Spring home tour season offers a chance to see inside the neighborhoods we covet in a very intimate way. But this year’s spring home tours are in jeopardy due to concerns regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Already, one of East Dallas’ premier home tours, the White Rock Home Tour, has announced that they will postpone the event, which was slated for the weekend of April 25-26.
“The health and well-being of our community is our first priority. Due to the recent COVID-19 developments, we have decided to postpone this year’s White Rock Home Tour,” said Mary Whitmore, the home tour chair. “We’re looking for alternative dates and will let everyone know once those are confirmed. Though postponed, we will have the same sponsors and homes in place for the new dates. Thank you all for your understanding and support.”
The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society has elected to suspend their event schedule, according to a statement.
Due to the recent events related to the Coronavirus, Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society will SUSPEND the planned events for April which include the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Home Tour, and Classic & Antique Car Show.
Marla Boone, President, Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society
The events would have kicked off April 15 with a distinguished speaker luncheon, followed by the home tour on April 18 and concluded by the classic and antique car show on April 25.
A message from Hollywood Home Tour chair Sara Ramos told organizers and supporters of the annual event that they are considering postponement.
“For the past days and weeks, we have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus pandemic developments and following information from the national health organizations,” Ramos said. “We are in unprecedented times and are considering all possible alternatives to the postponement of the 29th annual home tour and auction party.”
It’s a difficult decision for the organization, as this event is the neighborhood organization’s chief income stream.
“At this time, the recommendation from the CDC is an 8-week ban of gathering more than 50 people which ends after the home tour weekend of May 1st, May 2nd, and May 3rd,” Ramos said. “We will work on a plan to postpone the weekend and will be in communication with everyone.”
A Wait-And-See Approach
However, other neighborhood home tours have taken a more wait-and-see approach. Pete Peabody, organizer of the Northaven Home Tour.
“The Northaven Home Tour will continue to monitor the situation and make a formal announcement on or before April 2,” Peabody said. “Our message will be communicated personally to our sponsors at that time, with public announcement via our website, Facebook, and Instagram.”
The Northaven Home Tour is slated for April 18, 2020.
So far, the Turtle Creek Association’s Tour of Homes, planned for Sunday, April 26, will proceed as planned. Same for the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour, which is planned for the weekend of May 9.
We’re still awaiting word from the Fairmount Historic District’s Mother’s Day Home Tour committee and will update this story as more information comes in.
Heather Hunter and Karen Eubank contributed to this report.
