The Whitland Neighborhood Home Tour was last weekend and while I didn’t actually get to partake in it this year, I did manage to get some answers about the origin and focus of the tour.

The decision to start a neighborhood home tour was the brainchild of a few dedicated Whitland residents, including Scott and Suzanne Holder, Carolyn Greenfield, Kristen Forrest, Melissa and Bob Lyons, and John Lott, who recognized the opportunities inherent in having a tour after he attended the Richland Home Tour.  

These Whitland residents learned through conversations with their Richland neighbors that a home tour provided an opportunity to raise funds for the neighborhood and was also a great way to bring neighbors together. It was through the dedication of these individuals that this tour came about.  

I asked how they got neighbors interested in having folks traipsing around inside their homes and was told, “When we explain that it is a great way to get involved in the neighborhood, meet new people and support our efforts to raise funds for the neighborhood projects and fun neighborhood activities in addition to the donation we make to Habitat for Humanity, most are amenable. As for having people browse through their homes, we find that most of the browsers are simply looking for historical interest and many for decorating and/or renovating ideas for their own homes.”

As for selection of local artist to feature in each home, there was no science to how the artist were chosen except that they wanted them to be local and limited it to a number consistent with the number of houses.  This is a new component to the tour and something they thought would be great for all involved.

For the homeowners an opportunity to preview art in their own homes, for the artist another venue to sell the art and for tour goers a chance to see art work displayed in a home and purchase what they saw.  So, yes the art work featured in each home is for sale and a percentage of those proceeds will benefit the neighborhood, Habitat for Humanity and the artist.  

So, if you missed this tour, (like I did) this year, please keep in mind there is always 2008! Check out the gallery link below for more photos from this year's tour.