Tour Showcases Mid-Century Architecture

Gregory Herman, right, associate professor of architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, speaks Saturday to a group associated with the Historic Preservation Alliance in front of the Durst House on Fairview Drive in Fayetteville. The home was designed by John G. Williams, founder of the UA’s school of architecture and teacher of Fay Jones, and featured on a tour of significant homes in Fayetteville.
Gregory Herman, right, associate professor of architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, speaks Saturday to a group associated with the Historic Preservation Alliance in front of the Durst House on Fairview Drive in Fayetteville. The home was designed by John G. Williams, founder of the UA’s school of architecture and teacher of Fay Jones, and featured on a tour of significant homes in Fayetteville.

— When Mark and Carie Pryor bought their home four years ago, they didn’t realize others would want a sneak peek inside.

The Fayetteville couple said they fell in love with the home for its open space and scenic views from Mount Sequoyah.

But others have become fascinated with its historic significance, according to Vanessa McKuin, director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas.

The home was built in 1962 by Warren D. Seagraves, a Fayetteville architect who designed many public buildings in the area, including the Fulbright Building, Southwest Electric Power Company division office and the Unitarian Fellowship meeting hall.

The Seagraves’ home was among several stops featured during the historic alliance’s 2012 Fall Ramble in Northwest Arkansas on Saturday.

“We’re really excited to be able to see inside these buildings,” McKuin said. “The ramble, for us, is a way to raise awareness of specific pieces of history. It’s a chance to see places that aren’t normally open to the public.”

At A Glance

Fayetteville Tour Homes

Hantz House, 1950

Location: 855 Fairview Drive

Significance: Designed by E. Fay Jones when he was a student at the University of Arkansas. The home was originally owned by Harold and Katherine Hantz.

Durst House, 1951

Location: 857 Fairview Drive

Significance: Designed by John G. Williams, founder of the Architecture Department at the University of Arkansas. Williams taught E. Fay Jones in the first graduating class at the UA. The home was originally owned by David Durst.

Seagraves House, 1962

Location: 217 Oklahoma Way

Significance: Designed and built by Warren Seagraves for his family. Seagraves designed many public buildings in the area.

The Fulbright Building, 1962

Location: 217 E. Dickson St.

Significance: Designed by Warren Seagraves to house the Roberta Fulbright Public Library.

Source: Staff Report

McKuin said the group hosts theme-based rambles in different areas of Arkansas each year.

About 60 people signed up for this year’s tour, which departed from Little Rock on Friday and concluded on Saturday.

This year year’s theme, “From Mid-Century to Mid-Century: Headquarters to Hantz,” included stops at the Hantz and Durst homes on Fairview Drive, the Fulbright Building on East Dickson Street and the Historic Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville. The group also visited the ruins of Monte Ne and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

McKuin said the ramble featured examples of mid-century modern architecture, which took place between the late ’40s and late ’60s.

“Mid-century modern is known for having flat roofs, clean lines and open spaces,” she said. “It was a complete departure from the way we built before.”

Carolynn Coleman, a tour participant, said she developed an interest in historic preservation while working as an interior decorator.

During her first stop at the Durst house, Coleman said she was tricked by the home’s exterior.

“From looking at the front, it makes you not want to go inside,” she said.

But upon entering the home, Coleman said she was impressed with the many windows, which seemed to bring the outdoors inside.

The Durst home was originally owned by David Durst. His daughter, Dana Durst, said she remembers moving into the home at age 6.

“Back then, we didn’t have locks on our doors,” she recalled. “We used to wake up and there would be people in our house. They wanted to see inside because there weren’t many homes like this at the time.”

Both Durst and Carie Pryor said they’ve gotten used to showing people their homes. Both women said they hope to preserve the original architecture.

“We love this house and we know it’s historic,” Pryor said. “We love showing it to people.”

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