.
