The Historic East End neighborhood in East Nashville held its 2007 home tour May 19th. The tour featured historic homes built during the 1880s to early 1900s, including the final restoration of the Ambrose house, designed by Ryman Auditorium architect Hugh Cathcart Thompson. Also on display are one historic church and several commercial buildings.

This was East End’s first home tour since 2004.

Along with the home tour there were also be several art and craft exhibits, including children’s art activities and playground conducted by Cheekwood, Kastle Key and the Devine Playhouse and the East End United Methodist Church.

At the time of the tour, The Ambrose house, named for its long-time owners at the turn of the 20th century, was in the final stages of an amazing renovation by Gordon Gilbreath of Dovetail Construction. The three-story Queen Anne Victorian is one of the last Hugh Thompson homes surviving in Nashville (East End is also home to one of the others, which was Thompson’s personal residence) and was almost lost after several decades of neglect. After being abandoned for the last decade, Dovetail took on a four-year renovation to save the grand house.

East End, nestled between Historic Edgefield and Lockeland Springs, is the smallest of the historic neighborhoods in East Nashville, running from Shelby to Woodland Streets and 10th to 14th Streets, but boasts one of the most undisturbed stands of diverse historic architecture left in the city. It is also home to the Five Points, one of the city’s hippest destinations, featuring a diverse mix of eateries, art galleries, retail shops and nightspots.

Directions

To get to the East End Home Tour, take I-24 Downtown, exit #49 Shelby Avenue/Coliseum, turn right onto Shelby Ave., left on South 11th Street and the ticket booth will be three blocks on the right at the corner of South 11th and Fatherland Streets.