TOUR THE OLD CLOVERDALE HOME THAT PROVES IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

May 17, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Old is the new green. That's the theme of National Preservation Month and the motto of the Gayle-Browning House, an Old Cloverdale home that proves even historic houses can be sustainable. As May and National Preservation Month draw to a close, the Landmarks Foundation is offering a tour of the house to educate the community on historic preservation efforts in the area and how, as National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe says, "The greenest building is the one already built." Tours will be offered on May 26 at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at the house located at 643 Felder Avenue. Admission is free but registration is required. Please call 334-240-4500 for reservations. 

Built in 1913, the Gayle-Browning House is a 4,500-square-foot Tudor home in the heart of Old Cloverdale. It's restoration, commissioned by owner George A. Browning, III, maintained historic elements while incorporating energy efficient and green building materials. In 2008, the restoration project was awarded the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council’s High Performance Building Award.

"The restoration of this house brings together elements of historic preservation, energy efficiency and green building products in one project," said Christy Anderson, Land Use Historic Preservation Coordinator for the City of Montgomery. "The Gayle-Browning House is an excellent example of how efficiency in old houses can be improved without having to sacrifice historic details such as original windows and doors."