By Sadie Hunter
In past years, hundreds have had the opportunity to go through houses and buildings rich with military and Indiana history with the Partnerships for Lawrence foundation’s Holiday Home Tours.
This year, the tour is the largest its ever been, and in its fifth year, will feature seven buildings, homes and living spaces from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Tours typically draw approximately 500 guests.
THE HISTORIC HOMES
All along Lawtown Loop, the tour will go through three homes, built between 1906 and 1908, that were once officer’s quarters. One of the featured homes on the loop is the home of Carol Lockhart, organizer of the home tour for the past two years, and her husband Bruce.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser,” Lockhart said. “We’ve got a lot of sponsors that come in, like Cohron Homes, who have sponsored the tour every year, and we’ve had the Pacers sponsor the shuttles. Also, each of the houses will have five or six volunteers on each floor.”
This is the first year the Lockharts, who have been living in their home since 2000, have had their home on the tour, but Carol said she’s been involved each year.
“The first year I was involved, I was just helping, and I had some ideas on how we could make it more organized,” she said. “(Having our home on the tour) was a good opportunity to finish up all the little things we needed to get done around the house. Last year, we had a model similar to our house on the tour that was completely empty, so we thought it would be interesting for people to see what the house looks like when its pretty well done.”
THE NEW HOMES
This year’s tour will also feature two new homes.
Built by David Weekley Homes, these sit within the newly redeveloped area of Village at the Fort.
Since Fort Harrison’s closure in 1995, developers have been working to build homes, condos and apartment complexes, and in 2014, David Weekley Homes announced The Residences at Village at the Fort – a community of 74 single-family homes.
THE VILLAGE OF MERICI
The Village of Merici originally served as barracks for servicemen at the fort. Today, named after St. Angela Marici, patron saint of the disabled, the nonprofit serves as a housing development for adults with cognitive disabilities.
THE STATE PARK INN
Once serving as Fort Harrison’s hospital and an officer’s club when the fort was still operating militarily, guests of this year’s home tour also will go through the Fort Harrison State Park Inn. In 1995, due to base realignment and closure processes, 1700 acres of the 2500-acre military post were acquired by the state.
TAKE THE TOUR
What: 2016 Holiday Home Tour featuring the homes of Fort Harrison and the State Park Inn. The tour includes cookies, coffee, cider and wine tastings. Shuttle rides are complimentary with the price of a ticket.
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3.
Cost: Individual advance sale tickets are $12. At the door, tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased at partnershipsforlawrence.org.
MUSIC ON THE TOUR
At stops along the tour, live music will be performed. The musicians include:
- Liza Hyatt, harp
- Lisa and Perry Scott, violin and cello
- Nick Fenning, piano
- Betty Sherman and associates, bell choir
- Caroling Cops, Lawrence Police Dept. officers a cappella group
PARTNERSHIPS FOR LAWRENCE HOLIDAY EVENTS
Patron’s Party
What: The annual Partnerships for Lawrence Patron’s Party a get-together for people interested in Fort Harrison and local arts programming. This fundraising event will feature food, drinks, music, a silent auction and more.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2.
Where: Fort Harrison State Park Inn, 5830 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis.
Cost: Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at partnershipsforlawrence.org or by calling 317-875-1900.
‘The Nutcracker’
What: Indy Axis Dancers will perform this year-end show, where dancers ages 5 to 14 will perform a shortened version of the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17.
Where: Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave., Indianapolis.
Cost: Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at lawrenceartcenter.net/axis-nutcracker. This show has sold out in previous years.
