West Grace Street 2011 Candlelight Home Tour
Preview of Homes
1821 W. Grace Street – Jo Baird and Joe Hutchison
Jo Baird and Joe Hutchison bought their home in the spring of 2006, following the relocation of
MeadWestvaco to Richmond from Stamford, Connecticut.
Built in 1910, this three-story single-family dwelling was converted at some point into a sevenapartment flophouse. From 2002 to 2006, a new owner restored the entire building to single-family
use. Renovations included entirely new sheetrock, wiring, and plumbing. The cast-iron radiator system
was removed and replaced with heat pump HVAC. The original floors, wainscoting, doors and pocket
doors were preserved, but much of the trim is new.
The original structure included a stairway from the basement to the second floor through the kitchen at
the back of the house, a typical feature of Fan homes. The refurbishment eliminated the back stairwell,
allowing for a spacious, modern kitchen. The entrance to the basement was relocated under the front
stairway.
1821 has over 4,300 square feet, not counting the full basement. The home features 5 bedrooms, 3 ½
bathrooms, 7 fireplaces, and 11-foot ceilings. Joe and Jo have reconstructed the fireplace mantels in the
dining and living rooms from original parts they found in the basement! They have also added the living
room bookcases and installed several beautiful chandeliers.
In the front hallway, the side table was manufactured in 1915 by the Biggs Antique Company of
Richmond. The quilt was won by the owners in a raffle in Wentworth, NH. (Note that each section is
unique, and sewn with the initials of its creator.) The large cabinet in the dining room was made in
Brazil. The plates on the wall are from “Persia,” having been acquired in the early 1900’s by Joe’s
missionary grandparents. The 1943 Africa maps were acquired at a flea market and depict the physical
features, industries, and agriculture of the continent.
2003 W. Grace Street – Stephanie and Randy Jefferson
2003 West Grace was built by Newton Ancarrow in 1915. Mr. Ancarrow helped to build several
Monument Avenue homes and picked this location on Grace Street to design and build a home for his
wife and seven sons! The home seems to have a knack for interesting stories.
In the 1950s Grace and Pops Baldwin started a home-away-from-home for young business women in
the home. Grace wrote a book about her funny experiences as “mom” to several hundred women.
These stories and more were featured on the HGTV show ‘If Walls Could Talk’ several years ago.
Randy and Stephanie Jefferson bought the house in 2002, after it had been acting as a group home for
over 30 years. You can imagine the condition of the home, but it met their primary requirement – that
all the mantels, woodwork and other details that make these homes unique were intact. The Jeffersons
spent the next five years renovating the home, while living in it, with the goal of bringing it back to its
original stature. The couple did most of the work themselves, including plumbing, electrical, backyard
brick work, tiling and burning every last layer of paint of all the original woodwork in the house!
Randy and Steph wanted to keep the historical features, while adding the modern amenities we all
appreciate.
When they’re not renovating Fan homes, Randy and Steph both have day jobs as IT professionals. Truth
be told, though, Steph’s true passion is spending time in her basement pottery studio, and she has just
opened her own shop. The work of Kiefer Clayworks can be seen throughout the house.
2315 W. Grace Street, The “Poe” House – Mark and Katie Baron
Built by local grocer Thomas Tally in 1838, this spacious farmhouse is one of the original residences in
The Fan, and as such it boasts a truly fascinating history. Originally known as Talavera, the home began
as a four-room two-story house with a detached kitchen, and was later renovated to add several rooms
including a ballroom and conservatory.
Richmonders call this home The “Poe” House because famous poet and author Edgar Allan Poe spent a
summer visiting the home in 1849. Susan Archer Tally, the owners’ daughter and a friend of Poe’s sister,
Rosalie, writes that Poe lodged at the Swan Tavern downtown that summer, but that he generally spent
the afternoons with her at Talavera. She mentions one “pleasant though drizzly morning” in September
when she and Poe sat down here to discuss “The Raven” and both agreed it had imperfections!
It is believed Poe gave his last reading of “The Raven” in the front parlor of Talavera two weeks before
his death. And that’s not all to this home’s story.
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During the Civil War, Talavera housed Confederate soldiers in the 10th Battalion.
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C.F. Sauer, founder of Sauer Spices, purchased the home in 1904 and added the addition. The
Sauer family protected the home from being demolished while newer homes were being built
all around it in the early 1900’s.
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In the mid-20th century, the home fell into disrepair and was converted into apartments.
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In 1994, a historically minded couple purchased Talavera and began the restoration process.
Long-time Grace Street owners and fans, Mark and Katie Baron jumped at the chance to own a piece of
history and purchased Talavera in 2010. They plan to bring the house into the 21st century by
renovating the kitchen, bathrooms, conservatory, and garden over the next few years.
Visitors to the home should take note of the painstakingly detailed molding in the ballroom, the
charming window seat in the front parlor, and the gorgeous formal dining room. Mark and Katie are fans
of mid-century furniture and funky modern art. The retro vibe coupled with the fascinating history
makes this one of the most unique homes in The Fan.
2500 W. Grace Street – Ed and Rebecca Mack
Built in 1898 for Shockoe grocer C.F. Frost, 2500 West Grace Street holds the title of oldest home on the
block. The Queen Anne architecture style is rarely seen in The Fan, and the exterior features a timeless
arched porch with walk-out patio above. However, the true magic of this home lies within.
