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The community is invited to The W.H. Stark House for Spring Open House on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The W.H. Stark House Spring Open House is held during the City of Orange’s Annual Art in the Park event located in Stark Park.

“The community is invited to The W.H. Stark House for an art-themed walk through of the first two floors,” said Jennifer Dickinson, interim director of Stark Art and History Venues.

“We will also have a community rock art painting project in the Carriage House and a virtual scavenger hunt on the grounds. The decorated rocks will be displayed throughout the flower beds.”

The W.H. Stark House was built from 1893 to 1895. The Queen Anne style has many Victorian architectural features including bay windows, a turret and an asymmetrical floor plan.

Three brick chimneys with corbelling work connect to nine fireplaces. The historical house was solidly constructed to survive the extreme weather that sometimes occurs in Southeast Texas.

The foundation is brick with concrete plaster to offer structural strength and protection from high water. The exterior walls are ten inches thick with two layers of diagonal storm sheeting, while the interior double walls are sixteen inches thick.

Cypress is the basic material for the structure, due to the damp conditions of the area. All of the lumber for the framework came from the family-operated Lutcher & Moore Lumber Company, and each board was measured and cut for a precise fit.

“We are extremely excited to open the house to visitors for our Spring Open House. This is a great time of year for visitors to explore our blooming grounds and see the seasonal floral displays, including the new classic style pots planted with palms, a nod to the palm trees that punctuated the grounds when the Starks were in residence,” Dickinson said.

All ages are welcome, but groups with children in arms or limited mobility will have access to the first floor only.

Please note: The W.H. Stark House requires climbing steps to enter.

For more information about The W.H. Stark House or Spring Open House, visit whstarkhouse.org.

The W.H. Stark House is located at 610 Main Avenue in Orange. Admission is free of charge.