The 30th Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour on Thursday, Nov. 30, opens the door to five tastefully decorated residences in Portland's southwest hills, from a 1907 Arts and Crafts house by architect Emil Schacht to a renovated midcentury modern.
Architecturally and historically significant dwellings also include a 1908 Craftsman designed by A.E. Doyle, the 1911 Bishopcroft Tudor that earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and the 1926 Mediterranean-style house built near Washington Park for Jacob and Edith Barde, which continues to be a photo favorite of travelers on the Portland tourist trolley.
The fundraiser benefits the students of Ainsworth Elementary by providing computers, enhanced art programs, field trip opportunities, classroom supplies and other means of support to teachers and staff.
Tickets ($30) can be purchased in advance online or at the Ainsworth Elementary School Office, 2425 S.W. Vista Ave. (503-916-6288) as well as Zupan's Market Burnside location, 2340 W. Burnside St., and Ross Island Grocery & Cafe, 3502 S.W. Corbett Ave. Tickets will also be sold at any of the homes on the day of the tour. VIP tickets are $50 and include entry to an after-party.
Here are highlights of the five houses on the 2017 Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour, which will be open from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30:
1907 Arts and Crafts house: Respected architect Emil Schacht designed this house in Portland Heights, and it was so revolutionary that The Oregonian reported on its completion. The exterior has an asymmetrical roofline, dormer and covered porches. A 1963 remodel erased most of its Arts and Crafts features and replaced wood shingles with aluminum siding. But over the last three years, the new owner, along with a team of architects and builders, restored the historic house.
1908 Craftsman: Architect A. E. Doyle shaped early Portland's skyline with the Meier & Frank Building (now The Nines hotel), Lipman's store (now Hotel Monaco) and the Multnomah County Central Library. He is also credited for another city icon: the bronze Benson Bubbler public drinking fountains.
Doyle designed this white-stucco, wood-shingled Craftsman in Portland Heights with views of the emerging skyline. Inside, there are formal rooms with fireplaces and ornate chandeliers along with updated, open spaces.
1911 Tudor Revival-style house: Signature features of English Tudor Revival are exhibited in these brick, stucco and half-timbered exterior walls crowned with a gabled roof. Gothic arched leaded-glass windows frame the views.
The name of the residence, Bishopcroft, honors original owner, Reverend Charles Scadding, Oregon's third Episcopal Bishop. A plaque from the National Register of Historic Places can be seen in a brick archway.
An arch-ceiling room served as a private chapel, built-in cedar drawers once stored vestments and there's a wine cellar.
1926 Mediterranean-style home: The Jacob and Edith Barde Mansion, at the entrance to Washington Park, has more than 4,000 square feet of living space adorn with mahogany woodwork, cornices and murals. Rebar, surplus WWI rifle barrels and cannons were used to reinforce the 18-inch-thick foundation.
The updated and expanded kitchen reflects the current owners' approach to bringing a modern aesthetic to a traditional space, while improving functionality.
1959 modern dwelling: The original, 3,300-square-foot house has the classic midcentury features of indoor-outdoor living, open spaces and post-and-beam supported ceilings and large windows.
A 1,000-square-foot addition and reconfigured spaces during a recent renovation helped to create a combined living-dining-kitchen-family area, an office/guest room, playroom and man cave.
The kitchen area has darkly stained eucalyptus cabinets and white quartz counters. Step outside to take in the outdoor living areas that include a long deck overlooking an inviting landscape.
-- Homes & Gardens of the Northwest staff
jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman
This story has been corrected. Reverend Charles Scadding was Oregon's third Episcopal Bishop, not the first.