THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230088
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 361 lines
IT'S TIME to haul out the holiday decorations, but if you're looking for ideas or inspiration to get you started, plan to visit some of the homes open for this year's holiday tours.
There are numerous tours, from the Eastern Shore to North Carolina. They start this week and continue through the first of the year. So put on some flat shoes, grab a notebook and get into the spirit of the season.
Following is a roundup of home tours throughout the region. Mark your calendar and visit one or several - the lights, greenery and welcome mats await you.
Thursday
Holly Homes Tour. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 17th annual tour benefits Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Five homes in the Bay Colony area of Virginia Beach will be featured.
Joan and Tom Lyons, 1121 Wye Lane. Traditional and formal style creates images of a manor in the English countryside.
Kathy and Robert Carter, 1300 E. Bay Shore Drive. A James River Plantation-style home.
Capt. Jack and Shirley Williams, 1233 E. Bay Shore Drive. An open and friendly ``Florida house.''
Jean and Ray Ingold, 937 Windsor Road. Sunny traditional home.
Emily and Robert Mills, 849 Holly Circle. Works by local artist Bruce Bingham and underwater photographs taken by the owner are displayed.
A ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. at the Lyons' residence where Santa's kitchen and the Holly Boutique will offer gifts. Raffle tickets for $1 will be sold at all the homes. A luncheon and fashion show will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cavalier-On-the-Hill, $15. Trolley services will be available at the Cavalier.
Tickets: $12 day of the tour or $10 in advance. For information, contact Norfolk City Union of the King's Daughters, 668-7098.
Saturday
36th Annual Christmas Homes Tour. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Presented by The Green Spring Garden Club of Williamsburg. Five homes in the Colonial Williamsburg area. No photographs or high heels.
The President's House, The College of William and Mary. Home of Dr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Sullivan.
The House on Peacock Hill. Home of Mrs. Beverly Coleman, 245 North Henry St.
Hartwell Perry's Ordinary. Home of Mrs. Stewart Gamage, Duke of Gloucester Street.
The John Crump House. Home of Ms. Susan M. Stuntz, Duke of Gloucester Street.
The Blue Bell Tavern. Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edgard I. Moreno, North Waller Street.
Tickets: $15 block, $4 each home. Available at Colonial Williamsburg's Inn, Lodge and Visitor Center or any tour home. For advance tickets, write: Green Spring Garden Club, 126 Holcomb Drive, Williamsburg, or call (804) 229-9363, (804) 229-7214. Use of Colonial Williamsburg buses is permitted with presentation of tour ticket.
Proceeds benefit the Williamsburg Community Hospital and fund a horticultural scholarship.
The Woman's Club of South Norfolk Christmas Open House Tour. 5 to 9 p.m. The tour will begin at South Norfolk Congregational Christian Church, 1030 Jackson Ave. Trolleys will provide transportation and will run continuously from the church.
Home of David and Jane Harner, Chesapeake Avenue; a 22-room Victorian mansion with six carved fireplaces; built by E.M. Tilley from 1890-93.
Home of Allen and Kathy More, Chesapeake Avenue; built by Waverly T. Lane Sr. in 1924.
Home of Les and Julie Anderson, Chesapeake Avenue; the former Breedlove home was built in 1933.
Home of Carole Cox, Chesapeake Avenue; built in 1914 or 1915 by Henry Jarvis Waters and owned by the Waters' family until this year.
Home of Barney W. Hall, Park Avenue; built in 1901.
Refreshments will be served at the church, and crafts will be for sale there.
Tickets: $5 available at the church door or purchased in advance by calling 545-2581, 545-3433. Proceeds to a Oscar F. Smith High School graduate toward a medical scholarship.
Saturday and next Sunday
Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society 19th Annual Candlelight Tour. 2 to 7 p.m. both days.
Originally the Myrick House, circa 1815. Home of Mr. and Mrs. B.L. Trump, 223 N. Main St.
Originally the Britt Home, circa 1800. Home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Woodward, 227 N. Main St.
Originally the Richard Seth Eley House, circa 1878. Home of the E.W. Elmore Family, 251 N. Main St.
Originally the Edgar Grace House, circa 1933. Young Properties, adaptive reuse, 444 N. Main St.
Four historic churches - St. Paul's Episcopal, First Baptist, Suffolk Christian and Main Street United Methodist - will offer special music, brief tours and historical points of interest.
From 3 to 5 p.m. both days visit the historic Hotel Elliott ballroom, circa 1925, where the performing company of the Fine Arts Center will demonstrate its talents.
