“How old is my house?” will be the subject of the first in a series of workshops.

Saluda is gearing up for another historic tour of homes, which will be held on Saturday afternoon, June 1.

In preparation of this Tour of Historic Homes, the Historic Saluda Committee is proud to announce a series of free workshops. It is open to anyone interested in old houses.

The series of three workshops will offer an opportunity to learn from professionals more about Historic Preservation. The theme of the first workshop is “How Old Is My House” and will be held on Friday, March 8 upstairs at the Saluda Library at 10:30 a.m.

Anyone in Saluda or surrounding communities who is interested in learning how to research old houses or buildings should attend.

A discussion of how to find information on your own house or property will be followed by either lunch on your own or a brown bag lunch (each person responsible for own), drinks and cookies will be provided with an opportunity to ask individual questions. Weather permitting, a short stroll will follow to look at the outside of the historic houses to be on the tour of homes.

Researching old houses is fun. Follow the clues and be surprised at what you may find! The game is in the search. Annie McDonald, preservation specialist with the NC State Historic Preservation Office will lead this workshop. Come prepared to learn a lot.

Two more free workshops will be held before the Tour of Homes and Gardens on second Fridays of the month. On April 12, Jennifer Cathey, a restoration specialist, will speak at the workshop titled, “What Style is my House? Why Do Details Matter?”

Lew Halloway, a landscape and the manager of the Hendersonville Mainstreet Program, will lead the final workshop on May 10.

He will discuss streetscapes and why the exterior of houses and properties matter in a historic community.

– article submitted by Carolyn Ashburn