The weather is fine, and the fall home tour season is underway. If you missed the AIA Tour last weekend, you still have a chance to get off the couch this Saturday for The Heritage Society of Austin‘s latest neighborhood frolic.

This year it’s a guided walking tour through one of our most architecturally rich areas, Fairview Park, which is Austin’s oldest subdivision south of the Colorado River. Meant to be an exclusive bedroom community in the 1880’s, Fairview Park’s 1.5-mile distance to downtown was considered excessive. Today the neighborhood sits between Travis Heights and South Congress Avenue.

After an introductory lecture by Steve Sadowsky on the Landmarks Program’s criteria, process, and role in Austin’s preservation program, the tour will highlight the exteriors of Landmark homes, including examples of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles. Examples of specific homes include The Academy at 400 Academy Drive, the Wilkins-Heath House at 1208 Newning (winner of 2005 Preservation Merit Award) and Hotel St. Cecilia at 112 Academy Drive.

Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 10:00 am to Noon., rain or shine
Tour Begins at The Academy, 400 Academy Drive, 78704
Admission: $15 for members, $20 for non-members
More information: 512-474-5198

This article appears in October 1 • 2010.

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