LPA Announces Old House Warming at 601 Louisiana Street

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Location: 601 Louisiana Street

Date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023

Time: 1-3pm

Lawrence Preservation Alliance is excited to invite you to join us for an Old House Warming at 601 Louisiana Street on Sunday, June 11th, 1-3pm. 

Open to the public for the first time since a crowded estate sale in 2019, we are excited to see the progress of this thorough and careful rehab project led by new owner Amy Lee. Built in 1914 for Theo Poehler Company executive Otto B. Guffler and his wife Myrtle, this Neoclassical dwelling of tan brick and native stone --with a circular two-story portico supported by Corinthian columns-- is better known as the longtime home of KU Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Larry Martin and his wife Jean.

When Amy purchased the property in 2020, it was time for a comprehensive repair and mechanical update program to bring it into the 21rst century. Under the direction of general contractor Kenneth A. Peters Builder Inc. and utilizing both the federal and state historic tax credit programs, all service and mechanical systems have been replaced while taking care to disturb as little of the existing walls, ceilings and trim as possible. Out went the collection of old window air conditioners and in went a modern zoned HVAC system. Damaged architectural elements were restored and many smaller repairs completed. Project highlights include the third-floor great room, the new first- floor kitchen, and the refurbished grand entry hall and staircase which had attracted Amy when she first  saw this house.

 Amy has lived in historic houses for years and partnered in purchasing fixer-uppers of older rental properties, but this major project has given her a bigger stage to exercise her entrepreneurial spirit and creative problem-solving skills. Stop by and help LPA congratulate her as she nears the end of this huge project.

This is a free event for old house enthusiasts. LPA membership is not required to enter, but memberships will be available for purchase.

LPA Announces Winter 2022 Preservation in Progress Awards

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LPA Announces Winter 2022 Preservation in Progress Awards

For our Winter 2022 Preservation in Progress Awards, LPA digs into a very interesting but sometimes unnoticed corner of city history, applauds a rehab/new addition project that saves a historic residential property from demolition, and shines a light on a sweet and thoughtful rehabilitation of an old, detached garage.

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LPA partners with Lawrence Modern and Historic Mount Oread Friends to host Endangered Smith Hall Open House

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Join us for a special opportunity to view Ima I. Smith Hall, home of the Department of Religious Studies, a Modern Movement treasure at the University of Kansas that was built in 1967. KU is currently vacating the building and its future is unknown.

All are welcome.

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LPA Announces Old House Warming at 1313 Massachusetts Street

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Please join us to help celebrate the recent completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation of this 1870 gable-front National Folk style house by LPA board member Pat Watkins. Located one door south of the Castle Tea Room, this house has been vacant since 2006, but has now been brought back from death’s doorstep by Pat and a trusted group of contractors, including Kyle Weiland of Stonehouse Construction.

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