THE TRI KAPPA TOUR OF HOMES

Belue Home
Wayne & Lora Belue

The east side of this 1855 circa Greek revival duplex was purchased by Wayne and Lora Belue in February 2004. Renovations started immediately and they are currently in the final stages of converting this three story 3000 square foot home from an apartment complex into a marvelous home of grandeur.

Mr. Belue, a Chicago custom cabinet maker for 44 years has built exceptional crown molding, window and door casings, bookshelves, cabinets, and wardrobes throughout while painstakingly keeping particular attention to some of the original detailing in the home.

Coleman-Vecchie Home
Don and Patricia Coleman-Vecchie

This two story simple wood frame house was built around 1900. There were originally four bedrooms on the second floor, one being a walk through bedroom that is now a sitting room. The second floor has two full baths, one originally being a small library. The first floor consists of two parlors, a dining room, a laundry room and a completely remodeled kitchen. The home boasts four porches.

The house sat empty for many years before being completely restored in 2003 by John and Donn Campbell for Mrs. Campbell’s parents, Don Vecchie and Patricia Coleman-Vecchie. The restoration took one year, replacing all wiring, plumbing, lighting and plaster. There are six fireplaces and all restored to working condition. Highlights in the home are the faux finished fireplaces which are metal, painted to wood. These finishes are original to the home and have been preserved. Photos of before and after will be displayed.

Fitzpatrick Home
Brian & Stacey Fitzpatrick

This beautiful Classic Revival/Italianate home is believed to have built around 1834. The home went through an extensive renovation in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s by the previous owners who transformed the duplex into a one family dwelling.

This home along with many others was featured in Dr. Robert Snodgrass’ book. In 2004 Brian and Stacey purchased the home and have done many of the renovations you see today including updates in the kitchen and opening up the parlor by adding doorways.

Hall Home
Philip & Joan Home

This updated home is part of a larger building originally known as the Armory. The building dates back circa 1920 and was government owned. In 1928 the gymnasium and warehouse were added on to the building. Previous owners include the City of Madison, Jefferson County, and the First Federal Bank.

The Hall’s purchased the building in 2000 and with their children’s and grandchildren’s help brought it back to life. The grand hall which leads to the gymnasium separates the two. Even though the gymnasium has been restored it has the original look to it and is still being used.

Jones Home
Dorothy Jones

This wonderful Italianate cottage is currently owned by Mrs. Dorothy Jones and is believed to have built in 1870. Although this home has had many owners, one to note was Dr. Evan Totten who had lived here for 50 years and for a time had an office in his home to see patients.

In 1905 the back room was added and in 2000 the Jones family purchased the property and continued refinishing the home as you see it today. Many antiques throughout the cottage have been refinished by the Jones family and some are pieces from hotels the Jones family operated throughout Indiana.

Robinson Home
Paul & Holly Robinson

This home was built in 1837 by William and Martha Stapp-Hendricks. The land was purchased from the heirs of John Paul in 1835 for $150. Mr. Hendricks was an attorney and judge and the nephew of Indiana’s second governor William Hendricks. The builder and architect of the home is unknown but the iron fence is believed to have been designed by the well-known Madison architect Francis Costigan.

The original Federal style home consisted of the entry hall, double parlors, dining room on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor. The back addition was added on by the Smith family from Massachusetts who purchased the home in 1847. The house remained in the Smith family for nearly 100 years until it sold in 1947. The home is believed to have been eight apartments at one time and was completely remodeled in 1979 bringing it back to a one family dwelling. The current owners purchased the home in 2003 and have done many recent updates including a major structural revision of the middle upstairs bedroom into two separate bathrooms. Several doorways have been removed and new walls erected to create a more modern family flow.

Shoenstein Home
Bob & Pam Shoenstein

Bob Schoenstein’s family has lived on Walnut Street for over 130 years. He has lived in the neighborhood all of his life and at the 521 Walnut for 29 years. Even though this is a new home it is the spot that his great grandparents purchased and started the first Schoenstein Bakery in the 1870’s.

In 2000 Mr. and Mrs. Shoenstein purchased two lots on the north side of their home and in 2001 completed the new home at 523 Walnut Street blending the features of it with the surrounding neighborhood. The home is full of antiques and each has a family history and a story to tell.

Wurtz Home
Sally Wurtz

This beautiful Federal/Italianate style home was built somewhere between the year 1850 and 1870. The home is believed to have had only four owners with one of the owners owning the home for over one hundred years.

Outstanding features of this home are the original arched doorways and the grain painted woodworking throughout. Grain painting woodwork was a popular technique in the day where the woodwork would get stained and then gone over with a feather or a brush to create an illusion of rich grain on wood that might not possess that quality.