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Park Avenue Home Tour

Many folks buy old homes for their unique character.  Even the home that fit neatly into a particular style categories represented a great deal of creative imagination, particularly when designed by the best architects. One of the best collections of unique homes in Minneapolis at the turn of the century was on Park Avenue.  The [...]

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The MacKenzie House

Slowly stripped of much of its Queen Anne ornament over time, the MacKenzie House is still a neighborhood landmark. The house was built in 1889 by William K. Chapman for $5000. A that time a 16′ x 28′ barn was also built at the southeast corner of the property. Cost of the barn was $350. [...]

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• There is a fantastic opportunity to attend a free restoration workshop led by Bob Yapp! There are just a few spots are still available for upcoming home restoration workshops, sponsored by The Old Highland Neighborhood Association and Preserve Minneapolis. Led by nationally renowned tradesman Bob Yapp, the workshops will features nine days of hands-on home restoration instruction for local residents, June 22nd – July 2nd, 2012. These boot camp style workshops will hammer down topics such as window repair, passive floor refinishing, proper painting techniques, and exterior wood repair. Classes will be free to participants and ALL SKILL LEVELS are encouraged to attend!  Structures in Old Highland, located in north Minneapolis, will act as the classroom, as the 30-block enclave features many fine Victorian-era and turn-of-the-century homes. Workshop Dates: Window Restoration Boot Camp: June 22, 23, & 24, 2012 Exterior Wood Repair: June 26 & 27, 2012 Paint it Right: June 28, 2012 Passive Wood Floor Restoration & Repair: June 30 & July 1,2, 2012 Please visit the Old Highland website for registration and additional details.   #
• I was a guest earlier today on Home Talk, a program found on Twin Cities radio station myTalk 107.1 . Today's program was on the value of investing in professional design services.  If you want to listen to it it's now available online. #
• Seems like there is some kind of a house tour almost every Spring or Summer weekend in the Twin Cities.  This weekend was no exception although the tour was a bit different than most.  Earlier today there was a tour of 10 vacant homes in St. Paul's historic Dayton's Bluff neighborhood.  Many of the homes were newly restored.  According to Karin DuPaul, community organizer with the Dayton's Bluff Community Council, "They're older homes just waiting for the right opportunity. Most of them are all fixed up and waiting for the right people."  More on the tour is available at Vacant-home tour: Dayton's Bluff past holds key to future.     #
• A Tour of Two Cities in today's Star Tribune includes the "convenient old house" of Eric Roberts and Laura Davis.  The home will be on the 2012 Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour on April 28 & 29. #
• To read about "The Evolution of the Kitchen" and the two alternative approaches for creating historically sympathetic kitchens, download the Spring 2012 Southwest Journal Home Improvement Guide.  It's in the Convenient Old House column. #