Next Sunday, March 20, is the Calcasieu Historic Preservation Society Palm Sunday Tour of Homes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For over 40 years this preservation group has been flinging open the doors to some of the area’s most charming private residences and other historical properties.

CHPS President Sue Durio noted one of the houses on this year’s tour was once home to two of the three founders of the Palm Sunday Tour of Homes, Bill Terry and Reid Tyler. Anne Rosteet Hurley, Terry and Tyler wanted to remind local residents of the beauty, craftsmanship, charm and mature landscaping offered in what is now the Charpentier Historic District during a time when families were migrating to the suburbs.

This traditional American foursquare at 917 Kirby Street, built around 1908 for William Peters, has been completely and carefully refreshed inside and out.

The 2016 lineup includes five other private residences, a church and a Bonsai Garden. Central School Arts and Humanities Center will open its Mardi Gras Museum and serve as hub and tearoom for the event.

Tickets are $10 and available at Gordon’s Drugs on Lake Street in Lake Charles, at the Arts and Humanities Council Office at Central School and at the Brimstone Museum in Sulphur. Cash or check only. Tickets may also be purchased online at the CHPS website, calcasieupreservation.org to see the Christian Science Church and Reading Room, 709 Kirby St.; Central School, 809 Kirby St.; the Davis House, 902 Kirby St.; the Lancaster House, 903 Kirby Street; the Walker Bonsai Garden, 916 Kirby St.; the Terry/Tyler house, 917 Kirby Street; the Lacy House at 1010 Reid Street, the Durio House at 832 Iris Street; and the Mulvey House at 736 Pujo Street.

Palm Sunday attendees of all ages will appreciate the close proximity of properties.

“This tour is compact and walkable with all properties within one block of Central School,” said Adley Cormier, CHPS member.

Central School Arts and Humanities Center parking is free. Additional parking can be found at First United Methodist Church after services, according to Cormier.

“We’re looking forward to being the hub of the tour,” said David Saulk, the Mardi Gras Museum docent and curator. “We have 275 costumes on display and all are from local Mardi Gras Krewes.”

The Arts Associate and Black Heritages Museums will also be open.

Christian Science Church at 709 Kirby St. began in the Lake Area in 1890. After the Hurricane of 1918 destroyed the group’s meeting place, an officer’s club was purchased from Gerstner’s Flying Field, according to Gaylyn Fullington, and moved to its present-day location at the corner of Kirby and Ford Streets.

Church auditorium seating is from the Arcade Theatre. Carla Breaux pointed out that the fold-up seats include a wire hat holder beneath, a testament to their use during a time when hat wearing was still the order of the day.

On the outside, this building is humble. However, architecture lovers will not want to miss the out-of-the ordinary construction.

Cormier said the Paul and Melinda Lancaster house at 903 Kirby St. is a good example of a “two-bay, side-hall” house, popular in seaboard urban areas like Charleston, New Orleans and Savannah.

One of the better-known previous owners of the house was Marcia Freeman Metz. Cormier said her full-time day job was rescuing houses.

Neighbors told the Lancasters that Metz lavished particular attention on acquiring and retrofitting gas light chandeliers.

Across the street from the Lancaster place is the Edna and George H. Rock house at 902 Kirby St. It’s a storybook Queen Anne-Victorian built in 1900 for the Rocks, the first couple to be married at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, according to the book on Lake Charles homes by Lloyd Barras.

“The two-story house features many unusual architectural elements,” Cormier said. “Look for the diamond-paned windows, shingled gable ends, “ German” siding, an Eastlake French balcony and double-pitched roof with eaves supported by brackets.”

Current owner Mary Davis said the house required total renovation when she moved in, in the late 1980s.

“I had always wanted an old two-story house,” she said. “This one was perfect.”

Davis immediately recognized the value of the double-walled construction of virgin yellow pine no longer available. She contacted two of the 13 Rock siblings, Elnora and Elmira, to find out about the house. She so enjoyed getting to know them and their willingness to fill her in on their family memories, she insists the house be referred to as the Rock house.

Left behind in the house when Davis took ownership was an antique fly fan, which will be on display during the tour.

The Alan Walker Bonsai Gardens are located at 917 Kirby St. and will give tour attendees to see the art of bonsai, which traces back almost 2,000 years. The essence of classical Bonsai is to produce a healthy miniature representation of a tree.

When Palm Sunday guests arrive at the Steve and Gayle Lacy property at 1010 Reid St., they will note the large “W” in the wrought iron.

The home was built for Agnes Fontenot Ward in 1943. Gayle Lacy left the “W” because it’s not only part of the house’s history, but also because it’s come to represent the warm and welcoming spirit of the home.

Agnes Ward was the daughter of E.O. Fontenot who at one time owned the entire block, including the stable where horses and buggy were kept and now makes up a portion of the Lacy’s beautifully landscaped yard. Steve said he often finds horseshoes and barn hinges.

Across the street from the Lacys, at 832 Iris St., attendees will find the 100-year-old home of Mike and Sue Hall Durio, with its old-fashioned deep, screened front porch and picket fence. Before the top story was destroyed by fire, it was the two-story home of Sallie Kate Shaddock, longtime Central School Teacher.

This home is cozy, finessed with art with special meaning and furnished with classics collected over time.

The house at 736 Pujo Street was built for the Chavanne family in 1905. Prominent local architect and businessman, Gus Quinn, was also an owner. Dunn and Quinn Architects was responsible for designing many of the city’s mid-century buildings, according to Cormier. These include the Pioneer Building, which is now City Hall, the original Memorial Hospital, McNeese University buildings and others.

Cormier said the current owners, the Mulvey family, have “crafted a comfortable and relaxing retreat in beautifully detailed spaces.”

Go to calcasieupreservation.org for more details.

736 Pujo St. was built for the Chavanne family in 1905. (Rita LeBleu / American Press)