MURFREESBORO – Tours within the famed historic district; expert information on masonry issues; and an arts and crafts showcase….there’s something for everyone on Saturday, April 12 in Murfreesboro.

An Arts & Crafts Showcase is scheduled for 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Flanagan House Bed and Breakfast, located at 308 West Main Street. There, patrons are welcomed to browse through a variety of wood crafts, glass creations, Henna art, pottery, ceramics, paintings, knitted items, custom jewelry, and photography.

The Flanagan House will offer its delicious baked goods and unique beverages for sale.

The Showcase will also feature live music from the Craig Janney Trio.

Admission is free and parking is available along Main Street.

For more information on the Showcase or to arrange for a vendor’s table, call 252-396-1780 or go to http:// www.whatshappeningnorthcarolina.com.

Launching its 2nd Saturday Tours for 2014, the Murfreesboro Historical Association, Inc. (MHA) will offer guided tours on April 12 of its 12 block National Register Historic District which features excellent interiors in restored late 18th and early 19th century buildings and museums. Exhibits include Civil War memorabilia, a real Gatling Gun and a model of a flying machine that took to the air 30 years before the Wright Brothers.

Special guest, Jack Peet, an expert on brick and masonry from Williamsburg, VA, will be on hand to discuss identifying and resolving masonry issues in historic structures.

Tour admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12.  Refreshments will be available.

Tours start at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3 pm and interested individuals should meet at the historic Murfree-Smith Law Office, 318 Williams Street, Murfreesboro.  Call 252-398-5922 for more information or visit www.murfreesboronc.org.

The MHA will offer “2^nd Saturday” tours each month through October.

For those with a homeowner’s interest in historic properties, the 1st Annual Murfreesboro Historic Preservation Resources Fair will also be held Saturday, April 12, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Murfree-Williams House, 320 Williams Street, Murfreesboro.

Situated in the Historic District and occurring simultaneously with the 2nd Saturday Tours, the Historic Preservation Resources Fair is a day-long celebration of new ideas, innovative materials and techniques for historic preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic homes.  Retailers, suppliers and professionals will be on hand to answer your questions and this free family-friendly fair is for anyone who wants to learn how to restore, decorate or care for an older home. Plenty of handouts will be available for you to take home.

Whether you already own an older home or are considering purchasing one, this fair is for you. For more information please contact: Ruth Akright at ruth.akright@verizon.net or 757-477-2795.