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BILOXI - RESIDENTIAL Pilgrimage Chairman - Mrs. Jane M. Owen Saturday, April 4 - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1.	HOME OF NEWTON AND GLADYS VEST, 173 Kenmore Avenue, Edgewater Park. This home was built in 1981 when the Vests moved here from Virginia. The highlight of your visit here is Gladys' collection of about two hundred dolls which are beautifully displayed throughout with memorabilia from the childhood of the Vests and their three sons. The entrance hall, where a German bisque bride doll appears to have just descended the staircase in the background, is but the beginning. An “around-the-world” collection and the variety of both antique and modern dolls throughout the first floor and also two rooms on the second floor make this home a collector's haven. Members of the Bay Vista Garden Club are hostesses.
2.	HOME AND GARDENS OF DR. AND MRS. TOM MASON, JR., 2515 Brighton Circle, River Place. The arbor type entrance is scattered with potted plants and wicker furniture. As you enter, you are treated to a panoramic view of the main living space, including the formal dining room table set with a collection of English blue and white china. The home is tastefully decorated with fine antiques along with traditinal upholstered furniture and oriental accents for a true eclectic feeling that makes this house a home for very comfortable living. The back and side decks are joined by a hand cut and laid flagstone walkway, which is bordered by numerous varieties of evergreens in a lovely garden setting. Hostesses are members of the Dogwood Garden Club.
3.	HOME OF MR. FRANK GENZER. JR., 145 Saint Jude (corner of Father Ryan and Saint Jude). The residence of Mr. Frank Genzer, Jr., architect, is the recently remodeled Avondale Food Store, a neighborhood landmark for more than five decades. The 2,900 square foot structure contains three bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a large great room which accommodates the living room, dining room, study, kitchen and solarium. The house features neo-classic detailing, extensive built-ins and numerous walled courtyards which greatly expand the living space. The residence is furnished in an eclectic style with classic modem, American empire and art deco antiques. Hostesses are members of the Biloxi and Miramar Garden Clubs.
4.	HOME OF DR. AND MRS. J. C. McKENNEY, 1196 Beach Blvd. This home, known as the Father Ryan House, was built between 1840 and 1841 by Judge Wade, who had bought the property in 1838. The property was valued at $112.00 and extended from the Mississippi Sound to the Back Bay. In 1843, the house, which consisted of only the lower level, was sold to the wife of a wealthy cotton merchant from New Orleans for $2,500.00.
After the Civil War, Father Abram Ryan lived there part of several years. He had been a Chaplain serving with the Confederate Forces and later became famous for his poetry. He was known as the poet-laureate of the Confederacy and some of the poems written while he was living here include, “Sea Rest” and “Sea Reverie.” He and Jefferson Davis were personal friends and visited each other when he stayed here.
In the later part of the 1800’s, the house was purchased by Thomas Carter, an architect from England, who was living in New Orleans. He added on the second and third floor around the tum of the century. The house has since seen many uses and stages of repair or neglect. In 1976, the property was bought by Dr. and Mrs. O’Keefe, who began a major renovation. Dr. and Mrs. McKenney purchased the property in 1989 from the O’Keefes and have been continuing this renovation. They plan to fully restore and furnish the ground floor to the condition known by Father Ryan. Hostesses are members of the Azalea and Oak Park Garden Clubs.
5.	TULLIS-TOLEDANO MANOR, East Beach Blvd. Built by Christoval and Matilda Toledano, circa 1856, the rich detail entranceway and
dormers enhanced one of Biloxi’s most striking early mansions. Owned by the City of Biloxi by purchase from the Tullis family after Hurricane Camille, the house has been restored and furnished in period furniture, and is operated in conjunction with the Tullis Board as an historical attraction. Tullis annually hosts the “Ethnic Trees of Christmas” and is part of the “Christmas on the Water” for Biloxi’s spectacular Christmas weekend. The spacious grounds still contain some of Biloxi’s legendary live oaks. Hostesses are members of the Acacia Garden Club.
TWILIGHT TIME AT THE OLD BRICK HOUSE I Saturday, April 4 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
JEAN. BAPTISTE CARQUOTTE HOUSE (OLD BRICK HOUSE) 622 Bayview (Take Lameuse Street North until it deadends at the Back Bay of Biloxi. Turn right onto Bayview Avenue and follow the arrows to the house.) The oldest brick house in Biloxi, built on a Spanish Land Grant site running from the Bay to the Front Beach confirmed in 1786 to Jean Baptiste Carquotte, is made of hand-made brick, probably from the brick-mill on the premises noted in a 1722 map, (also where many of the New Orleans’ French Quarter buildings obtained their brick). Rescued from oblivion by the Biloxi Council of Garden Clubs, formed to rehabilitate this Biloxi treasure, the house was deeded to the Garden Clubs in 1966. In 1989, the Garden Clubs deeded the house back to the city with protective reversionary clauses to insure its continued public usage. The Biloxi Garden Center, Inc., with the City, administers the usage. Don’t miss the TWILIGHT TIME CONCERT AT THE OLD BRICK HOUSE arranged for your listening pleasure this evening - one of a series of Spring-Summer concerts. By popular request, the Jazz Society Hall of Fame Musicians entertain you, accompanied by their equally famous Second Liners, whose ravishingly beautiful umbrellas are part of the act. Outdoor concert on the grounds - bring your own chairs, beach blankets, etc., if possible. A wine and cheese reception and the open house are hosted by members of the Biloxi Garden Center.


Pilgrimage Document (080)
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