Home and Garden tour explores Carson's history

Jack and Sherry McLaughlin gutted an 1860s-era carriage house and replaced its interior with a variety of modern amenities.

What was once a place for carriages and tools, now accommodates a replication of an Old World-style pub, a romantic bedroom, a collection of detailed antiques, air conditioning, dimming lights, a surround-sound stereo and a DVD player and television above a large claw-footed bath tub.

The McLaughlins kept only the original windows and the doors that were wide enough for a carriage to enter.

"This is our version of what a carriage house could be converted into," Jack McLaughlin said. "I love the atmosphere. We use it for in-laws, guests, social events and weddings."

McLaughlin said the reconstruction of the house was a neighborhood effort. Their neighbors Mike and Peggy Spears did most of the design and added antiques. Sculptor Eric Butterworth carved the intricate and smooth grains of the wooden bar.

Their carriage house, along with six other 19th century structures and three gardens, will be part of the sixth annual Carson City Historic Homes and Gardens Tour from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Most of the tour's homes are along the Kit Carson Trail, a 2 1/2 mile path that features 1800s-era, Victorian-style homes, churches, courthouses and museums.

Patrons can park near the homes and walk to each tour stop.

Hosts dressed in period clothing will tell the stories of the homes built in the mid- to late-1880s by miners and lumber and mercantile magnates.

Other homes on the mile-long tour will include the Bliss Mansion, built in 1879; the Roberts House, a museum that has Gothic revival architecture; and the Cloth Cottage, a home converted into a retail store.

A quilting exhibit, displayed throughout the homes on the tours and placed on the fence surrounding the carriage house, will have more than 100 patch, crazy and wall-hanging quilts; crafted by the Ladies Quilting Guild of Carson City.

Musicians will be featured at designated tour locations. Banjo player Chris Bayer will play at the carriage house, classical violinist and harpist Mary Marsh will play at the Bliss Mansion, and pianist Ron Machado will play at the Krebs-Peterson Mansion.

IF YOU GO

What: Historic Homes and Garden Tour

When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Carson City's Historic District

Tickets: Available before the tour at the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-800-NEVADA-1 or call Dorothy Dolan at 882-1805. Or at the Chamber of Commerce, Book Cellar, Cloth Cottage, Greenhouse Garden Center or at the Roberts House Museum at 1217 N. Carson St. the day of the tour.

Cost: Tickets include a map of the tour and are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students ages 13-18, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for kids 4 and under.

Tour stops:

n Carriage house, 605 W. Robinson

n Roberts house, 1207 N. Carson St.

n Krebs-Peterson mansion, 500 Mountain St.

n Olcovich-Meyers house, 214 W. King St.

n Cloth Cottage, 602 N. Curry St.

n Bliss mansion, 710 W. Robinson St.

Gardens:

n Jack and Sherry McLaughlin House, 611 W. Robinson

n Carmack-Jones House, 603 W. Robinson

n C-Scape Garden, next to Pony Express Pavilion at Mills Park