Dreary weather doesn't dampen turnout for home tour

By Karyn Spory, Mt. Pleasant News

Jan Kurlz didn?t hesitate before grabbing her umbrella and making her way to the 400 block of East Monroe on Sunday for the Mansions on East Monroe event.

Kurlz, who hails from Oskaloosa, was in town visiting her sister. She said she has often driven through Mt. Pleasant and admired the historic homes that make up much of the cityscape.

?We often drive past these houses and think how we?d love to see them sometime and now these people have opened up their homes. I had no hesitation coming out.?

Kurlz said she enjoyed seeing the homes and how they have been restored.

?You learn the history of the house as well as the history of those who have lived here,? she said.

The historic home tour was sponsored by the Henry County Heritage Trust, and featured homes at 400, 402, 404 and 406 East Monroe Street.

Sunday was the first time Bryan Pope, 404 East Monroe Street, had opened up his home for a tour.

?I didn?t think so many people would be so interested in old homes,? he said.

Pope said he participated as a favor to his neighbor, Pat White, who was the catalyst for the event.

?Pat asked me and the other neighbors to do it and I said yes. I?m proud of my house and the hard work it took to get it here,? he said.

Homeowner pride wasn?t the only thing Pope got out of the experience; he also received a history lesson.

?I didn?t know much about my house, but Pat gave me some information on the house and got me interested (in its history),? he added.

Don LeBlanc said he and his wife, Sara, (400 East Monroe Street) opened up their home out of community pride.

?We want to support the organizations that do great projects in the community,? he said of the Henry County Heritage Trust, which planned to use proceeds from the tour to help fund future events. ?These organizations are really good about doing things for the community and we want to do our part.?

LeBlanc added that he and his wife enjoy touring other people?s homes so it only seemed right they joined the tour as well. ?We?re glad we can open it up, have people come into our home and have an enjoyable day.?

Judy Reyes was glad the LeBlancs and their neighbors had opened up their homes for the tour because it was giving her something to do on such a dreary day.

?Maybe for a short time I hesitated to come out because of the rain, but if these people want to open up their homes we should be gracious for it. They?re all so beautiful,? she said.

?I love these house tours,? she continued. ?Our home is about the same age so I?m always curious to see what they look like, especially the woodwork.?

Sunday wasn?t neighbors Barb and Doug Kennedy?s (402 East Monroe Street) first time on a HCHT tour. ?We did a tour about 30 years ago and we were part of a porch tour a few years back,? said Barb. ?It?s nice to visit with people and see what they?re interested it. They often see your home in a different light. It?s nice to see that perspective.?

For Doug, being on the tour is good motivation.

?One thing I like about being a part of the tour is it motivates you to do things to the house that you might otherwise put off,? he said.

Kent White was impressed with the turnout. ?I?m surprised how busy it?s been in spite of the weather. I thought it?d be a slow day,? he said as another handful of visitors poured into his home at 406 East Monroe Street.

White said he thinks the home tours are such a hit because it?s a fun way for people to connect to history.

?It?s an opportunity to enjoy the history of the homes and connect to the history of the community,? he said. ?Pat truly enjoys history and we?re so happy we can share it with others.?