Westcott Sunday Architecture and History Walking Tours (Spring 2014)

With architectural historian Sam Gruber.

Join popular Syracuse historian, preservationist and tour guide Sam Gruber as he describes and explains the development of the Westcott neighborhood, its architecture and its distinctive “Streetcar Suburb” characteristics. Most of the neighborhood was planned and built between 1870 and 1930, and in its blocks are scores of examples of fine residential architecture in many styles: Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and a variety of examples of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Dr. Gruber will discuss these and other trends in urban design, and many features of house architecture and city streets we often take for granted. Whether you are a longtime resident of the Westcott Neighborhood or a first time visitor, you’ll see and learn something new on these community-sponsored walks.

All tours are free to the public. Tours start at 1 pm and last approximately 2 hours.

Sunday, April 27

The Old Neighborhood: South Beech, Dell, Columbus and Westcott Streets

Startpoint: Picasso’s Pastries, NW corner of Dell and Westcott Streets
(Parking: on street and at free community lot on Harvard Place)

Sunday, May 4

West of Westcott: Euclid Street, Clarendon Street & Adjoining Streets

Startpoint: Westcott Community Center (Westcott St. & Euclid Ave.)
(Parking: on street or at Erwin Methodist Church, across From WCC)

Sunday, May 18

Stately Streets: Allen, Cambridge and Harvard

Startpoint: Recess Café, 110 Harvard Place (off Westcott)
(Parking: on street and at free community lot on Harvard Place, across from café)

Sunday, June 1

Westcott’s England: Westminster, Buckingham, Kensington & Lancaster Neighborhood

Startpoint: Westcott Community Center (Westcott St. &Euclid Ave.)
(Parking: on street or at Erwin Methodist Church, across From WCC)

Sam Gruber is an internationally known art and architectural historian, and cultural heritage consultant, who is a longtime resident of the Westcott Neighborhood. He served for many years on the board of the Westcott Neighborhood Association and the Preservation Association of Central New York, and formerly led the Westcott Neighborhood Historic House Tours. Sam teaches part-time at Syracuse University and writes the blog My Central New York.