Decorating demonstrations will be featured from 2 to 4 p.m. both days at the historic van Valkenburgh House, 220 N. Main St. A gift shop will be open both days from 2 to 7 p.m. featuring Christmas ornaments, decorations, greens and gifts, and Seaboard Train Station items including work by local artists.
Tour historic Riddick's Folly House Museum, the magnificent Greek Revival home, built 1837. Costumed characters will offer tea and desserts for purchase.
Tickets: $10 block ticket; $4 single home, available at each house on the day of tour. Advance tickets available at Riddick's Folly, 510 N. Main St.; The Willows, 800 W. Washington St.; or by calling Mrs. Charles H. Rose, 255-4663.
Proceeds benefit ``Save our Station'' restoration of Suffolk's historic Seaboard Train Station.
Christmas in Smithfield. 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tour of four historic buildings, with trolley shuttle departing regularly from the 7th Annual Christmas Antiques Show & Sale at Smithfield High School, Turner Drive, off routes 10 and 258 East.
St. Luke's Church, circa 1632, North America's oldest church of English foundation.
Boykin House, 318 S. Church St., built in 1881 by Richard Elliott Boykin, a lawyer and circuit court judge.
Nelms House, 205 S. Church St., built in 1882 by J. Henning Nelms, a lawyer, mayor and later Episcopalian rector.
Goodrich House, built in 1886, this Church Street mansion features a Victorian interior with a collection of antiques and enormous Christmas tree.
Tickets: $8 for a combination ticket, which also includes the antiques show and the trolley shuttle tour of Smithfield's National Historic District. Tickets available at the antiques show.
Also Candlelight Tours of the Boykin House and Nelms House; refreshments will be served. Tickets: $2.50 per home or $2.50 for both homes with purchase of a combination ticket.
Next Sunday
Hampton Holly Days Homes Tour. 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tour begins at the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, 4205 Victoria Blvd. Trolleys will provide transportation to five homes in the George Wythe section of Hampton.
Smoking, food, high heels and photographs prohibited.
John and Sallie Sebrell, 3637 Chesapeake Ave.
Randy and Melissa Gilliland, 3629 Chesapeake Ave.
Robert and Juanita Joyce, 3505 Chesapeake Ave.
George and Nancy LeCuyer, 3401 Chesapeake Ave.
Joseph and Lelia Drewry, ``Cocabola,'' 3506 Spotswood Place.
Light refreshments, holiday exhibits and other festivities.
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of tour. Groups of 20 or more, $7 if purchased by Monday. Tickets available at the Hampton Visitor Center, many downtown Hampton stores or through Hampton Frolics 727-6429, 727-1102.
Plantation Christmas. 1 to 4 p.m. at the Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. Enjoy this beautiful historic site decked for the holiday season by the Council of Gardens Clubs of Virginia Beach. Admission: Free. Enjoy music by Woodwind Quintet from the U.S. Continental Army Band from Fort Monroe and the Princess Anne High School Madrigals.
History After Dark: Christmas Past. At 4 p.m., trolleys leave Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., for a tour of decorated historic houses: Thoroughgood House, Lynnhaven House, Upper Wolfsnare Plantation and Francis Land House.
Tickets: $15; must be purchased in advance at Francis Land House. Refreshments served.
Maymont's 20th Annual Christmas Open House. Noon to 6:30 p.m. The setting at Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond, evokes a Victorian holiday experience - steaming wassail and ginger cookies, glowing logs, strolling carolers and musicians. Father Christmas will visit for the children, and there's a ``Little People Only'' gift shop. Adults also can shop for Christmas presents.
Admission: Free. Sign up early for a house tour and a carriage-time arrival, limited capacities. Free shuttle 11:30 a.m. to 7: 30 p.m. from Dogwood Dell. (804) 358-7166.
Dec. 5
33rd Annual Christmas in the Country Home Tour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Cape Henry Woman's Club of Virginia Beach.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Horton, 4112 Ewell Road. Formerly a four-room cottage on the Ewell's ``World's End Farm,'' extensive renovation has been done since the Horton's purchased the cottage in 1960.
Lunch will be available, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Haygood United Methodist Church, 4713 Haygood Road, $6. Parking is available at Bayside Presbyterian Church, Independence Boulevard and Ewell Road. Mini-buses will shuttle tour guests. A ``Country Store'' will sell members' crafts and baked goods. Cider and cookies served.
Tickets: $3. Proceeds benefit Cape Henry Woman's Club Scholarship Fund and local charities. 340-5441.
