The Ida May and Charles McNairy Residence at 1006 Fairmont Street will be open as Tour House #1 on the weekend of May 17-18 as part of Preservation Greensboro’s Tour of Historic Homes & Gardens.
This charming Craftsman-style home was constructed around 1927, likely as a speculative house by contractor Walter Waynick. Following a quick secession of owners who likely “flipped” the property for the opportunity of financial gain, the house was finally acquired by homeowners Ida May and Charles McNairy in July 1930.
The 2,565 square foot Craftsman style home exhibits deep eaves and a long roofline punctuated by twin gabled wall dormers. Paired windows and clapboard siding including clapboarded porch supports and balustrade, reinforce the Craftsman theme of the home. Interior spaces are flooded with natural light in an open floor plan.
Charles Allen McNairy was born 6 March 1885 on a farm in northern Guilford County. On 30 Nov 1910, he married 20-year-old Ida May in Hillsdale, and the couple settled in Greensboro. Charles worked for poultry wholesaler G. S. Miles Company located on Lewis Street. Years later, McNairy established his own company Charles McNairy Live or Dressed Poultry on South Elm Street. The couple had one child, Ruth Evelyn, who was born in 1913. In their new home, the couple also took on boarders such as 35-year-old travelling salesman John Landis of Ohio, and the young 44-year-old widow Lula Scott.
The home remained in the McNairy family a remarkable 51 years. Charles died in 1957 and Ida May passed away in 1980. Their daughter sold the home in 1981 to Ann Adams and Rayford Kennedy. Current owners Amy and Brian Cook acquired the house in 2013. Recent updates include an airy new kitchen that spills into a bright family room. Just beyond is a quaint screened porch which opens to a secluded garden and large deck. 
The 2014 Tour of Historic Homes and Gardens will feature a total of eight vintage homes in the Westerwood neighborhood. Plan to spend the weekend touring stunning homes of the twentieth century that highlight interesting architecture, design ideas, and local history! Advanced tickets will be available for purchase after April 16th.
Stay tuned to our website, this blog and our Facebook page for additional information!
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