Association leader gets first inside look

Before coming to the Quapaw Quarter Association as its executive director in late January, Patricia Blick enjoyed the Quapaw Quarter Spring Tour of Homes as a spectator.

“This is my first time seeing the tour from the inside out,” she says.

Blick admits that it wasn’t easy to step into this job and immediately hit the ground running to get ready for the association’s 53rd tour. The two-day event takes place May 13-14.

“I knew it was an incredible undertaking, but I am awestruck by the amount of time the [association] board dedicates to making the tour a success,” she says.

In her previous life, Blick served as the certified local government coordinator for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. She worked with cities, including Little Rock, that have historic districts. When she became the program’s deputy director she continued to work with Little Rock and, at times, the Quapaw Quarter Association. In particular, she was involved in getting a grant to buy the William Woodruff House in 2014.

She admits to being “a little daunted at the prospect [of] even applying” for her current job, knowing the tour would be only four months away. “However … it became evident that the tour planning was well underway and the board was committed to making it a success.” The association’s previous executive director, Rhea Roberts, had begun identifying potential tour houses at the end of last summer and by the time Blick arrived, all of the houses had been secured.

“The timing was great, for me. I was able to start my new post exploring several historic houses that I had not previously visited and meet the hosts of the homes for the tour.”

Last year’s tour in Hillcrest was one of just a few in the event’s history that ventured outside the Quapaw Quarter and its majority focus on houses in the Governor’s Mansion Historic District section. Is this a favorite location for tourgoers?

“I would agree that our guests are drawn to the areas of the city that were first developed and greatly enjoy touring the historic homes of the Governor’s Mansion Historic District,” Blick says. “Having houses on tour that are within walking distance of one another really reinforces why we all like old neighborhoods — they are pedestrian-friendly and comfortable. Part of our goal with the tour is to showcase the good work that people have done and [show] that living and working downtown is viable and fun.”

This is the association’s biggest fundraiser, Blick says. Organizers hope to raise $30,000-$40,000.

— Helaine R. Williams