Porch Brunch and House Tour

by Tricia Ferdinand

The people of Collingswood are proud. So much so, that they established the Proud Neighbors of Collingswood in 1983 in reaction to the threat of demolition and the general loss of interest in upkeep of the properties in the area. The Proud Neighbors of Collingswood, comprised of volunteers, is a not-for-profit, nonpolitical civic organization headed by Marlene Granitz. She mentions that one of the main goals of the Proud Neighbors of Collingswood is to "maintain the historic character of the community through developing an awareness of neighborhood preservation."

What better way to showcase this pride than through the Porch Brunch and House Tour taking place in Collingswood on May 16? The Proud Neighbors of Collingswood celebrate their 17th year of tours, aptly subtitled, "What's Your Style: Home Styles of Our Hometown," which features a stroll through Collingswood's Main Street. The tour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., features five historic homes with styles ranging from Arts and Crafts to American Foursquare, to Queen Anne and Victorian. Businesses are also featured on the tour from noon to 3:30 p.m., including a newly renovated building, formerly an auditorium, which in 1914 was dubbed the "Moving Picture Parlor." There are nine porch brunch locations with servings of delicious food cooked up by volunteers on vintage porches decorated in festive colors. Brunch is served at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. with advance reservations (at this writing, tickets were almost sold out).

The Proud Neighbors of Collingswood have donated a number of wonderful things to the community, not the least of which is the spreading awareness of historic roots and neighborhood pride.

Porch Brunch and House Tour, Sun., May 16, $10-$12, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., 856-869-9658.

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