Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour

Last Sunday I braved the scorching mid-day sun and double digit temperatures to take in the annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour in St. James and Belgravia Courts, which is the largest Victorian residential neighborhood in the country. This area is known for its old architecture, art, and small private gardens and it's the one opportunity for the public to get beyond the garden gates and see these little treasures up close. There were ten gardens on the tour. Incidentally, the fleur-de-lis is the symbol of Louisville and there were examples of it throughout the tour.

Below is one of the St. James Court water fountains, ordered from England in the late 1800s.

Today I just wanted to introduce you to the area and then,starting tomorrow with Friday Fences, I'll show you around several of the gardens. As my blog friend Janis likes to say at Life According to Jan and Jer, I'm stoked because I got so many great photos to share. Just have to discipline myself to not "over estimate" your interest in Louisville gardens and architecture.

Another reason to brave the heat was a new photo challenge I'm setting for myself that I'm calling "Getting off the Green Square" or auto (this title also came from Janis who is an excellent photographer). My goal is to learn to use all the features on my Canon SX130 before springing for a more complicated camera. For these photos I experimented with the "adjusting the white balance" setting on glaring sunny day. Very pleased with most of shots--able to use with only minor photoshopping--mostly crops.  Usually, my photos taken at the time of the day tend to be weak and washed out.

So, just to set you up for the garden tours, here are some fine examples of the architecture--Victorian, Italianate, Beaux Arts, Craftsman, Queen Anne.  Regretfully, your guess is as good as mine about identifying what's what.  I'm going to take their architecture tour later in the year.  But for now, just notice the wonderful doors, gates, windows, towers, ironwork, and roof lines--all set on beautifully landscaped lots.

These houses are on St. James Court:

And finally, here are a couple of favorites on Belgravia Court where most of the gardens are located:





So, if this preliminary "walk" through the neighborhood has piqued your interest in the gardens, come back tomorrow for Friday Fences and I'll show you one--much more fun than dragging the water hose around trying to keep your own plants alive!