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2007 09 21

Random Rippling

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n19)

Third annual BRVA Home Tour preview - By Ashley Plummer

posted: Sept. 21, 2007

By Ashley Plummer

The 2007 Broad Ripple Village Association Historic Home Tour, where village residents open the doors of their beautiful homes to the public, will take place on Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Advance tickets for the tour are available for $10 at three area Marsh locations (Broad Ripple, Nora and Castleton) as well as all area Old National Bank locations.

In its third year, the tour will feature ten area houses from the early 1900's through the 1930's. The architectural diversity from this particular era includes Bungalow, Craftsman, Tudor Revival and other numerous styles of homes-even some with elements of all the featured fashions.

"The ultimate goal of the Home Tour is to raise funds for the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA)," Heather Lusk said. "We [Broad Ripple residents] are fortunate enough to have a wonderful village association in our area that cares so much about raising funds to benefit the area."

Lusk, whose home is on the tour, has also been working hard as the press contact for the tour through the BRVA.

Lusk explained that many of the funds from the city do not go directly towards the beautification of the village, so the BRVA holds special events throughout the year that directly benefit certain things that may not be apparent to all residents.

The income generated by the home tour has what is described as a "Ripple Down" benefit throughout the community all year long. Along with BRVA membership dues, the funds raised from the tour help the BRVA provide services such as tending to area gardens, the periodic repainting of the rainbow bridge and the ongoing removal of unwanted graffiti on both public and private properties.

"We all obviously want Broad Ripple to be a nicer place," Lusk said.

Lusk continued and mentioned future plans for BRVA funds include the purchase of a Green Machine, an environmentally friendly device that will aide in the street cleaning process in Broad Ripple.

While more in-depth coverage on each home will be provided in a future article on the home tour, here is a quick glimpse at what a tour guest can expect to see:

The Clark-Ingraham House

6106 Kingsley Drive

Originally built in 1939, the house at 6106 Kingsley Drive was purchased by Ruth Anne Ingraham in 1965 for $19,999, plus one dollar from their realtor.

When asked about how she felt about being invited to be part of the tour, Ingraham said "It was a great compliment."

"I love my home," she said. "And I am please that others will get to see it."

A house that she describes has a "New England charm," Ingraham has made numerous changes to the home over the years, including the addition of a fabulous garden that is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat-which means it provides all the vital ingredients to support wildlife, including nuts, berries and specific kinds of pollen.

Beyond numerous renovations that include a major "facelift" to the sitting room (with glass doors that open up to her beautiful garden), Ingraham's home has an eclectic and artsy charm that features art pieces from as far off as China.

She has a collection of small pieces of contemporary art glass that is scattered throughout the house with one main center display. She also has quite a bit of original art, including a second generation Cariani-an oil painting focusing on the Brown County landscape.

A guest from China also gave her Chinese water color scrolls that additionally compliment the home décor.

The co-founder of the Indiana Native Plant and Wildlife Society (which is obviously reflected in her gardens), Ingraham has lived in the house for 42 years now. Be sure not to miss her home on this year's tour-especially if you consider yourself a lover of all things outdoors.

The Coleman-Evaniew House

6280 Washington Boulevard

Originally built in 1931, Tom Evaniew and his wife Carol Isaacson were attracted to the charming tudor exterior of 6280 Washington Boulevard and purchased the home from Ann Berkeley in 2006.

According to the BRVA, since the purchasing of their home Evaniew and Isaacson have "busied themselves with renovations to their residence." They added that the couple's love for the arts and crafts have had a strong influence on the changes and diversity of their home.

The arts and crafts style, which originated from the late nineteenth century, promoted the use of natural, handcrafted materials, and the couple's efforts are obvious in the home's dark wood moldings. The BRVA added that the couple has also worked hard to preserve the historic integrity of the house by replacing lights and other fixtures with period-appropriate fixtures.

In reference to having her own house on the tour, Lusk said that the tour is great for home owners involved because once they become involved, renovations are immediately accelerated.

She also mentioned that one of the biggest reasons she was excited to be involved in the home tour was to find out the history of her home, which is a benefit that all those who open their homes are rewarded with.

If you do not purchase tickets before the tour, tickets can be bought for $12 at three of the homes on the tour the day of: 6279 Washington Boulevard, 6104 Broadway Street and 6106 Kingsley Drive.

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