Coming Up – 34th Annual Fort Collins Historic Homes Tour

The 34th Annual Fort Collins Historic Homes Tour is coming up September 15th.  Northern Colorado plein air painters have been invited to paint at the historic homes this year, and have a pop-up art show and sale at the Avery Carriage House (108 N Meldrum).

Throughout the summer,  artists painted on location in Old Town, at the Avery House, the Water Works, and various locations around Fort Collins and along the Poudre River.  On display during the tour, is a painting I created of the Historic Avery House.

The Avery House

Built from the sandstone quarries just outside of Fort Collins, the Avery House was built in 1879.  According to the Poudre Landmarks Foundation (PLF) website, “members of the Avery family lived in the house until 1962 when it was sold. Poudre Landmarks Foundation, Inc., was formed in 1972. The group worked with the City of Fort Collins to purchase the home in 1974 at a cost of $79,000. PLF then took responsibility to oversee restoration of the house.”

In addition to hosting tours, private events, and weddings, PLF hosted a tea at the Avery House this past June.  We were invited to paint at the event.  Imagine our excitement when the attendees arrived in period costumes.  We felt as though we had stepped back in time (except for when a cell phone appeared!).

About the painting

During the event, I was able to photograph the men and women dressed in period clothes.  Using those photos, drawings of the home, and color studies made on location over the course of the summer, I then created this painting that depicts the Avery House as it might have been over one hundred years ago.

Step Back in Time, 16x20, oil on linen, © Nelia Harper
Step Back in Time, 16×20, oil on linen, © Nelia Harper

 

Home Tour Details

The historic home tour includes the Avery House, the Water Works and six private homes.  While the tour is a ticketed event, the art show is free and open to the public.

The pop-up gallery will be open, September 15th from 10 am – 4 pm. 

All artworks are available for sale that day. 

Local plein air artists will also be on-site at the homes and buildings during the tour.  Plein air paintings painted during the tour are available for sale from the artist.  A portion of the sales will support Poudre Landmarks Foundation in maintaining and preserving these historic homes and buildings for the public to enjoy.

For a list of the homes, details on the tour, art sale preview and to get your tickets, visit http://poudrelandmarks.org/historic-homes-tour/ for more information.

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.