Preservation Burlington tour visits homes on South Union, South Willard, Howard streets

The Preservation Burlington homes tour returns in June, providing the curious a chance to get a sneak peek into sites of architectural and historic significance in the city.

This year’s properties range from a mansion on Willard Street that is now a boutique hotel to a home in the South End that once served as a market. The self-guided tour takes place June 8 and lets participants see a half-dozen homes inside and out. Community volunteers are available to help those taking the tour.

Here are some details about the sites on the homes tour, as provided by Preservation Burlington:

South Union Street, 1869 Colonial Revival-style

Built for Irish immigrant Patrick Rourke and his Irish Canadian wife, Ellen, this home survived an 1878 fire. “The Rourke House is significant for its massing, front porch with pedimented gable supported by doric columns, 6-panel front door flanked by leaded sidelights and topped with a leaded transom, 6/1 wooden sash, triple grouped windows over the main entrance, modillion block cornice with full entablature, and narrow corner pilasters,” according to Preservation Burlington. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Union Street Historic District in 1988.

South Union Street, 1898 Shingle-style

This home belonged to Frank Boynton, who ran the shoe store Fletcher and Boynton on Church Street. “This asymmetrical home features two distinctive roof types commonly used in Shingle style architecture—gambrel facing the street, and jerkin head above the north entrance,” according to Preservation Burlington. “Other significant and character-defining features are the home’s massing, distinctive wood-shingled second-story, and unusual fenestration: round-headed 9/1 gable end windows, 6/1 sash on the 2nd story, and 6/2 sash on the first story.”  The Boynton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Union Street Historic District in 1988.

South Union Street, circa 1845 Greek Revival-style

This house belonged to nationally acclaimed poet, lawyer, newspaper editor, Vermont attorney general and gubernatorial candidate John Godfrey Saxe and around 1870 was altered in the Italianate style. “Its unusual massing is due to the blending of the two architectural styles - at the core is a Greek Revival-style wood-frame house with American bond brick veneer, wide cornice, and entablature,” according to Preservation Burlington. The property was heavily damaged by a 2020 fire but has been refurbished. The Saxe House was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Union Street Historic District in 1988.

South Willard Street, 1882 Colonial Revival-style

The brick home at South Willard and Spruce Streets was built by architect A.B. Fisher for former state senator and bank executive Charles W. Woodhouse. “On the west, facing the lake, is a classically detailed porch that opens onto a grand, double staircase with redstone base and marble balustrade and stair treads,” according to Preservation Burlington. In 1984 the building became a retirement home and later the Willard Street Inn. In 2022 the property became a boutique hotel called Blind Tiger Burlington. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Willard Street Historic District in 1988.

Howard Street, circa 1886 Vernacular Queen Anne-style

Brick mason Albert F. Warner acquired the lot in August 1883 and built his home. “With its front gable orientation, the house is similar to many built in Burlington at that time, except for its extended and dormered right roof slope,” according to Preservation Burlington. The house has been both a rental property and a private residence over the years.

Howard Street, 1923 Colonial Revival-style

This house belonged to Hermengilde Blanchard and his wife, Eveline, who had six daughters and three sons. The family operated a neighborhood grocery store on the lower level of the house, separating it from the kitchen with a simple curtain, according to Preservation Burlington, which says the house has only had three owners in its 101 years.

If you go

WHAT: Preservation Burlington homes tour

WHEN: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8

WHERE: Locations throughout Burlington

INFORMATION: $20. www.preservationburlington.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Preservation Burlington tour visits historic homes throughout city