The Quapaw Quarter Association

P. Allen Smith’s Original Garden Home, the Villa Marre of TV show “Designing Women” fame, and the historic YMCA building headline a series of events to be held in conjunction with the Quapaw Quarter Association’s 2012 Spring Tour of Homes this Mother’s Day weekend, May 12-13.

This year’s featured properties fall within an area designated last week as one of the nation’s best places to purchase a historic home by This Old House Magazine. The tour offers participants the opportunity to step inside the restored and renovated homes, stroll through one of the Quapaw Quarter’s charming neighborhoods and meet the locals.

“Judging by the marked increase in real estate activity that we’ve seen in the area this year alone, it’s clear that public perception of the Quapaw Quarter is growing increasingly positive,” said Rhea Roberts, executive director of the Quapaw Quarter Association. “The homes here are architecturally beautiful, the neighborhoods offer quick access to the entire city, and the residents have built tight-knit communities. That’s a rare mix.”

In addition to the garden of P. Allen Smith, who the New York Times tabbed as “The Martha Stewart of the South,” the tour features a handful of privately owned homes along Arch and Gaines Streets, all within walking distance of each other. Among them are the Charles Thompson-designed Croxson House and the recently rehabilitated Boyle House.

Tickets for the April 13 preview party at the recently re-opened Villa Marre are now available online. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and music as they tour the 1881 mansion and get a sneak peek at auction items to be featured on the tours. Tickets are also available for the Mother’s Day weekend festivities, which include the exclusive candlelight tour, then dinner and gala at the Spanish Revival YMCA building on Saturday, as well as the Sunday afternoon tour from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the historic preservation programs of the QQA. For tickets and more information, email mfiser@quapaw.com or call 501-371-0075.

Tickets purchased online May 8-12 will be available for pick up at the ticket booth located at Gaines Street and Wright Avenue.

On Sunday, May 13, tickets may be purchased for $25 at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue, or at ticket booths located at the intersection of Wright Avenue and Gaines Street, and at the intersection of 21st Street and Arch Street. The ticket booth at 21st and Arch Street will accept credit cards.

2012 Spring Tour Map

Read more about the tour here

Preservation Conversations Schedule

The third Monday of each month, beginning at 5:00, Curran Hall will be open for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine, programs start at 5:30 p.m. and last for one hour. After, all are invited to keep the conversation going and enjoy a discounted dinner nearby.

Preservation Conversations will address a wide range of architectural history and preservation topics.

February 20: Raising Chickens and Urban Farming with Nao Ueda

March 19: Historic Tile with Bryan Byrd

April 16: Screening of "The Greenest Building" (Location TBA)

May 21: A Closer Look at QQA's Spring Tour Houses

June 18: How and Why to Work with the HDC and CZDC

QQA's Festivus for the Best of Us

Tuesday, December 13 at the Arkansas Studies Institute

What: Festivus for the Best of Us

Complete with airing of grievances, feats of strength and a few Festivus miracles. We will also have a great silent auction for your holiday shopping needs.

When: Tuesday, December 13 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: Concordia Hall at the Arkansas Studies Institute

401 President Clinton Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Proceeds benefit the preservation programs of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

Quapaw Quarter Association Annual Membership Meeting and Greater Little Rock Preservation Awards

2011 Annual Report and Awards

View more presentations from quapawquarter

Quapaw Quarter Neighborhoods Community Branding Project

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Quapaw Quarter Neighborhoods Community Branding Project and the resource visit August 22-25. The QQA will send out announcements when we receive the final products.

View the resource visit presentation

View the Chronicle for more information.

Preservation Conversations

On May 18, to celebrate National Preservation Month and Arkansas Heritage Month, the Quapaw Quarter Association announced a brand new preservation education series. Preservation Conversations will start in July and be held monthly at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, on the third Monday of each month. Beginning at 5:00, Curran Hall will be open for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine, programs start at 5:30 p.m. and last for one hour. After, all are invited to keep the conversation going and enjoy a discounted dinner at nearby Copper Grill, 300 East Third Street.

Preservation Conversations will address a wide range of architectural history and preservation topics.

July 18 Rehabilitation: What to Know Before You Start A panel discussion by those who have done it before you

August 15 Historic Windows: How and Why to Save Them By Brian Driscoll, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

September 19 Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits By Tom Marr, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

October 17 Weatherization Tips for Your Old House A panel discussion by green energy and weatherization experts

November 21 Period Furnishings and Colors By Becky Witsell

January 23 Historic Schools of Little Rock Rachel Silva, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

Information on all the topics will be provided. In addition to monthly programs, the QQA will host quarterly hands-on workshops that walk visitors through a historic or endangered property in Little Rock to examine preservation issues and needs. The first will be held on July 30 on South Main Street. All programs are free and open to the public. Call 501.371.0075 ext. 3 or email rroberts@quapaw.com for more information.

2011 Spring Tour of Homes May 7-8

Thank you again to everyone who attended and volunteered for the 2011 Spring Tour. We had another successful tour and a great time. On Saturday, 170 guests sipped champagne as they walked through the five tour houses in the Governor’s Mansion Historic District, and then gathered in the Garth of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for dinner and dancing.

On Sunday afternoon, we welcomed about 700 people to the area. A rubber wheeled trolley took guests from house to house. Along the way, they could buy hot dogs or lemonade, play croquet or sit in the shade and listen to live music.

We want to say a special thanks to our homeowners: Jay Barth and Chuck Cliett, Nick and Mary Paal, Mike Luter and Todd Raney, Scott Shepard, and Mike and Kelly Ward; and to this year’s Tour Chair (for the second time!) Dana Nixon, and her Co-Chairs Laura Sergeant and Anthony Black.

We are excited to announce next year’s Tour Chair is Laura Sergeant, and Co-Chairs are Amanda Sobel Driver and Jarrod Johnson. We’re already planning for next year, if you would like to serve on the committee or volunteer at the tour, please email Rhea at rroberts@quapaw.com or cal 501.371.0075.

Thanks again, 2011 Tour Sponsors and Donors:

Arkansas Democrat Gazette • Scott Heffington, Crye-Leike • Edwards Food Giant • Matlock & Associates • Modern Woodmen of America • Ruebel Funeral Home • Summit Bank • Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects

Mark and Lyne Abernathy/Loca Luna • Arkansas Destinations • Arkansas Natural Produce • Aromatique • Sarah Brown • Boulevard Bread Company • Bylites • Cabbage Rose • Cabot Creamery Cooperative • Cajun’s Wharf • Capital Bar and Grill • Community Bakery • Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro • Edwards Food Giant • Fresh Market • Grapevine Wines and Spirits • Mountain Valley Spring Water • Nixon Flower Farm • Petit Jean Meats • Scott Shepard • Stanley Jewelers Gemologist • The Green Corner Store • Tyson Foods

About the QQA

The Quapaw Quarter Association is a non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the preservation of the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Greater Little Rock.

The QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the "urban renewal" days of the early 1960s, making it one of the oldest preservation organizations in the nation.

Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock, which now boasts over 250 individually-listed National Register properties as well as 15 National Register Historic Districts.

In addition to advocacy on local preservation issues, the QQA's programs include its online newsletter, the Chronicle; an annual Spring Tour of Historic Homes; public workshops; and an historic house marker program.

In 2007, the QQA entered into a contract with the City of Little Rock to manage the city's Visitor Information Center at Historic Curran Hall. The ca. 1842-43 Greek Revival-style house also serves as the Mayor's Reception Hall and is available for rental for private receptions and events.

Click here to learn more about the Quapaw Quarter