Wine and cheese tour to offer look into historic homes

History buffs take note: The Landmark Association is offering glimpses into several historic properties at a Monday fundraiser and at its annual meeting May 22. The Landmark Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic structures and architecture, will offer a wine and cheese tour of the Underwood-McElroy House at 1302 State St. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. The home was built by Bowling Green’s second mayor, John Cox Underwood, a prolific builder and architect. Renovations to the circa 1870 home by Elaine and Dorian Walker are nearly complete. The couple purchased the home eight years ago when it was divided into four apartments. “We’ve always been fascinated by the house ... from the day we saw it we thought it would be great to turn it back to a single-family home,” Dorian Walker said. “The exciting thing about it beyond its style and age is that it was pretty much intact. The renovations (into apartments) happened so long ago that the workmanship was quite good.” “The exterior frame planks are scored so that they like stone,” noted Landmark Association Treasurer Jonathan Jeffrey. “That was a real popular thing in the 1870s.” With renovations nearly complete, Dorian Walker said it seemed like a good time to let the public see the historic house. “We’ve gotten a lot of questions about the house, so this seemed like a great opportunity,” he said. “We’ve long supported Landmark. It’s such an important and good thing for our community.” Tickets are $10 at the door with proceeds going to benefit the association’s rehabilitation grant program and other activities. On May 22, the Landmark Association will have its annual dinner meeting at three locations. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. at Booth Fire & Safety at 538 State St. with a wine and cheese reception and tour of the renovated building. The next stop will be tours of the historic Underwood-Jones House at 506 State St. It was also built by Underwood in 1875 and has other ties to local history. For almost 50 years, the home was the dwelling/office of Z.K. Jones, the son of a slave who became a prominent physician for Bowling Green’s black community. “It has beautiful woodwork, paneling and floors,” Jeffrey said. “It’s absolutely stunning.” The house is for sale by its current owner, the LifeSkills social service agency. Dinner will be then be served at 6:30 p.m. at State Street Baptist Church. The dinner will feature the presentation of preservation awards and a performance by Jesse Varner, who will portray Bowling Green native Ernest Hogan, who some consider to be the father of ragtime music. Tickets for the annual dinner are $20 with reservations required by May 19. — For more information or reservations, call the Landmark Association at 782-0037.
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