Don’t miss the CWEA House Tour’s Preview Party!

Terrie and Arnie Robbins' cat, see above, is on the lookout for the large crowd that is eagerly anticipating next Friday's (May 17) Preview Party in advance of the 43rd annual CWEA House Tour which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19. The Robbins' house (and garden) is one of six historic homes in the 5000-5100 block of Westminster Place that will be on view. Two landmark buildings in the “Holy Corners” historic district
— including the Tuscan Temple (5015 Westminster at Kingshighway), which has never been opened to the
general public, are also on this year's tour.

As someone who has worked on the house tour committee in past years and whose home has been included on the tour, I know what goes into this fundraiser from both sides. It's a year-long project for the hard-working committee to find the homeowners within a concentrated area that are willing to give up their house for the weekend, find sponsors to help underwrite the event, find volunteers to man the houses, deal with the logistics of parking on private streets, etc., etc. Though I must admit it was a great incentive to get a few things slipcovered, the homeowners essentially vacate their house for the weekend and invite a few thousand people into their homes. But the massive effort is all for a great cause that benefits the whole CWE neighborhood (i.e. both sides of Lindell), one that people in the St. Louis community talk about for years.

Proceeds from the House Tour benefit the Central West End Association, a not-for-profit organization founded in
1958, that is committed to preserving the neighborhood’s history and
celebrating its diversity. The Preview Party, which takes place on Friday evening May 17, will be held in the Tuscan Temple. Committee member Katie O'Connor sent the following info about the Preview Party:

"We're really trying to deliver the value of the $75 ticket price! Instead of a
caterer, several neighborhood restaurants are teaming up to provide
dinner — sort of a taste of the CWE concept on a very small scale. The restaurants participating are: West End Grill, Bar Italia, SubZero, Green Bean, and Central Cafe. Desserts will be provided by Torta Bella (see previous post here). We're also going to have a specialty cocktail that was
created just for
the party by a local mixologist, Matt Sorrell of Cocktails Are Go; it
doesn't have a name yet but is made with gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon
juice, cucumber, simple syrup and cava. We'll also have a live band, The Kevin Mitchell 4, and gift bags with some nice treats
from Bissinger's and more."

Katie continued: "Of course, during the party, guests will get to tour the houses before the weekend's crowds. I think it will be a lovely evening, sort of an elegant street party!"

CWEA Preview Party (May 17) and House Tour (May 18 & 19): To purchase tickets for the Preview Party ($75 each) or House Tour ($22 in advance; $25 day of) visit the CWEA website; or call the office (314) 367-2220. House Tour tickets are also available for purchase at Coffee Cartel and Left Bank Books.