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For 34 years, the Springfield historic district has been showing off it’s unique character, architecture, and walkability through home tours. Once ground zero for Jacksonville’s poverty and blight, it’s now in the midst of a generational transformation, literally rising from the ashes to become a popular neighborhood for those seeking an eclectic, diverse, and semi-urban lifestyle. The 2012 edition of the tour highlights this transformation by embracing the slogan “Experience the Past, Visit the Present, Envision the Future”.
The two-day event shows off Jacksonville’s oldest, most storied neighborhood while raising funds to benefit Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) and the Springfield Heritage Education Center (SHEC).
Home Tour: Saturday, 5/19/12, 1pm - 6pm
Bike Tour: Saturday, 5/19/12, 2:00pm
Home Tour: Sunday, 5/20,12, 1pm - 6pm
All Tours leave from the SPAR Building at 1321 N. Main Street.
The Home & Garden Tour is self-guided, and features 5 original restored homes, 2 new construction homes that compliment the neighborhood’s character, 2 dedicated garden spaces, and 1 completely unique, one-of-a-kind commercial-to-private residence conversation. There will be a few pleasant surprises on the Tour too (think sweet music and sweet treats). Saturday and Sunday, May 19th & 20th, last ticket sold at 6pm. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $12 day of.
The Bike Tour, hosted by e2ride Bike Tours, is guided and features all the stunning homes on the Tour, along with a number of other notable spots in neighborhood - think Civil War, chilling murder capers, old Hollywood stars, and infamous, bigger-than-life personalities. The Bike Tour is Saturday, May 19th, at 2pm. Bring your own bicycle and equipment, or rent directly from e2ride. Tickets are $20 if you bring your own, $45 to rent a bicycle and equipment. Last held in 2010, it was a fan favorite drawing over 75 riders.
To purchase tickets to the 2012 Spring Home & Garden Tour visit www.spartour.org
To purchase tickets and find out more info on the Bike Tour contact Leigh through www.e2ride.com
Come see why the Springfield historic district has been featured in Good Morning America, Southern Living Magazine, Florida Trend Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and other press in recent years.
For more information, contact SPAR at sparoffice@sparcouncil.org or call the SPAR/SHEC office at (904) 353-7727.
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Bill Hoff
May 15, 2012, 07:20:27 AMThere's some exceptionally cool/nice spaces on the tour this year. I'll be taking the bike tour version.
fsujax
May 15, 2012, 08:11:57 AMlooks nice. Now with all the rain, the yards and trees will be green and not withered!
stephendare
May 15, 2012, 09:15:10 AMWhat a great selection guys! This looks like its going to be a really awesome tour!
finehoe
May 15, 2012, 09:26:23 AMBeautiful!
stephendare
May 15, 2012, 09:39:28 AMBill, Im so proud of you guys for really featuring the community gardens and urban agriculture vibe of the neighborhood in this tour!
Really really awesome.
It makes your event name meaningful and uniquely Springfield! No other neighborhood has the same energy and connectedness to this wonderful movement.
Springfield Chicken
May 15, 2012, 11:57:51 AMAbel Harding spearheaded this year's tour and he's put together a really great group of homes. You'll see incredible art in one, more than one garden to die for, get decorating ideas, and see a house with a lot of Jacksonville history as its story to tell, and more. And it includes two of the places that make Springfield special - Three Layers Coffee House and the Community Garden. Gonna be a great tour. Can't wait!
CityLife
May 15, 2012, 01:44:00 PMLooks like a great collection of houses. Will there be live music in the Community Garden? That was a nice addition to the tour a couple years ago.
John P
May 15, 2012, 04:27:37 PMThere is a free Sweet petes gift certificate I heard too. That is worth it right there. Regarding the community garden on the tour what is going on with trying to get the urban ag legislation legit?
Bill Hoff
May 16, 2012, 03:14:41 PMIt was on a tour a few years ago, but it's more established now. Should be good. Wish we could get it and other aspects of urban agriculture codified.
Btw, there should be a decent sized group on the Bike Tour. If people need to rent a bike & equipment, it's best to RSVP.
chris farley
May 17, 2012, 11:12:06 AMWe desperately need volunteers to stand in the houses during the tour, please will you help us. Call 402 0651
Thank you.
Bill Hoff
May 19, 2012, 11:58:18 AMToday & tomorrow, 1pm-6pm
Bike tour is 2pm today.
See you there!
aaapolito
May 20, 2012, 07:16:48 PMThank you to all the homeowners who opened up their homes for the tour. I really enjoyed seeing the homes and meeting people along the tour.
The tour was also a great way to explore Springfield for the first time.
Springfield Chicken
May 21, 2012, 08:21:31 AMThe tour was a huge success and let me add my thanks to the homeowners who shared their amazing homes and gardens as well as all the volunteers who put in time and then more time, as well as the many sponsors who supported the tour. It was a wonderful eclectic mix of homes, which certainly fits the description of Springfield. When I was volunteering at one of the homes I met several folks on their first visit to Springfield. So let me invite you all to come on back. We have lots of activities and businesses worth the trip. Be sure to join us for the first Main St Car Cruise in June! See ya' then.
Bill Hoff
May 21, 2012, 01:11:01 PMHere's some photos from the Tour...
And lots more: http://myspringfield.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1938
John P
May 22, 2012, 08:36:55 AMI took the tour on sunday andf was better than I expected. Those pictures dont do those homes justice. The best part? The beer garden
tayana42
June 06, 2012, 05:44:11 PMGreat tour; great photo essay of it!