HIDDEN HOT SPRINGS
Historical Society fundraiser offers tour of seldom seen properties
The Garland County Historical Society is launching a new annual fundraiser, “Hidden Hot Springs,” which will offer people a chance to tour two local properties, including the old W.C. Brown house and the new current downtown residence of Karen and Ken Wheatley.
“It will be tours of houses or buildings people don’t usually get to see,” Elizabeth Robbins, GCHS executive director, told The Sentinel-Record Wednesday. “We’re starting it off with a double header.”
The inaugural event, set for Sunday, Sept. 29, will feature tours of the longtime home of the W.C. Brown family, built in 1898, and located at
2330 Central Ave., across from Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, and the Wheatley residence, located at 504 Central, which was built last year.
The tours will be conducted from
2 to 5 p.m. with a limited number of tickets available at $75 each. Free parking is available at both locations and participants can come by and use their ticket at any point during the allotted time period.
“You can go to the Brown house and then go downtown or go downtown first and then go there,” she said. “We will have people stationed at each of the residences so people can come when they want. Someone will be there.”
Robbins said all the money raised will go toward general operating expenses of the historical society. “This isn’t a capital campaign. This is just for us to keep doing the work we do.”
She said they are only going to sell 100 tickets, noting, “We can’t get too many especially if people all show up at once. We’ve never done this kind of thing before so we’re testing it out.”
Robbins said the plan is to do a tour of a different home or homes every year in “different areas of town. We’ll find out what people want to see.”
The W.C. Brown house, purchased by Rick Williams in 2015, is “a beautiful example of the Neoclassic style,” a news release said. “As recorded by a sister of W.C. Brown Sr., several lots in the ‘suburbs of Hot Springs’ were purchased by her brother in the late 1800s with the intent to move his family from Stamps, Arkansas, to a healthier environment. Ground was broken for the house in 1898, and the structure was completed in 1900.
“In 1919, the house was remodeled
and expanded into the 21-room mansion with imposing two-story portico seen today,” the release said. “The mansion and grounds have been purchased by Williams and furnishings from Williams’ extensive collection of antiques now grace the home.”
“I would pay $75 to see the inside of this house,” Robbins said. “(Williams) has fixed it up beautifully and has beautiful antiques inside.”
As for the second offering, she said the Wheatleys “are going to let people see their new home downtown. I think people will be curious about that.”
According to the release, “The name Wheatley has long been synonymous with downtown Hot Springs and many of its iconic buildings. Ken Wheatley, great-nephew of Hill Wheatley, recently added to the family history by completing the first new construction across from Bathhouse Row in 100 years. The design of the Wheatley residence was approved by the Hot Springs Historic District Commission in the fall of 2017.
“The contemporary style building completed in early 2019, is a mixed-use structure that houses retail establishments on the ground floor and the family home on the second. Sweeping views of notable downtown landmarks are visible from the front patio and main living areas of the residence,” the release states. “Italian porcelain marble, used both on the exterior and interior, seamlessly meld the two spaces. The coloration of the marble is reflected in the dramatic interior furnishings and decor.”
Robbins said, “People who have seen it say it’s very modern and contemporary. They spent a lot of money on it.”
Clyde Covington, GCHS president, said in the release, “We feel extremely fortunate to be able to offer our supporters the opportunity to tour two historic structures normally hidden from public view. Hidden Hot Springs allows us to raise funds to continue our mission of preserving local history as well as to fulfill our mission of educating the public about that heritage. We are extremely grateful to the owners of the two properties for allowing us to open them for this event.”
Tickets may be purchased at the Garland County Historical Society, 328 Quapaw Ave., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at http://www.garlandcountyhistoricalsociety.com, or gchs@ hotsprings.net, or by calling 501-321-2159 during regular society hours.
Robbins said a souvenir program of the event will be given to participants. “We encourage people to get their tickets now because they may sell out fast,” she said.
Parking for the Brown house tour is available in the north parking lot of First Baptist Church adjacent to the house. Parking for the Wheatley tour is available in the parking garage adjacent to the property. The tours have limited handicap accessibility and require the use of stairs.