Tour historic homes in Port Jervis
PORT JERVIS — The Port Jervis Council for the Arts will hold its second annual Historic Homes and Garden Tour from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Refreshments and live music will be at each site, which include the following:
The Campbell Residence, 23 Sullivan Avenue
The house was built in 1871. The gaslights are long gone, but remnants of them are evident by the gas caps found by some of the oversized windows in this late 19 Century mansard-roof style Victorian. Many original elements still exist, such as plaster crown moldings, 12-foot ceilings, oak floors, slipper glass lighting, mercury switches, and three fireplaces. Contemporary kitchen and bath amenities have been designed to reflect the period style and provide modern conveniences.
David and Victoria Campbell purchased this home in 2003. Its three full floors provide plenty of room for their five children.
The Smith Residence, 134 East Main Street
The property was purchased in 1921 by Lester H. McAllister, who built the house in 1929. McAllister died in 1936, but his wife, Eunice M. Walker McAllister lived at this address until 1965. Ed Smith came to town to open a large car dealership, loved the house, bought it, and has lived here for 48 years.
The Quinn Residence, 138 West Main Street
Situated on the Delaware River, this Victorian home, built in 1908, was part of the Samuel Caskey farm. It had been abandoned for a number of years until it was purchased by Michael and Catherine Quinn in 1988. They restored the original chestnut woodwork, staircase, pocket doors, and the mirrored oak fireplace mantel with granite hearth. An addition in 2000 added a large family room that followed the design and character of the original home.
Since the river is the main focal point of the property, the Quinns created a stone patio in back of the house for enjoying the view. They also added an in-ground pool with a grand stone entrance and walls, which enhances their backyard overlook.
The Onofry Residence, 144 East Main Street
This property was originally part of the Samuel Fowler Estate, called Glennette. J. Henry Case purchased the lot to build his home there in 1920. He and his wife, Elizabeth Mapes Case, owned and lived in the home until their deaths. The next owners of the property were James E. Cole and his wife, Marjorie Case Cole. James E. Cole was mayor of Port Jervis from 1952 to 1955 and from 1962 to 1965. Robert and Linda Onofry purchased this home from the Coles in September 1979.
The nonprofit Port Jervis Council of the Arts sponsors art scholarships for Port Jervis High School students, art shows, Playwright-in-Residence, the Arts Walk and a December holiday concert. For more information, please email portjervisarts@aol.com visit http://portjervisarts.org or find them on Facebook.