From Staff Reports

The 35th Anniversary Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place will take place Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 5 p.m.  This self-paced walking tour will feature five beautiful homes dating back to 1915, and tour patrons will be greeted by docents at each home who will highlight unique features.  You will learn about the history of the homes, hear the fascinating stories of previous owners, and be able to admire the spectacular décor and architectural design as you stroll through one of Fort Worth’s finest historic neighborhoods!

This year’s five stunning homes will have something to offer for everyone’s taste. 

The Parham home at 2516 Ryan Place Drive is a two-story neoclassical designed by Wiley G. Clarkson.  Clarkson, a celebrated builder for the time whose media were stone, mortar, and wood, built this residence in 1922.  His meticulous attention to historic detail is evident in this elegantly constructed home. The tall, seven-and-a-half-foot mahogany doors grace the main reception rooms.  The ornately carved crown molding, over door pediments and cornices, and ten-foot ceilings evoke the interior ambiance of a fine home of this era. And don’t forget to take a stroll through the backyard, a gorgeous retreat!

And if you really want to take a stroll back in time, you won’t want to miss the Shipley home at 1030 Elizabeth Boulevard.  This is a large two-story house built in 1916 with a rectangular plan and a glazed green-tiled hip roof. A full roof-terraced porch and terrace with cast-stone balustrade extends across the front.  The house was originally built for Andrew Jackson Long, a prominent Fort Worth cattleman and banker, and is perhaps the last of Fort Worth’s cattle barons’ mansions in the grand Colonial revival style.  It is furnished with antiques dating back to 1710!

And looks can be deceiving!  Over a century old, the West home at 2530 5th Avenue has had a few modifications, keeping her in the 21st century.  The home’s exterior looks as good as when it was built in 1915, but the interior reflects a contemporary vision.  It has an open floorplan for entertaining and displaying a collection of Fort Worth artists that can be seen throughout the house.  Art fills most every wall, and comfortable reading spaces can be found throughout, which are the priorities of its owners.  The central “fireman’s pole” and floating curved stairway are the main attraction! 

The Lane Home at 1107 Elizabeth is a two-story brick house built in 1919.  The current homeowners purchased in 2014 and have remodeled stages each year mixing modern with antique details.  Through renovations, they have maintained the integrity of the home with the smallest details such as original fixtures and refinishing the original hardwood floors.  Through the use of bold paint colors and unique finishes, this home exudes personality and style. And a stunning backyard renovation in 2018 make this home a must-see!

The Wells home at 2423 College Avenue is a Georgian Revival Style home built in 2006.  It is a fantastic blend of historical touches and modern conveniences. Among the home’s features are an imperial staircase, beautiful chandeliers, and gourmet kitchen.  Abundant windows and French doors lead to the large backyard, featuring a recently renovated diving pool and comfortable outdoor living spaces. The owner describes her style as transitional French coastal, which is a term she coined for putting all the things together that she enjoys! 

In addition to the homes, the Committee is excited to be adding some special features to enhance the experience for tour patrons and Ryan Place neighbors this year:

 

BOTH DAYS OF THE TOUR

St. John’s Tea Room – As you pick up your ticket and brochure, don’t forget to stop by the St. John’s Tea Room. They will have a delicious menu of sweet and savory holiday treats and many special gift items for Christmas shoppers. Proceeds benefit the St. John’s Youth Group, and they will be open on Saturday from 11 – 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. 

Pedego Electric Bike Tours – Avoid driving or walking from home to home and take a guided electric bike tour from Pedego Electric Bikes offered at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on both tour days. Book online at www.pedegofortworth.com or call 682-305-8304.  

Live Musical Performances – It’s hard to get in the holiday spirit without a little holiday music! We’re excited that this year’s tour will feature children’s choirs from local churches and neighborhood schools. Local musicians will also be featured in tour homes at various times throughout the weekend.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

The Dailey Method Barre Class – Join the Dailey Method for a barre class at Daggett Park at 11 a.m. to get a jump start on those New Year’s Resolutions. This is the space where tour proceeds will be used to enhance Daggett Park. Voluntary donations will be accepted and donated back to the neighborhood.  Don’t forget to bring your mat! 

Christmas Croquet Tournament – Ryan Place croquet extraordinaire, Chris Ebert, will be hosting a special edition of Christmas Croquet from 1 – 5 p.m. at 2530 Ryan Place Drive. Dust off those mallets and contact Chris at [email protected] to sign up or obtain more information!

The Beignet Bus – In addition to the sights of holiday decorations and the sounds of holiday music, you will probably not miss the irresistible smell of the The Beignet Bus’s delicious beignets and coffee.  They will be open and serving neighbors and tour patrons along the tour route from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

Ryan Place Polar Express Kid’s Train – On Sunday, December 8th from 1 – 4 p.m., there will be a FREE kid’s train that will load and unload on the southeast corner of Elizabeth Boulevard and Ryan Place Drive. The train will depart and run clockwise east on Elizabeth, south on South Adams, west on Robert, and back north up Ryan Place Drive. This is an experience for all ages, but parents are expected to maintain supervision of their children.  All…. aboard! 

Mustard Seed Jewelry Pop-Up Shop –  Make time to stop by Mustard Seed Jewelry at 2508 College Avenue. They will be open from 1 – 5 p.m. giving tour patrons a unique opportunity to shop beautiful jewelry pieces that are all hand-crafted by local artisans. And 30% of the proceeds from Sunday will be donated back to the neighborhood!  To see their products, visit www.mustardseedjewelry.com. 

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Each tour patron must be wearing a tour wristband to gain entry to the homes, and children 12 years of age or younger are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.  Wrist bands are only required to enter the homes; they are not required to participate in the extra activities such as the barre class, Polar Express, or Christmas Croquet.  Advance tickets will be sold for $20 at ryanplacefortworth.com or Old Home Supply (1801 College Ave).  Tickets also available on tour days for $25, either online or at the Ticket Office located inside St. John’s Anglican Church (2401 College Avenue) during the tour.  For questions, please contact [email protected].