Dec. 6
Holiday House 1995. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by The Chelsea Green Hill Garden Club. Flat shoes only.
Home of Beaven and Marywalker Smith, 1732 Lovett's Pond Lane, Virginia Beach.
Craft fair and bake sale at the Smiths' beach house, located behind the main house, down an incline on Broad Bay.
Tickets: $3, available at door.
Dec. 8 and 9
Christmas Candlelight Tour, Edenton, N.C., Historical Commission. 4 to 8 p.m. both days.
Hayes Plantation, Mr. and Mrs. Gilliam Wood.
Hayes Cottage, Mr. and Mrs. John Wood.
Wessington, 120 West King Street, Anne Graham Rowe.
Mr. and Mrs. Dillard Dixon, 301 South Granville St.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Dixon, 119 W. Eden St.
Mr. and Mrs. John Tart, 207 W. Eden St., Mr. and Mrs. John Tart.
Mr. and Mrs. Scotty Harrell, 210 W. Eden St.
Mr. and Mrs. Ollin Sykes, 214 W. Eden St.
Mr. and Mrs. Hack High, 212 W. Queen St.
Mr. and Mrs. Neil O'Brien, 208 W. Queen St.
The Old Fish Hatchery, Dr. and Mrs. Peter Boehling.
The Castle, Ms. Marilyn Miller and Mr. Greg Hayden, 631 Yeopim Road.
Tickets: $15, available at Historic Edenton Visitors Center, 108 N. Broad St. For information (800) 775-0111, (919) 482-2637.
Free holiday events include the Iredell House Groaning Board and the Cupola House Wassail Bowl, both 18th-century-style Christmas celebrations, from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. On Dec. 10, Hope Plantation Christmas Open House will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in Windsor, N.C.
Dec. 9
Historic Homes Holiday Trolley Tour. 1 p.m. Trolleys leave Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, and take visitors back in time to visit the Lynnhaven House, Upper Wolfsnare Plantation, Francis Land House and the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum at the deWitt Cottage.
Tickets: Adults, $10; children, ages 6 to 12, $8. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Francis Land House.
Christmas in King William County. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula.
Marle Hill. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Childress. Route 360, 20 miles northeast of Richmond.
King William Courthouse. From intersection of routes 360 and 30 go south on Route 30 for eight miles, courthouse on left. From intersection of Routes 30 and 33 in West Point, go north on Route 30 for 17 miles, courthouse on the right.
Elsing Green. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Edgar R. Lafferty III and the Lafferty Foundation. From Courthouse, Route 30 south for 6 miles, turn right on Route 633 at Whites Shop, go 5.3 miles to Lanesville, turn right on Route 632, go 3.8 miles to property of left.
Romancoke. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Sture G. Olsson. From intersection of routes 30 and 33 in West Point, go north on Route 30 for 2 miles. Turn west on Route 703, then go 2.1 miles to property.
The Bland House. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. R. Tyler Bland III. In West Point at intersection of routes 30 and 33, turn south on Main street, go two blocks. House is at 12th and Main.
Other places of historic interest: Old St. John's Church on Route 30, two miles north of Courthouse; Pamunkey Indian Reservation, off Route 30; Mattaponi Indian Reservation, off Route 30.
Lunch at St. John's Church, West Point. $5.
Tickets: Block $15, single $7. For group tickets and lunch reservations, call or write Mrs. Robert M. Evans, P.O. Box 446, Urbanna, Va. 23175; (804) 758-3250.
Dec. 10
Holiday Homes Chesapeake, Christmas Homes Tour in Caroon Farms. 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Flat shoes required. Sponsored by Community Improvement Project of the Great Bridge Woman's Club.
Robert and Marjorie Nance, 500 New Zealand Reach.
Roger and Marcia Sargent, 455 New Zealand Reach.
Rick and Linda Strickler, 436 New Zealand Reach.
Don and Alvene Buckley, 1408 Cobble Scott Way.
Great Bridge United Methodist Church, new sanctuary.
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of tour, available on board trolley or at entrance of any featured home. Available at Ann's Hallmark Shop, Great Bridge Shopping Center; Confetti, Woodford Square; Crestar Bank, Volvo and Greenbrier parkways; Cheers, outer ring Greenbrier Mall; ticket chairman, Vicki Bradner 482-4480 or any member of Great Bridge Woman's Club. Trolley service, parking and boarding, Great Hope Baptist Church parking lot, Battlefield Boulevard South and Hillwell Road, Chesapeake.
