Charlotte’s Fourth Ward holiday tour offers touches of Dickens
Jennielea and David Haynes live in what used to be a brothel. But there’s little trace of its ignominious past today … unless you count the mail slot in the door to the upstairs master suite.
The Haynes home is one of nine on the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour. The 38th annual event showcases the restored Victorians, urban condos and historic places for which Fourth Ward is known.
The 2,700-square-foot Haynes home at 607 N. Pine St. was built in 1900 by George Washington Campbell. The four-bedroom, three-bath home has undergone many renovations in the decades since but retains its four original fireplaces (converted from coal to gas logs years ago), original hardwood flooring throughout, original staircase and bannister and two claw foot tubs the couple presumes are original.
About those fireplaces: Notice the distinct pattern in the wood. David has been told it’s called “zebra wood” for its pronounced markings.
Neighborhood denizen and unofficial ambassador Ellen Davis (who owns the McNinch House restaurant) was one of the first people the Hayneses met when they moved in in 2013. She gave them pointers, including the name of her painter.
The three-piece crown molding is new and adds a grand touch to the 10-foot ceilings. David installed it himself after watching how-to videos on YouTube.
The Hayneses hadn’t lived in an old home until they bought this one. Jennielea works uptown and likes her short commute. And the three Haynes kids are grown, which prompted the empty-nesters to downsize from their Harrisburg home on a 1-acre lot.
Refurnishing to fit the look
Their furniture didn’t lend itself to a historic home, and Jennielea wanted her décor to be house-appropriate. So she started over. Trips to flea markets and frequent visits to Sleepy Poet and the vintage shops on Central Avenue led her to furnishings in keeping with a restored Victorian.
Jennielea decorated most of the home herself but enlisted the help of Patrice Hawkins with Decorating Den Interiors for the living room. The hushed colors and framed vintage family photographs on one wall make the room appear as if it’s always looked this way.
Jennielea’s favorite aspect of their home is the character that comes with age. “You can’t build crooked walls and uneven floors,” she said.
David likes “owning a piece of Charlotte history.” When he’s on his front porch – just a few doors down from beloved pub Alexander Michael’s – he can’t help but “think about the people and families that called this place ‘home.’”
Jennielea is a traditionalist when it comes to holiday decorating. Gold balls and plaid ribbon will adorn one Christmas tree. Her mantels will be festooned with greenery and nutcrackers. Garland with red berries will be hung from the banister, and old Victorian glass ornaments will be mixed in.
This may be as close as Charlotteans get to having a Dickens Christmas.
A mix of the new
But the tour will feature more than Victoriana. One of Charlotte’s oldest neighborhoods also has some swanky new townhomes and high-rise condos.
One of those belongs to Zach and Crystal Lynn. “They are so much fun,” said Beth Walker, tour coordinator, of the couple at 307 Settlers Lane. “They have created a tiki bar on their rooftop deck, which has fabulous views. Muddy River Distillery will be there sampling their handcrafted rums. They also have a 1975 El Dorado, which they have dubbed ‘Noeldorado,’ and it will be decorated and parked at the entrance to their home.”
Complimentary refreshments and tastings inside homes, at official stops along the tour route or at restaurants are provided by Wooden Vine, Rock Bottom Brewery, Mert’s Heart & Soul, The Asbury, 7th Street Public Market and more.
“This is a special neighborhood,” David Haynes said. “We have never been greeted by neighbors as warmly as we were here.”
And now he, Jennielea and other Fourth Wardians will extend that same welcome to all of Charlotte.
Take the tour
Homes are open 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Saturday, Dec. 5, and 1-5p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
607 N. Pine St. – Restored Victorian.
311 Settlers Lane – Townhome with contemporary touches.
307 Settlers Lane – Four-story townhome with rooftop tiki bar and skyline views.
224 W. 10th St. – The Morrison House, restored Victorian.
400 N. Church St., Unit 606 – Luxury condo.
400 N. Church St., Unit 714 – Luxury condo with terrace and skyline views.
529 N. Poplar St. – Restored Victorian.
416 N. Poplar St. – Restored Dutch Colonial.
318 W. Eighth St. – Modern single-family home with solarium.
640 N. Church St. (SkyHouse Uptown) – Luxurious rooftop deck with south-facing skyline views and food and wine tastings for tour-goers (plus a fire in the outdoor fireplace).
224 E. Seventh St. (7th Street Green Market: ticket booth, carriage stop, tastings, live music and shopping)
511 N. Church St. (The McNinch House) The Restored Victorian, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is open Sunday only.
Tickets – which sold out last year – are $25 and available online at fofw.org or in advance at Alexander Michael’s, Park Road Books, 7th Street Public Market and area Brixx Pizza and Dean & Deluca locations.
Tickets are valid for all three days of the tour. Ticketholders must redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the ticket booth at the corner of 9th & Poplar or at the 7th Street Public Market. The ticket booth and Market will be the only locations for same-day ticket purchases.
All tour stops are within walking distance of one another. Limited on-street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and free horse-drawn carriages are available to take visitors between the Market and the tour.
This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Charlotte’s Fourth Ward holiday tour offers touches of Dickens."