In 2007 Knox Heritage embarked on the most exciting initiative in its history. In partnership with HGTV’s Restore America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Knox Heritage purchased and completely restored two homes in the Parkridge Neighborhood’s Edgewood-Park City Historic District. The homes stood vacant and blighted, but the region and the country witnessed a breathtaking transformation that returned them to their former beauty while highlighting the work of our most famous Victorian-era architect and the history of this special neighborhood.
Since 2003, HGTV's Restore America program has provided $4 million to fund 47 restoration projects around the country. HGTV donated $1 million for the 2006-2007 campaign to fund community revitalization grants. More than 100 grant applications were received from nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the country to complete residential projects. Knox Heritage’s “George Barber Houses – A Place for America to Call Home” project was one of only 11 selected for the program this year.
Check out this video with Knox Heritage Executive Director, Kim Trent about the project.
Check back for additional information, before & after photos, and more about this spectacular transformation of two George Barber houses.