A 19th century neighborhood located near downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, Historic Oakwood is best known for its beautiful homes and breathtaking gardens. It is the only intact 19th century neighborhood in the capital city.
Oakwood was formed after the Civil War. Once a densely wooded area, it was sold off in parcels to both individuals and developers. Many of the parcels were purchased by local politicians and well-known war heroes who had opulent Victorian homes built for them in this up-and-coming part of the city. A great variety of architectural styles are represented, reflecting the diverse tastes of the original owners.
By the 1920s, however, the face of the neighborhood had changed and many of the original owners moved to newly-formed suburban areas. A large number of the houses were converted to apartments or boarding houses and remained as such for more than four decades. In the 1970s, with many of the homes in a serious state of disrepair, an urban renewal project was prompted for this historic area. In 1972, the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood was formed to stop a major thoroughfare from dissecting the area. They organization was successful and revitalization continued.
A walk through the Historic Oakwood neighborhood is a treat, especially for architecture buffs. Here you'll find a variety of home styles including neo-Classical/Greek, Second Empire French, Queen Anne Victorian, and many others. However, most of the houses have in common the features which are most often found in the U.S. south, including expansive porches (some with blue ceilings to resemble the sky), deep pitched roofs that allow for large attics and extra insulation, and rear service porches with latticework for circulation of air on particularly hot days.
Place on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s and made a local historic district in 1974, the architectural integrity of these homes is now fiercely protected and changes cannot be made without permission of an architectural review board.
While visitors can enjoy the exterior of these historic homes all year long, there are a few yearly opportunities to explore the inside of some of the houses and their lush gardens. In the spring, the local Garden Club sponsors an annual Garden Tour and Victorian Tea. Guides travel with guests through the neighborhood, pointing out particular garden and architectural features. Following the tour, guests gather in particular houses to enjoy an old-fashioned afternoon tea. In the wintertime, generally about two weeks prior to Christmas, the neighborhood sponsors a Candlelight Tour, featuring 10 beautifully decorated homes that open their doors to visitors who wish to explore the interior features of these houses. This tradition is more than 35 years old and always attracts several hundred architectural buffs for the 6-hour open house. Tickets are required for both events.
Residents also enjoy their own organized activities, planned on a regular basis. These include monthly social gatherings, quarterly picnics featuring music or some other form of entertainment, and preview tours and a party a few days before the official Candlelight Tour.
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