Palm Sunday Weekend, 2012
The 37th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes
Palm Sunday Weekend, 2012
The 37th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes
The 37th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes showcased the Margaret Place Historic District in Lake Charles with nine gracious homeowners opening their doors for the traditional Spring Sunday tour.
The Tour organizers crafted value for the Tour with several innovative features such as the use of specially commissioned artwork by Sue Zimmermann on the CHPS website and in the 28-page program, golf carts to provide transportation within the District, a visual exhibition which featured the history of the area, and a collaboration with the City of Lake Charles Transit Department whose "trolley bus" reenacted the route of the onetime "South Ryan Streetcar line" and provided shuttle service for patrons.
In addition, an afternoon/evening Fan Tour was held on the previous Saturday to focus on the up-close and personal history of houses, lifestyles and landscapes in the District, followed by the Centennial Street Party with a house band, delicious hors d'oeuvre, and a bar.
On Palm Sunday morning, 121 Artisan Bistro had four seating times for its Palm Sunday Brunch.
Throughout the district, Margaret Place residents created an inviting atmosphere by improving their homes and landscapes, offering a lemonade stand, and acting as tour guides to assist the 1,000 plus who helped to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Margaret Place neighborhood.
To provide a peaceful and tranquil flavor which has been referred to as “magical”, residents removed their cars such that only vintage cars were on display.
Four photographers captured the weekend activities. Photos by Cissy Guidry, Alan Walker, Virginia Webb, and Blane Bourgeois are featured on this site.
Be sure to visit our sponsors appreciation page. For more information about the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, visit CalcasieuPreservation.org.
The success of “The Margaret Place Model” did not go unnoticed. As Mayor Roach wrote in an April 4th congratulatory letter, “This past weekend was also an excellent example of the City and other organizations and individuals in different areas of the City coming together for the good of the entire community. Hopefully we will be able to get other areas of the City to adopt this approach to beautifying their neighborhoods.”
The weekend events were dedicated to the memory of the late Ben Mount, area preservationist, community activist, and resident of the District. The Tour is an annual project of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, this year in association with the Margaret Place Historical District, a resident based non-profit.
Well over 200 volunteers helped to achieve Palm Sunday Weekend, 2012! Learn more about them on our Thank You Page.
The home page photo of Gingham Ladies Elaine Cameron and Ellie LeMoine with the Piper home in the background was taken by Alan Walker.
Blane Bougeois, Cissy Guidry, Alan Walker, and Virginia Webb were the designated photographers for Palm Sunday Weekend. CHPS/MPHD wish to express their thanks for their efforts. Each photographer's photographs can be identified by their intitials in the beginning of the file name.
Photos are the property of the photographer. Please do not copy.