Brooklyn, NY (September 2003) – Bedford-Stuyvesant’s annual house tour is always a main attraction and a very well -attended event.  “The Legacy Continues”, this year’s theme and the house tour’s 25th- year anniversary, will be no exception.  On Saturday, October 18th, the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc., will showcase several spectacular brownstones and limestones along the tree-lined streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant.  The self-guided tour will begin at the historic “Old” Boys High School, at 832 Marcy Avenue, near the corner of Putnam Avenue, from 11 A.M. – 4 P.M., rain or shine. 
The majority of the homes date back to the 1890’s and early 1900’s.  Tour goers will see magnificent examples of houses from the Victorian Era. An astounding number of the brownstones and limestones have retained their original features.  Splashes of wainscoting, pocket doors, carved wood-burning fireplaces, stained glass windows, intricate interior woodwork and more, decorate the lovely homes and will delight new and old house buffs.  First time tour goers will be pleasantly surprised when they stroll the neighborhood to see, block by block, buildings representing diverse architectural styles.
According to Brenda Fryson, p resident of the Brownstoners, “This is a house tour with a very special purpose.  We want our guests to meet families who have chosen Bedford-Stuyvesant because it is a good place to live.  They have moved here, or remained here, because of the strong sense of community that is evident in every aspect of our lives.  Our block associations, civic organizations, religious institutions and community-based organizations all work to continue the steady revitalization of Bedford-Stuyvesant.  Our house tours are designed to encourage new residents to not only purchase a home or rent an apartment, but to become active members of our community.  Over the past two and a half decades, our organization has been the beacon for hundreds of people who have ‘Come on Home to Bed-Stuy’.”
“Continuing the Legacy means passing the torch.  We have many young people,” says Marjorie Fletcher, chairperson of the Housing Committee,  “who are new residents and have captured the vision of old and sometimes abandoned brownstones. They have discovered the beauty of the houses while building upon our community.  We want people to view Bedford-Stuyvesant, not by our wonderful buildings alone, but as a thriving and communal place to live and raise a family.”
A brief ceremony, at 9:00 a.m., in honor of one of the community’s most beloved residents, Ruby Brent Ford, will open the day events.  Immediately following, the popular Homebuyers’ Seminar will take place, with a panel of experts on hand to discuss financing options.  The day will be rounded out with the exciting Bed-Stuy Bazaar that will feature more than thirty artisans with handmade crafts and decorative items for the home.  The bazaar will be open for shopping from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All tickets are $15 and can be purchased on the day of the tour or in advance at Brownstone Books, 409 Lewis Avenue and at the Lewis Gallery, 525 Atlantic Avenue. It is advisable for tour goers to get there early, as recent tours have sold out with over 900 guests.
The Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc., is a non profit, volunteer civic association that is dedicated to the revitalization of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community.  Proceeds from the house tour help to fund the Bernard MacDonald/George Glee Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to graduates of Boys and Girls High School.
“Come On Home To Bed-Stuy”