Holiday
Tour of Homes
Crestwood
Holiday Tour
showcases unique structures
Kincer
home has unique southern colonial style
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
PEWEE VALLEY, Ky. (November 2005) The eclectic
furnishings of Jim and Joyce Kincers Pewee Valley home mix with
family heirlooms to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Their southern
colonial home features a custom built look plus all the comforts of
home.
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Photo
by Helen McKinney
The
Kincer home illustrates
a southern Colonial style.
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The most unique feature is the property itself,
said Joyce Kincer. The Georgian colonial home sits on eight acres, half
of which is wooded. The design was based on a plantation home
we had seen in Arkansas, said Kincer.
Marlesgate Plantation is the antebellum home southeast of Little Rock
that the Kincers had fallen in love with while visiting friends.
Part of the design for the Kincers home developed from the foyer
of Marlesgate. The Kincers incorporated a custom built ten-foot wide
staircase in their homes large entry foyer.
Built in 1990, the Kincers home has large rooms with 10-foot to
20-foot ceilings. Custom millwork can be found throughout the six bedroom,
five bathroom, 10,000 square-foot home. Kincers brothers, who
own the Blacketer Co., did most of the work.
The Kincer home is one of three featured structures on the annual Holiday
Home Tour and Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 18, and sponsored by the Crestwood
Civic Club. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. There will
be two seatings for lunch at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
There is a lot of character in an old antebellum home, said
Kincer. When the Kincers bought the property at 8300 Huston Lane from
Ruth Asher, it still contained the original cottage house, which they
have restored. Their home is furnished with family heirlooms and antiques
they have collected throughout the years. Its pretty traditional,
said Kincer.
Jim Kincer, originally from Letcher County, Ky., is a former mayor of
Pewee Valley and founder of the local branch of IKON Office Systems.
His longtime hobby is collecting vintage cars. Joyce, born and raised
in Springfield, Ky., said she likes the look of old homes.
Also featured is the St. James Episcopal Church, located at 401 La Grange
Rd. The building has the appearance of a 12th century country church
and was completed in 1869 at a cost of $4,000. The process began with
sketches by Kentucky Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith while on a trip
to England. Well-known ecclesiastical architect and builder William
Henry Redin also contributed to its existence.
Redin, a Louisvillian, used native Pewee Valley limestone to aid in
the churches Rural Gothic Revival style. It was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.
A rectory was built in 1908 and 15 acres of the original 20 were sold
to provide construction funds. Through burgoo suppers, socials and a
play, the Womens Guild in 1924 helped buy an organ for St. James.
The third home on the tour is Tanglewood, located on 15 acres adjacent
to St. James Episcopal Church. This property was purchased from the
church in 1868 for the purpose of constructing a Swiss style, 10-room
home with a basement and coupelo. Like the church, the home is also
on the historic register.
Helena Grimes and her husband, David Gleason, own Tanglewood. Gleason
moved into the home at age 5 and grew up there. After his mother passed
away, he moved back into the 3,000-square-foot home with his wife.
Originally built as a spec house in 1869, the style of the home is Swiss,
said Grimes. The style is now referred to as Italianate.
At one point in its history, author Annie Fellows Johnston immortalized
Tanglewood in theLittle Colonial series. Mary Ware was one
of the Pewee Valley residents characterized in Johnstons books.
Ware was proposed to on the original farm, said Grimes.
Grimes even believes that the property was used as a park at a time
that predated the house. Johnston wrote in one of her books about the
lilies of the valley growing near Tanglewood, and lilies did actually
grow in the front yard. A city pump was also located at the front of
the property.
Grimes and Gleason moved into the home a year ago. They spent 18 months
renovating the home because it had settled over time and needed some
repairs. Grimes loves the home because of the history it has,
she said. Its located in the small town of Pewee Valley but yet
in close proximity to Louisville.
Over time, the home has been used for different things, said Grimes.
It began as a home, was used as a duplex for several elderly ladies
in the community, and as a doctors office. During Prohibition
years, the occupant made whiskey in the upstairs bathtub, which is still
in the home, said Grimes. She was told that he rolled kegs down the
stairs, taking the spindles out and replacing them after he had gotten
the kegs downstairs.
Tanglewoods parlor is furnished with furniture that belonged to
Grimes and Gleasons grandmothers. The home contains a modern
kitchen. The original flooring and light fixtures exist with the locks
and hinges having been refinished on the doors.
One unique point is the cupola. In New England homes with this feature,
it is said that sailors wives watched the air for signs from the
cupola, she said. In this home, Grimes was told occupants used them
to watch for Indians.
The exterior gingerbread detailing has been repaired and copies made
to use on the deck and other parts of the house, said Grimes. It
is a mix of old and new things, she said.
To purchase tickets for the home tour and
luncheon, contact Ann Murner at (502) 241-5971. Tickets are also available
at the door.
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Articles.