Jewels of Highlands Home Tour Boasts Elegance, Intrigue, History and ´Green´ Construction

DENVER, Mar. 28 /PRNewswire/ --

DENVER, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, April 27, from noon to 5:00 pm, seven homes in the Historic Highlands neighborhood of northwest Denver will reveal their mystery and appeal to patrons of this year's Jewels of Highlands Home Tour, spanning the spectrum from practical to luxurious, from historic to modern. Each of these unique residences has a compelling story to share: a legend about Billy the Kid, a mural painted in lieu of rent, a sprawling French Chateau, an original farmhouse kitchen, unconventional construction techniques...even the Innkeepers' Quarters in the Basement of the Lumber Baron Inn are unveiled in this year's compelling tour.

The Lumber Baron, a renowned, historic, luxury bed & breakfast inn in the Highlands neighborhood, has sponsored this annual event since 1995. Three years ago, Innkeeper Walter Keller generously agreed to partner the Tour with Denver School of the Arts' Stagecraft and Design Department. All proceeds from this event benefit the technical theater students at DSA, a competitive charter in the Denver Public School District. "For so many years, we baked the cookies, sold the cookies, bought the cookies, and ate the cookies," says senior parent Sara Pines. "We knew there had to be a better way to raise funds to support our programs." The Home Tour, it turns out, was the answer to that challenge. Now, fundraising efforts for DSA's Stagecraft Department are focused entirely around this single event. In the first year the Home Tour netted $7,500 for the school, a figure that was more than doubled in year two. The Department hopes to do even better this time around.

Nostalgic Homes, which has served the Highlands urban homes neighborhood since 1985, returns for the second year as a principal sponsor of the Jewels of Highlands Tour. Co-owner Jennifer Apel says, "We are honored to be a part of this wonderful annual event. This neighborhood features some of the finest architectural treasures of Denver, and we're proud to help show them off."

Tickets for the event will cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door (of the Lumber Baron Inn, 2555 W. 37th Avenue or Nostalgic Homes, 3737 West 32nd Avenue) on the day of the tour. Advance tickets are also available from DSA families, The Lumber Baron Inn, Nostalgic Homes, or online at the DSA website (http://dsa.dpsk12.org/).