News Release
April 23, 2007
Platt Park Blooms With Spring Home Tour To Benefit Mckinley-Thatcher School
The oldest church in Southeast Denver-converted to a home. A school building turned into fabulous lofts-complete with the original auditorium stage. The historic Platt mansion set like a jewel in a gorgeous garden. And a beautiful blond brick Victorian replete with original woodwork and glass, but with some surprising modernist twists. What do these venues have in common you ask? It's "Past Meets Present: A Tribute to Tradition and Transformation," Platt Park's new home tour!
The Denver neighborhood of Platt Park will host a home tour on Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit science programs at McKinley Thatcher Elementary, a wonderful multi-cultural K-5 school. The school is located in the heart of the Platt Park neighborhood just south of West Washington Park across I-25 and home to some of Denver's top shops and restaurants on Old South Pearl Street.
Michael Craig of Michael Craig Realty, who is co-sponsoring the event with Denoak Realty, says of the neighborhood "Having lived in Platt Park since 1973, I am very excited about the home tour. I think this tour offers a different perspective than all of the other home tours I've seen in surrounding neighborhoods". Most home tours focus on the big, totally redone, most expensive homes in a neighborhood, which most people will only see on a home tour. This tour is focused on a variety of homes and living/work spaces. It ranges from loft living in the converted original Thatcher School, to a church converted to a photographer's studio/home, yet still includes some remodeled residences. It is representative of what a neighborhood can offer to residents looking to live in a vibrant community with many choices for varied living spaces that coexist together. Rich Delanoy, of Denoak Realty is busy planning a route for the horse drawn wagon sponsored by the Association. A long time resident, Rich is well versed in the history of the neighborhood. He says "There are approximately 2,600 homes in Platt Park. On this tour you will see examples that speak to the diversity of the neighborhood's rich housing stock. The residential architecture in Platt Park spans nearly 130 years. Many of the neighborhood homes have been lovingly and accurately expanded to suit the needs of modern day living. These examples are the true gems in the neighborhood "This is truly a collaborative effort between the community and its local school," says Lynn Marie Bell, a Platt Park resident and home tour volunteer. "We are hoping to make a big impact on the school, the neighborhood, and of course, the kids. I think it's fabulous that these homeowners, who don't even have children at the school, have offered their homes to support the school. And the great thing is that they're homes everyone has been dying to see!"
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Platt Park Peoples Association," says Vicky Cyr, Principal of McKinley Thatcher. "The home tour will be lots of fun and we hope all our McKinley Thatcher families, friends, and neighbors will be out to support this effort." Those of us who have experienced the gift of working in a small school know that small is beautiful! With a student population just over 200, the staff at McKinley-Thatcher is able to get to know every student and family. No student can "slip through the cracks" at McKinley-Thatcher and get lost in the crowd. Everyone gets to know them and they feel valued and welcome. We're so excited the neighborhood is rallying around us in this era of budget cuts!"
Students will assist in researching each home to provide fascinating on-site information about the history of the home. The students will have "before and after" presentations showing the transformations of two homes, one previously Thatcher Elementary School, and the other oldest church in Southeast Denver. Students will also be presenting an art exhibit with their artistic interpretations of the different houses. And come hungry as there will be free coffee and baked goods for sale!
Check in for the home tour will be held at McKinley-Thatcher School, located at Logan and Louisiana. The school's lobby is accessed off Grant St. At check in, guests will be able to peruse the art exhibit and learn more about McKinley-Thatcher's role as a South Platte River Environmental Education pilot school, and its science programs.
Tickets for the Platt Park Home Tour may be purchased on line at PlattParkHomeTour.com. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 on the day of the tour. Children under 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can also be purchased by check at the office of McKinley Thatcher Elementary School or through McKinley-Thatcher families. For more information about the home tour, contact Lynn Marie Bell at 303-744-7672 or LMVBell@hotmail.com.