Historic Beaufort Foundation to auction replica of Bay Street home

For the Beaufort child or collector who doesn’t yet have everything, a large model of a historic Bay Street home will be auctioned Saturday.

Todd Bradley, of Beaufort’s Live Oak Builders, designed and crafted the replica home and donated the conversation piece to the Historic Beaufort Foundation to sell at its Lafayette Soiree, a fundraiser Saturday at 1305 Bay. St.

Event chairwoman Sharon Dwyer approached Bradley’s business about sponsoring the event and later had the idea of creating the replica. Bradley agreed to build and donate the smaller home.

“I think this is the most unique silent auction that has ever appeared at a (Historic Beaufort Foundation) soiree,” Dwyer said.

The project is modeled after 1305 Bay, once owned by John and Flora Trask and now owned by Drew and Pam Scallan, who will host the event.

Bradley walked the property and used photos to recreate details of the home. He used a plywood frame, dowels for columns and a shingle roof.

Tiny nails and some glue hold the structure together.

“He was excited about the challenge and the whole idea,” said Terry Rice, who handles marketing for Live Oak Builders.

The smaller building stands 40 inches wide and about 3  1/2 feet tall.

Beaufort artist Mary Thibault painted the detail work, and Liz O’Herron is consulting on the interior design, although furnishing the house will be left to the future owner.

Building the house required about 30 hours. Dwyer expects bidding on the house will start at $500 and the prospective buyers to be someone looking for a child’s dollhouse, a collector or anyone with an interest in the home’s architecture.

The Lafayette Soiree is billed as “an evening under the oaks” and will include a silent auction and live music. Bradley’s creation is the centerpiece of the auction.

The many auction items include various trips — a week in Miami or a hunting excursion in nearby Greenpond, anyone? — original artwork, furniture and opportunities for bestselling authors to appear with video streaming with book clubs.

The Historic Beaufort Foundation, which is celebrating 50 years, will also recognize original member Milton Parker. Tickets for the event are $125, and a limited number remain. Call 843-379-3331 for more information.

Revolutionary War Gen. Stephen Bull originally built a one-story house on the lot. The current home was built in the early 1900s.

The garden where the soiree will be held was built in the 1950s by legendary landscape architect Robert Marvin. His work includes Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island and the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.

1305 Bay St., shown in 2012

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 8:24 AM with the headline "Historic Beaufort Foundation to auction replica of Bay Street home."