As long as anyone can remember, the home was owned by "spinster" sisters who kept it as a duplex,
then a triplex. In 2001, a roof fire ripped through the home, causing extensive water and smoke damage
and forcing the house into vacancy. That is, until Ed and Rebecca Mack toured it in 2003 and saw the
promise of what would be their family home.
Ed Mack, a skilled craftsman, would not be deterred by the daunting task at hand. The first step was to
strip the house down to lathe and floorboards. Thankfully, the Macks were able to retain the original
front staircase, balusters, and stunning leaded glass window in the foyer.
The Macks painstaking and loving renovation of the home is still ongoing. It already includes new wiring
and plumbing throughout along with fabulous Ipe wood hardwoods with Brazilian walnut accents. The
kitchen features a chef's stove and modern, chic tiles and concrete. Each room boasts ornate wood
moldings and trim, showcasing the Macks dedication to preserving the historic integrity of the home.
Rebecca's skilled eye for color and design is evident in the family-friendly floor plan, stunning wallcoverings, fixtures and palettes, and unique Asian accents. The Macks have taken this building without
an owner for so long and transformed it into a warm, visually enticing home not to be missed.
2713 W Grace Street, #1 – Bob Engle
This warm and inviting home was built in 1912 as a single family dwelling. The owner’s first floor
quarters are open for the tour.
The house easily accommodates an additional apartment on the second and third floors, boasting nine
rooms plus two bathrooms. The current owner is a longtime Fan resident who has owned the property
since 1994.
Guests are welcomed by the comfort and openness of the front porch. The porch and the second floor
balcony were both renovated in 2008. The meticulous renovations adhere to strict building codes that
maintain the historical integrity of the residence.
Upon entering it is evident that the house is thoroughly enjoyed by its owner. The oil painting in the
front hall is typical of the owner’s good-natured outlook and penchant for entertaining. The piece was
created using the sublime mixture of a cocktail party, a canvas, oil paints and some good friends.
Throughout the house the furnishings are a collection of family pieces, antiques and eclectic
appointments.
An elegant dining room features a crystal chandelier, two full stained glass windows, a built-in china
cabinet, and family furnishings. A collection of Waterford decanters can be seen throughout the
residence. The adjoining den is a cozy and welcome spot for relaxing.
The centerpiece of the attractive kitchen is a custom island. This island, crafted by Northern Neck friend
and artisan Becky Haynie, was made from three historic vessels. Most notable are the legs, crafted from
the mast of the H. B. H. Hubbard. The Hubbard was a menhaden fishing vessel which was drafted into
WWI, and served in France as a mine sweeper. After the war, The Hubbard was the only fishing vessel
returned to the Chesapeake Bay to fish again.
A rear courtyard is a beloved area on the property. This year-round retreat is frequently used for
entertaining and relaxation. Confederate jasmine covers one wall, and raised planting beds and a
fireplace mantle highlight the opposite wall. It is evident from the charming courtyard décor that the
outside of this house is enjoyed as much as the inside.
2715 W. Grace Street – Tom and Linda Kranz
2715 W. Grace Street is a warm and beautiful home celebrating its 100th birthday in 2011. Originally
built for a Richmond company’s employee and his family, 2715 was converted into an
upstairs/downstairs duplex (probably around the 1940s), and was converted back into a single-family
residence by the Kranz family and previous owners.
Here are just a few of this home’s key features.
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12-foot ceilings throughout, and a 17-step staircase.
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Original radiators along with four coal-burning fireplaces converted to gas, including one in the
master bathroom!
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Three working sets of pocket doors.
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A 42” wide front door, and mostly original floors.
Visitors should note these items of historical and decorative significance.
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The photographs across from the television in the family room are original works of art by the
owner, Tom Kranz, and were framed by his wife, Linda Kranz.
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The piece above the couch in the same room is original photography by close family friend
George Andreas, a Washington, D.C. art gallery owner and Porsche dealer.
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The tricycle in the family room was ridden by the owner and his brother in the 1950s and 60s.
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Between the family room and kitchen is the family photo gallery, with five generations
represented.
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Note the three historic photos in the kitchen. Together, they form a piece the owners call “The
Hero, The Cowards, and The Way It Should Be.” The first depicts General Ulysses S. Grant
leaning against a pole in camp circa 1864 (The Hero), the second is the Ku Klux Klan marching
down Grace Street circa 1930s (The Cowards), and the third is blacks and whites shopping
together at the Farmers’ Market sometime in the 1940s-1950s (The Way It Should Be).
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Look for the framed stock certificates for Cleveland Welding Company. The owner’s grandfather
was founder and president.
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A Tibetan chest from the early 1900s rests in the downstairs full bath and was purchased from
Three Swallows on Broad Street, and the walk-in shower is probably from the 1940’s duplex
conversion. How many first-floor bathrooms boast a chandelier?
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The original kitchen was located where the kitchen is today, and has been refurbished.
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When the Kranzes bought the house, the ingress/egress between floors had the back staircase
closed off to the outside. While the stair was visible from upstairs, it didn't go anywhere! The
Kranzes opened it up and had some interesting tragicomic discussions about the steps
themselves. Visitors need to see for themselves!
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They also took advantage of the space underneath the main stairs and made it into a hall closet
and storage room.
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A neat courtyard completes the outdoor space, and a one-car detached garage has been
converted to an exercise room.