The Landmark Society’s 45th Annual House and Garden Tour Living on the Hilltops: Highland Heights and Highland Avenue East June 6 and 7, 2015
This year we are taking you to the top – the top of the Pinnacle Range. One of our area’s most prominent geological features, it’s a linear series of hills and knobs that extends from the Genesee River to Winton Road, including Mt. Hope, Pinnacle Hill and Cobbs Hill. It’s also one of the rare Rochester locations where you can enjoy homes in a hilltop setting. The tour will focus on the south side of Cobbs Hill, with residents on Highland Avenue, Highland Heights and Cobbs Hill Drive opening their doors for you. Eight private homes are on the tour – and only one has been open in the past.
We’re proud and honored that a private neighborhood in this area has agreed to welcome house tour visitors for the very first time. Highland Heights is a cluster of homes designed as a private enclave at the top of the hill. Two buildings will be open for us, including a spectacular Claude Bragdon-designed home.
The homes on Highland Avenue and Cobbs Hill Drive are also sure to delight. If you are a fan of Tudor Revival, this is the tour for you – several houses exhibit this romantic style. But this is not all “Tudor castles on a hill.” We’ve got an amazing Colonial Revival home that will transport you to the tidewater area of Virginia. If you’re feeling in a mid-century modern mood, there’s a great architect-designed home built in 1950.
Part of the charm of this tour is that you’ll be able to stroll the sidewalks and enjoy the neighborhood, as most of the houses are within walking distance of each other. But as you might guess, there will be a bit of hill climbing; a few driveways are rather steep. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
If you’ve never participated in the June tour, you’ll want to know that you can go at your own pace. Your ticket booklet provides a map, descriptions of the house, and admission to each home for one visit. You may go in any order – you can even choose to visit some houses on Saturday and others on Sunday. Our tour headquarters will be in St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, a wonderful early 20th century Gothic Revival building. The church commissioned Pike Stained Glass to design, create and install 35 stained glass windows. Valerie O’Hara, owner and designer at Pike Stained Glass, will be on hand from noon to 2 pm each day to answer questions.
Pre-Tour Talk: will be Thursday, June 4th at 7 pm at St Thomas’ Episcopal Church. “The UNnatural History of Cobbs Hill: How humans have shaped and reshaped beautiful Cobbs Hill. The talk is FREE to ticket holders – present your ticket at the talk, or pick up your pre-ordered ticket that evening. Tour tickets may also be purchased that evening (if not sold out) or you may attend the talk only for $5.
Tour tickets available NOW! Click here to purchase your tickets online.
Advance tickets for Landmark Society members are $18, available only directly from The Landmark Society on our website or by calling (585) 546-7029 x11. The nonmember advance price is $22, and may be purchased from us, or at Parkleigh, corner of Park Avenue and Goodman Street. On the days of the tour, tickets for all will be $25, if we are not sold out.
We are grateful to the major House & Garden Tour Sponsors: