For 75 years, a dedicated group of women have been staging a Homes Tour to support Inova Alexandria Hospital. In 1941 when the tour started, WWII was looming and the minimum wage was 30 cents per hour. A lot has changed in seventy-five years but the tour continues. The tour, originally started by the Senior Auxiliary of the hospital, is now presented by The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Countless hours of planning and organization go into the Homes Tour, one of the most anticipated annual fundraisers. The summer before the tour is a flurry of activity as the history behind the houses and contents are researched and documented. Docents are recruited for placement in each house; donations are solicited; invitations and brochures are designed and printed; and flowers and mums are solicited from local florists and nurseries. Dedicated volunteers devote their time to ensure that the tour is a success year after year.
Throughout the years, many gracious homeowners in Alexandria have opened their spectacular homes and gardens to support the hospital. Tour-goers learn about the unique history of residences dating back to the early history of our country and get to see the latest in renovations and historic preservation for modern living in Old Town Alexandria. This year, the six homes are particularly impressive. It is these homeowners and volunteers that we salute with our 75th Annual Tour – the Diamond Jubilee Homes Tour.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, September 23rd with a James Bond themed party “Diamonds are Forever” at Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota. The walking tour of unique, historic homes and gardens in the heart of Old Town Alexandria is from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, September 24th. Tickets for both events are available at www.TheTwig.org
The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, is an organization of women dedicated to providing financial aid, volunteer service and support to Inova Alexandria Hospital. Since its founding in 1933, The Twig has donated over $3.8 million dollars to the hospital for a variety of projects. The Twig is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization.
