Annual Old Hyde Park Home Tour Set for December 2nd

(October 24, 2023) Tampa, FL – Hyde Park Preservation Inc. (HPPI) is proud to announce that its annual historical home tour is back and in full effect. Lovers of vintage architecture and elegant homes will want to attend The Old Hyde Park Home Tour, taking place on Saturday, December 2, 11am-3pm. Several distinctive and beautiful homes in the iconic Hyde Park neighborhood will be available to explore, with sips, snacks and music with other surprises along the way. Proceeds to benefit the preservation and beautification efforts of Hyde Park Preservation, Inc. Tickets are available for $30 in advance and $35 at the event. To purchase tickets in advance go to: https://oldhydeparkfl.membershiptoolkit.com/hometour

Dating to the 1880s, Hyde Park’s development began when railroad magnate Henry Plant built a bridge over the Hillsborough River providing a link to downtown. Plant built his Tampa Bay Hotel north of what was to become Hyde Park and citrus growers James Watrous and William Morrison built the first houses. Hyde Park’s Morrison Grove subdivision is where many of the area’s finest homes can be found. Its infrastructure serves as a frame for one of the best collections of fine old residences in the state. Georgian and classical mansions stand alongside half-timber houses and Craftsman bungalows.

Carren Rieger Friess, President of Hyde Park Preservation, said “We’re thrilled to announce that the Home Tour is back! This year’s event will feature some of Hyde Park’s most exclusive historic properties who are opening their doors to the public for the very first time.”

HPPI is also pleased to announce that two standout businesses are sponsoring the tour: Tampa General Hospital and ZooTampa at Lowry Park. These sponsors are part of the fabric of the Tampa community, one in the health care of our residents and the other in conservation of animals. Their support of our neighborhood association is instrumental in our ability to preserve and beautify this special historic district that is a treasured part of Tampa.

For the first time, St. John’s Episocpal Church will host the check in and ticket purchasing location. The Church recently celebrated their 100-year history, will be open to the public and offering tours that will showcase the 1912 Gothic Revival style building and stunning stained glass windows. Another exciting addition to the tour and open to the public for the first time since its extensive restoration is the “Leiman House.” A rare Florida example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie style and built in 1914, the home is listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Though the style undeniably reflects Wright’s, the house was actually designed by M. Leo Elliott, a Tampa architect who also designed Tampa City Hall, Grand Central Place and El Circulo Cubano (the Cuban Club) in Ybor City. Elliott, considered one of the finest architects in Tampa history, designed the home for Henry Leiman who at the time was president of the Tampa Box Co., the largest maker of wooden cigar boxes in the world. This home is one of many gems on the tour that is highly anticipated.

The Old Hyde Park Home Tour continues a long series of successful home tours that have invited the community into one of Tampa’s most charming and historic neighborhoods. The planning committee, led by co-chairs Sarah Jaycocks and Sarah Tombaugh, are hard at work attending to all the details, including partnering with local restaurants, for refreshments and live entertainment at the homes and along the tour route.

The Old Hyde Park Home Tour: Saturday, December 2nd from 11am-3pm (Note: Event is Rain or Shine)
Ticket pricing: $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Pick up tickets at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Purchase Tickets: https://oldhydeparkfl.membershiptoolkit.com/hometour

Tour route begins at: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 906 South Orleans Tampa, Fl 33606
Free parking is available in the Hyde Park Village Garages.