Featured musicians in homes, complimentary drawings. Proceeds to benefit ``Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake!''
Fort Monroe Historical Tour of Homes. 1 to 5 p.m. Walking tour features 10 homes, two Post Chapels, Casemate Museum and Chamberlin Hotel. No wheelchair or stroller access. Children under 2 must be carried. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
36 Ingalls
St. Mary Star of the Sea
73 Ingalls
33 Fenwick (TRADOC Commanding General's Quarters.)
51 Fenwick
67 Fenwick
Lighthouse
18 Bernard
41 Bernard (Lee's Quarters)
36 Ruckman
Chapel of the Centurion
121 Bernard
151 Bernard (Quarters No. 1)
These grandiose residences were built by the Army during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Proceeds to local charities.
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of tour. For information, 874-8550.
Old Fashioned Christmas Home Tour, Parksley. 4 to 8 p.m. The tour begins at Railway Museum. No high heels.
The Killian Residence, circa 1918. Owners, Bert and Helena Killian.
The Hopkins House, built in 1912 by John Henry Hopkins (Cap'n. John), is an elegant Victorian-style house. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Garmon Justis.
Williams' Ordinary, owners, Peggy and John Williams. The oldest section was constructed in the 1790s in Hopeton, additions were made in the 1830s. In 1976 the house was moved to its present location.
The N.J. Parks House, built in 1904 for H.T. Mason. Current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Birch. The house is a classic example of the Queen Anne style of Victorian architecture, featuring a turret and wrap-around porch.
``Homeplace,'' circa 1903, was built by Henry Parks for Roy White, a local lawyer. Current owners, Constance and John Sanders, have restored the home and operate a small bed and breakfast. The original barn is still standing.
Parksley Baptist Church and Grace Methodist Church also will be open for tours. Carolers in Victorian attire will stroll the streets. Horse-drawn carriage tours will be offered for an additional fee.
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of tour. Tickets and brochures are available at the Eastern Shore Railway Museum, Russell's Formal and Bridal, Jaxon's, What's Your Fancy, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Shore Savings Bank and Central Fidelity Bank. Tour includes six private homes, two churches and the Eastern Shore Railway Museum. For information, (804) 665-4938, 5 to 9 p.m.
Sixth Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. 2 to 6 p.m. Sponsored by U.M.W of Pilmoor Church, Currituck, N.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Snowden, Italianate Victorian.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Sawyer, French country.
Mr. and Mrs. John Ammons, country.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dannert, contemporary.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rivenbark, Victorian.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Didario, contemporary.
Refreshments will be served.
Tickets: $5. May be purchased at the church or by calling (919) 232-3391.
Carrollton Christmas Homes Tour. 1 to 5 p.m. Sponsored by The Friends of the Carrollton Public Library.
Hugh and Susan Barlow, 15315 Barlowen Blvd., new Victorian style.
Harry and Jane Lee, 50 Nelson Maine, dutch Colonial showcase of 19th-century history.
Karen and Scott Brower, 15001 O'Mera Drive, finely detailed, custom-built home.
Evelyn and Lloyd Chandler, 9 Saint Catherine Drive, Italian Renaissance style home.
Refreshments will be served at the Barlow home, where the model of the new library will be on view. Proceeds to benefit the Carrollton Library building fund.
Tickets: $8, available at the library, NationsBank in Smithfield, James River Hardware or by calling 238-2538.
Dec. 16
'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Program begins on the hour, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Hunter House Victorian Museum, 240 W. Freemason St., Norfolk.
Visitors can share in the wonder of a Victorian Christmas, even a visit from St. Nicholas.
Tickets: $3, reservations required. 623-9814.
Dec. 17
Annual Holiday Open House. Noon to 5 p.m. at the Hunter House Victorian Museum, 240 W. Freemason St., Norfolk.
Tickets: $1 per person. 623-9814.
Jan. 6
An 18th-Century Twelfth Night. 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.
Step back in time and enjoy a traditional close to the holiday season. Music, dance with the Williamsburg Heritage Dance Ensemble, burn the Christmas greens and partake of Twelfth Night Cake.
Tickets: Adults, $3; students, ages 6 to 18, $2.
Compiled by Karen Santos ILLUSTRATION: Photos
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/The Virginian-Pilot
The 22-room, 19th-century home of David and Jane Harner at 1106
Chesapeake Ave. will be open for the South Norfolk Christmas Open
House Tour from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Five-year-old Russell Lyons sits in front of his Bay Colony home.
Tom and Joan Lyons' house will be open for tours Thursday.
by CNB