Saturday evening May 13 and Sunday afternoon May 14, the 49th Annual CHRS House and Garden Tour will draw architectural, gardening, and décor aficionados from across the area to view a selection of Capitol Hill’s most interesting new and traditional properties.

The CHRS House and Garden Tour is renowned for presenting some of the most unique homes on Capitol Hill each year while still retaining the presence of the quintessential “Hill home.” With such a high benchmark set from year to year, you would think that soon we would have seen it all. Well, think again! For the 2006 tour, organizers have pulled out all of the stops and included some truly exquisite and eclectic homes that range from the most modern and au courant styles to more traditional restorations updated to suit even the most exacting preservationist. Moreover, the selections clearly show how new construction and total renovations can fit seamlessly into the historic fabric of the Capitol Hill community.

Many of the original design features found on this year’s tour are very creative. Mark Nasberg and Howard Nelson’s home has a contemporary motif that gives expression to their love of open spaces. The stunning grand piano is strategically placed in the living room which leads out through multiple glass doors to a beautiful courtyard with a lap pool. It is perfect for an early evening tune while having cocktails in the garden. Throughout the house rooms are accented with sumptuous stone and marble imported from a number of European countries. The art featured in the Nasberg/Nelson home is eclectic yet wonderfully familiar. Be on the look-out for the Blue Dog.

Kitchens, once thought of as “mom’s” domain, now are where everyone wants to spend their time, and Capitol Hill is no exception. Several of this year’s homes have incredible gourmet kitchens with top end imported appliances and cabinetry; two have romantic fireplaces/grills in the kitchen that owners use regularly when wining and dining. And of course, many kitchens are wired to support all of the high-tech bells and whistles that today’s home chef could want including wireless access to internet recipe files, Food Channel shows on the DVR, and control of the surround-sound music to keep guests in the mood! Sadly, these kitchens do not yet clean themselves but hey! maybe that is on next year’s tour.

Homes with numerous working fireplaces and pocket doors are almost a theme of this year’s tour. Uber lobbyist Bernie Robinson of The Livingston Group, for example, has six fireplaces in working order. The Robinson home, which recently was redone, is one of the most spacious and welcoming homes on the Hill. Mr. Robinson has traveled extensively, as witnessed by his various mementos from around the world. Along with fabulous mantles and painstakingly restored woodwork, this home also features an old-fashioned step-up bar recovered from a since-closed DC watering hole. Once can imagine many a pint raised along that rail!

Stunning art works complement the beautifully restored Lincoln Park home of Andy Grundberg, writer, curator, teacher, and arts consultant who heads the photography program at the Corcoran College of Arts and Design, and Merry Foresta, Director of the Smithsonian Photography Initiative. On view throughout their home are museum quality photographs from the 1800s along with contemporary paintings by well-known artists. Grundberg and Foresta will be providing a guide to their collection so visitors will be able to fully appreciate the exhibit and the house.

And, yes, we all know that it would not be a Capitol Hill tour without a wealth of presidential and other political memorabilia. Ronald Kaufman, Chairman of Dutko Worldwide and former White House Political Director under President George H.W. Bush, has a veritable trove of photos taken at historically significant events of the past 25 years. Kaufman, also a President Lincoln aficionado, has appointed his home with very gracious and elegant antiques in the public spaces which are then supported by a homey country kitchen for family and casual dinners. Outside, the patio is shaded by an enormous crepe myrtle and other trees that shelter the hot-tub and sauna.

These are but a few of the homes featured on the 49th Annual CHRS House and Garden Tour. The candlelight tour begins Saturday evening at 5:00 PM and continues until 8:00. Many Barracks Rows restaurants and shops participating in Second Saturday will be offering free refreshments to ticket holders between 5:00 PM and 8:00. Sunday’s tour runs from noon through 5:00 PM with a tea from 2:30 PM to 5:30 at Friendship House located at 619 D Street SE. Also on Sunday, a free shuttle bus service will run between venues.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on tour weekend. They may be purchased at the CHRS kiosk at Eastern Market (weekends only) and at select venues around the city including:

• Coldwell Banker/Pardoe Real Estate, 605 Pennsylvania SE
• Trover Books, 221 Pennsylvania Ave SE
• Prudential Carruthers Realtors, 216 7th St SE
• Appalachian Spring, Union Station, East Hall
• Cherry Antiques, 1526 Wisconsin Ave NW, (Georgetown)
• Riverby Books, 417 East Capitol St SE

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society, the oldest and largest civic organization on Capitol Hill celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2005. In September 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the largest and most prestigious preservation organization in the United States, awarded CHRS with the Trustees’ Award for Organizational Excellence noting that CHRS often is known as “the guardians of Capitol Hill.” Today, among other things CHRS, a volunteer run organization protects Capitol Hill’s residential character by challenging threatening and inappropriate developments and incursions in the neighbourhood; helps residents to protect their property values; offers advice on the maintenance and repair of historic buildings; works to improve city services; and assists with Ward 6 planning. The annual house and garden tour is just one of many neighbourhood programs it offers.