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The Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society (SDCHPS) will host the 48th Annual Historic Selma Tour of Homes on Saturday.

The Tour of Homes began in 1976 as a way to share the city’s variety of architectural styles and rich history. Proceeds benefit the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society to preserve protecting, and restoring the history and architecture of Selma and Dallas County

“The Tour of Homes is a cherished tradition that allows us to showcase the architectural heritage of our city while raising vital funds to support our ongoing preservation efforts,” said SDCHPS President Sylvia Smith.

Before the tour of homes, the SDCHPS hosted a welcome reception and guest speaker Susan A. Besser at Sturdivant Hall Museum to kick-off the Tour of Homes event. 

Besser’s  presentation is “The Architects Who Shaped Selma,” by O’More School of Design. Besser is a Tennessee registered interior designer and passionate preservationist with a Masters in historic preservation from Middle Tennessee State University. She has taught at O’More School of Design for 20 years focusing on historic preservation, sustainability, kitchen design, and design history classes. Besser is currently working on her book “The Architecture of Selma — The Forgotten City,” profiling historic buildings from Selma’s National Register Historic Districts and key African-American buildings. 

Dallas County homes and other historic sites will be open for tours on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Several historic buildings are restored since last year’s tornado. Alo featured are Old Live Oak Cemetery for guided tours to meet the “ghostly” residents of old Selma at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Here are the homes that will be profiled:

• The Marcengill Home at 620 Lapsley Street was built between 1912 and 1913 by W.P. Welch, Jr., whose parents’ owned nearby Henderson House (formerly the “W.P. Welch Mansion”) at 607 Union Street. The Lapsley Street home has a large, sunny front porch and a beautiful sunroom parlor with French doors. In the 1930s, this sunroom doubled as the “Sunroom Kindergarten” directed by Mrs. Welch, Miss Evelyn Maas, and Miss Ruby Welch. The home’s roof was damaged during the tornado but has been restored by the Marcengills.
• The Roper Home at 608 Furniss Avenue, is said to be one of the oldest homes in Selma. Built of brick walls nearly a foot thick, the one-story French Colonial cottage may date as far back as 1834. Former owners include members of the Saffold family, a well-known early family of Selma who settled in Dallas County shortly after Alabama became a state. The Ropers purchased the property after the tornado and have continued their renovation work to transform the historic home and its large outdoor space in the heart of Old Town Historic District.
• The Strand Home & Art Studio at 618 Union Street, is a one-story Victorian cottage built c. 1894-1900. The home was one of many on Union Street that suffered heavy damage from the tornado, but it has been lovingly restored to its former glory. It is the home, art studio and gallery of owner and acclaimed Selma artist Anne Strand, whose artwork has been featured in exhibitions all across the southeastern U.S. The beautifully decorated home is adorned with Strand’s artwork from top to bottom. 
• Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church at 309 Washington Street, is a Gothic Revival church built 1869-1870 that is said to be built using materials salvaged from the ruins of Selma’s Confederate Arsenal. An 1870 newspaper article notes that “nearly all the work, ornamental and otherwise, was done by Selma mechanics, and is at once a monument to their skill and industry and an indication of what our Southern workmen can do… “ The church is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tours. 
• Miss Minnie Sue’s Cottage in Heritage Village at 622 McLeod Avenue, was built in the 1830s and moved to its present location on McLeod Avenue in 1910. It is owned by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society. The cottage’s roof and rafters were torn away during the January 12, 2023, tornado. After more than a year of restoration work, the property is once again open to the public.
• Sturdivant Hall at 713 Mabry Street, circa 1856, is a Greek Revival antebellum mansion and historic house museum. The home is richly furnished with antique furniture, art, and decor of the period. While the estate was heavily damaged during the tornado, tireless repairs have reopened the property for tours and special events. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for tours. The Sturdivant Hall Gift Shop, located in the mansion’s old kitchen and quarters, will also be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Vaughan-Smitherman Museum at 109 Union Street, was built in 1847 and has served the city of Selma as a school, hospital, county courthouse, and museum over the many years. The museum houses a large collection of Selma memorabilia and antiques for browsing. The third floor of the museum is a recreation of the former Vaughan Memorial Hospital, complete with a delivery room, nursery, and operating room with antique hospital equipment and tools.
• Look Boutique at 118 Lauderdale Street, is located in historic downtown Selma and has curated vintage treasures perfect for gifts, home decor, and more. The boutique pen 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Four Seasons Garden Center at 611 Cahaba Road, has been a locally-owned Selma business since 1984, and is the perfect stop for all your gardening, gifting, or decorating needs.
• Anderson Gallery at 730 Selma Avenue, is a fine art gallery located in a c. 1935 building in Selma’s Old Town Historic District. The gallery features artists from around the world.
• Selma Art Guild, 508 Selma Avenue, is an arts organization formed in the 1970s by local artists to promote art in Selma. The guild is housed in a circa 1925 Craftsman home in Old Town Historic District, and it has a large selection of art available for browsing and purchase.

Several downtown shops, restaurants, and other organizations will participate Saturday:

• Queen City Market —  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• The Coffee Shoppe —  8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Carter Drug — 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• The Downtowner — 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Bistro Manila — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Arts Revive — 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Broad Street Books — 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• On Time Fashions — 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Selma Welcome Center — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.