Saturday, September 21, 2019, was Smithsonian Magazine's annual Museum Day. If you're not hip to this terrific bargain yet, you need to be as it's "the perfect opportunity to explore a curiosity or passion without paying regular admission prices."
Although tours of Irving Heritage House are always free, they placed themselves on the list along with a dozen or so museums across DFW in order to bring more exposure to this wonderful Texas Historic Landmark. We were glad they did.
Our one day pass for two was graciously accepted by knowledgeable docents and in return we received a wealth of information. The Irving Heritage Society has a lot going on throughout the year, most of it free. We were also gifted a hard copy of their centennial book, "Irving, Texas, From Rails to Wings."
On to the house. We have a thing for historic buildings, homes and cemeteries. Nothing is better than learning something about the past that you didn't know before. And yes, I know how that sounds; but I love to see how people lived, worked and were remembered by their communities. This house, one of Irving's first and certainly most well built, was truly interesting.
The builder owned a lumber yard, as did subsequent family owners, so really, it's perfection, although not a huge or elaborate mansion. A two bedroom, one bath built in 1912, they were the first to have plumbing in Irving. They also had a basement! Now that's definitely different for Texas. There are numerous built ins and lots of storage, something you also don't see much in homes of this age.
The home was lived in by family continuously and then deeded to the city to be used as a tour home in 1975. After some minor restoration, the house was completely furnished with Schulze family antiques as well as gifts and loans from other Irving families.
The house had aging wallpaper, that was retaining moisture, removed recently and the Society had those walls painted, as well as other painting done, so the docents kept apologizing for the disarray; but I just thought it looked lived in!! In truth, it looked like you could move right in.
I won't go into the beautiful furnishings and decorative arts in all the rooms; but this is no dusty musty old place. The furniture has been loved. The needlepoint, linens, clothing and draperies are amazing. A Square Grand piano stands in the living room, an 1880 organ and antique mahogany upright piano are in the music room and the piano is played for teas! In the Solarium is a Majorica Plant Stand and Pot with 1890's Wicker furniture that I'm pretty sure could still hold you up! It's like Time travel.
The bathroom is a hoot. I lived in houses with bathrooms like this one and so did my grandparents. I loved it, the light blue tile and the porcelain gas heater in the wall.
The kitchen is functional today. Just no visible dishwasher. The not so good old days. Well, my grandma managed. There's an enclosed back porch with an open stoop and umpteen foot drop off with open steps at the rear of the home. Well, that's a slight exaggeration.
A lovely playhouse is in back, years old, and it can be toured, too. Do it. Just walk around the house, if you don't want to take those steps. Once a chicken coop, it was stripped to the bones and redone. It has terrific vintage and antique toys, books and pictures of the Schulze children.
We didn't get to see the basement. Too bad. Or not! read more