Richardson’s oldest surviving home is taking another step toward a new future as restoration work continues on the historic Miss Belle’s House. The Texas Historical Landmark is being placed on its permanent foundation at Huffhines Park, allowing crews to begin restoring the home’s exterior. City officials expect that work to be completed this fall. “This is the painstaking task to preserve a piece of 19th-century Richardson,” the city said as crews carefully prepared the structure for its next phase of restoration. City Manager Don Magner said preserving the home is about honoring the city’s history. “In Richardson, we like to talk about standing on the shoulders of those that came before us, and so preserving our history is really important to this community,” Magner said. According to the city, contractors are following strict preservation standards while repairing and sealing the wooden structure and repainting it using its original colors. “It is very tailored toward preserving the unique features of the building so that it can continue to be that historical landmark,” Magner said. Built between 1886 and 1889, the home is named after Virginia Belle, a teacher who operated a private school there for more than 40 years. Originally located at the corner of Sherman and Kaufman streets, the house has been moved several times over the decades, including to the former Owens Spring Creek Farm. Its final three-mile move to Huffhines Park took place in October, when part of the structure was detached to allow for transport. For Richardson resident Anita White, watching the restoration has been a reminder of the city’s past. “We’ve been watching them and every little thing though, is one step to get to reality,” White said. White grew up in Richardson and remembers the neighborhood where the home once stood. “I used to walk through the streets to go to football games after school at the time Richardson Junior High, so I remember these houses and even babysat for people in that neighborhood. I remember everything, and now it’s here, and it’s right here,” she said. The city’s long-term vision is to restore the home’s interior to its original condition. Officials said they may seek sponsors or donors to help transform the property into an educational space and community event venue. Magner said plans also include improving the outdoor space surrounding the home. “We’re also going to be creating a very nice exterior yard so events can extend into that yard area,” he said. White said she’s eager to see the project continue. “We just can’t wait to see the progress,” she said. ...read more read less