Parlor Tour Cancelled
After learning that other regional holiday tours were cancelling this year due to health risks from the ongoing global pandemic, we made the decision to cancel the 2020 Old Southwest Parlor Tour. Please read OSW Inc. president Hal Irving’s announcement and plea for support for Gish House improvements.
This year’s Old Southwest Parlor Tour is cancelled, and with it our major fund-raiser for the maintenance and improvement of the Historic Gish House. While the Gish House is impervious to the virus, age is not its friend. We want to insure this 200 year-old Roanoke treasure looks great and welcomes even more guests when circumstances allow. We need your help to raise $6,000 to completely redo and update the kitchen, making it catering friendly and a source of more event rental income.
The City of Roanoke owns the Gish House and property that surrounds it. In return for a nominal annual rental fee to the City, our non-profit neighborhood association Old Southwest Inc. gets full use of the facility. In return, we take responsibility for maintaining and improving the house and property. No Parlor Tour means no source of new funds for investing in the Gish House.
Unfortunately, time does not stand still. The kitchen is in such poor shape, we’ve had to dip into our savings to renovate. While these before pictures (below) look rough, we will have a beautiful kitchen within the next four weeks. We will send out pictures when the project is complete.
We are raising funds for the project between now and December 31. While all donations are welcome, we will recognize donors of $250 and above on a plaque in our main community room, right outside the kitchen you helped renovate. To donate, go to this link, click donate, and complete the required information: https://www.oldsouthwest.org/donate. Thank you for supporting our neighborhood and giving a needed face-lift to Old Southwest’s historic gem!
Hal Irvin, President, Old Southwest Inc.
The range and base cabinets used to be here. A new 36-inch gas range will be installed along with a range hood, refrigerator, and stainless steel rolling tables.
Formerly, the kitchen sink. A commercial stainless steel sink and work surface will be installed. All improvements will make the kitchen more caterer-friendly, thereby making our most economical event venue all the more appealing for events.