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Thursday, May 9, 2019

Woman’s Club sets second annual Historic Homes Tour for Saturday, June 8, with lunch option; tickets limited

Parrish Hill at Southern Equine Farm, a repeat stop from last year's inaugural tour (Photo by Sarah Ladd)
Adapted from a press release

The Midway Woman’s Club is giving visitors an intimate look inside more interesting homes in the Bluegrass during its second annual Historic Homes Tour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8.

Homes chosen for this year’s tour were owned by longtime Midway families, including the Starks family, creators of Starks' Headache Powders; the Parrish and Roach families, distinguished thoroughbred breeders and supporters of what is now Midway University; and the Hicks family, noted farmers and business owners.

Also on the tour are the Midway Presbyterian Church, ca. 1870, and the nearby Sons and Daughters of Relief cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Midway, the burial place of veterans and several prominent African-American community leaders who were former slaves. The cemetery is also believed to be where famous horseman Edward Dudley Brown is buried in an unmarked grave.

Stops on the tour are:

Benson Bungalow, c. 1870s — The home’s interior, designed by owner Judi Benson, has been featured on HGTV.

Starks-Thurman Home, pre-1835 — One of Midway’s oldest residences, this home was occupied for decades by Richard S. Starks, who created Starks’ Headache Powders, a popular medication in the late 19th century and well into the 20th century.

Cooper-Wilder House, 1908 — This American Foursquare house was built by an editor, owned by educators, and lived in by prominent Midway families.

Hicks Home, 1923 — Built by Ben and Hallie Gay Parrish, this home has been loved by the Walden and Hicks families for many years. It was constructed in the Federal style with a lovely front porch.

Southern Equine — Another look at this grand home and former Parrish Hill Farm, where several thoroughbreds of note were bred, including Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic. This home was one of the most popular stops on the inaugural Historic Homes Tour, and is seen in the new film "Midway to Love."

Midway Presbyterian Church, 1870/1909 — This Gothic Revival edifice, constructed of stucco on brick, with stunning stained-glass windows, has been a Midway landmark since it was built. The lot was deeded in 1840 from the Lexington-Ohio Railroad to be used as a school and a church lot for this new town built by the railroad.

Sons and Daughters of Relief Cemetery — the oldest cemetery in Midway and final resting place of veterans as well as former slaves who became leaders in the town’s African-American community.

Tour tickets are $20 with lunch ticket option (details below) and are available online at Eventbrite, bit.ly/2VV7mdd, and at Railroad Drug and May & Co. on Railroad Street; Marketplace on Main, 116 E, Main St., Versailles; and The Rag Peddler, 250 Walton Ave., Lexington. At the store locations, only cash or checks will be accepted.

The Woman’s Club is also offering Tour with Lunch ticket, which includes the tour and a three-course gourmet lunch at the Holly Hill Inn, another former Parrish family home (not on the tour). Seatings will be at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Tour with Lunch tickets are $50 each (includes tax and tip), and are available on Eventbrite only.

The number of tickets is limited. Houses are not handicapped-accessible, and the tour is self-directed. It begins at Northside Elementary School, 500 Northside Drive in Midway, where ticket receipts must be redeemed for admission booklets. No photography is allowed.

Proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Club, a non-profit group dedicated to helping Midway families and the community. For more information, go to bit.ly/2VV7mdd, Eventbrite.com, the Midway Woman’s Club Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MidwayWomansClub/, or email midwaywomansclubky@gmail.com.

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