Another week down, and another Holiday House Tour has emerged victorious from the poll of public opinion. Potato Hill Promenade (2014) bested December Delights (2015) with 100% of the votes! Here’s our updated bracket:
It’s time for you to choose the next tour to compete against Potato Hill Promenade in quarterfinals. Your choices are Travel Through Time (2016) and Through the Centuries (2019). You can refresh your memory on the tours here, and take the poll when you’re ready. Voting is open to anyone. The poll will be open until Wednesday, September 9, and results will be posted in the September 11 blog post. Have fun, share the poll and don’t forget to leave comments or replies on the social media channel of your choice that might persuade voters to your favorite tour.
Create your own user feedback surveyWeek seven matches Yesteryear & Beyond (2011) against A Candlelight Christmas (1982). Both tours were on the inclusive side with more than the usual five stops. Yesteryear & Beyond was concentrated on adaptive reuse projects and buildings waiting for their next phase of use, while A Candlelight Christmas focused on South Loudoun Street homes recently renovated for residential or commercial use. To refresh your memory, here are the descriptions of the tours:
Yesteryear & Beyond in 2011 was an ambitious tour that visited eight historic buildings. It was different from the standard tour format in that instead of concentrating on homes, most of the sites were residential construction repurposed for commercial use. While it was not a traditional tour of houses, many of the buildings were still architecturally or historically intriguing. As with most modern house tours, the Bough and Dough Shop was held at the Winchester Little Theatre for the event weekend. Carolers were also present to brighten the event, led by Little Theatre volunteer Jim Carter. See some images of the tour at Flickr and refresh your memory of the sites below:
The Lewis Jones Knitting Mill, 120-126 North Kent St.
The Lewis Jones Knitting Mill was constructed in 1895 for the production of cotton knit goods. Founded by Lewis Jones, Sr. of Philadelphia and Albert Baker of Winchester, it was the only cotton mill in Winchester. The rehabilitation of the late Victorian-era brick building by Oakcrest was based around preserving the original brick and timber construction structure. All interior and exterior brick and wood timbers were restored to their natural finish. The Knitting Mill was open only for the Preview Party on Saturday night. Costumed carolers from the Winchester Little Theatre enlivened the party with seasonal music.
Red Lion Tavern, 204 South Loudoun St.
The Georgian-style limestone tavern known as the Red Lion was constructed circa 1783 by Peter Lauck, a member of Morgan’s Riflemen. Peter Lauck and his wife Amelia kept the Red Lion Tavern from 1783 to 1831. Peter sold the tavern to his son Issac in 1831 and retired to his home “Edgehill” at the end of Cork Street. However, he did not stay in retirement long, buying the property back from Issac three years later and living here until his death in 1839, with Amelia following him in 1842. The building retains a remarkable level of interior integrity, including the wide plank floors, the enormous kitchen fireplace, a moveable interior wall in the second-story ballroom, paneled mantels, early decorative hinges and pintles, and unique flying buttresses.
Hill’s Keep 126 South Loudoun St.
This vernacular limestone dwelling was constructed circa 1810. The deeply recessed wood door is flanked by 6/6, double-hung, wood-sash windows with wood sills and board-and-batten wood shutters typical of the period. The building, originally part of the Red Lion Tavern complex, has served as an ice cream factory, candy store, dwelling, printing shop, and the office of Preservation of Historic Winchester. At the time of the tour, is was the office of Winchester Storm. The building was moved from its original location at 8 East Cork Street in 2004.
Christ Episcopal Church, 142 West Boscawen St.
Christ Episcopal Church has been in continuous use as a sacred site in Winchester since its construction in 1828. Before entering the church, visitors were encouraged to view the side yard which contains the tomb of Lord Fairfax, the proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia. The original church building was situated at the corner of Loudoun and Boscawen Streets on land given by Lord Fairfax. In 1827, the Parish took the name Christ Church and began the relocation process to the present location on Boscawen Street. The fashionable new church was built with the proceeds of the sale of the original church. The interior of the church is lined with plaques commemorating rectors and parishioners from the 18th to 20th centuries. In the chancel, a glass top case holds silver and pewter pieces; one of the oldest being a pewter communion cup inscribed “Frederick Parish 1746.” Visit Christ Episcopal Church online for more information about their history and parish programs at www.christchurchwinchester.org. Further history may be obtained from the book The History of Christ Church, Frederick Parish, by Katherine L. Brown, et. al., available at the Handley Regional Library.
109 Amherst St.
This charming office was once part of the Federal-style dwelling facing North Braddock Street erected circa 1820 by Samuel Brown. From 1856 until the Civil War, the building was home to a school for girls run by Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Powell. The ell containing 109 Amherst Street was later converted to a single-family dwelling. The whimsical asymmetry of the façade draws the eye to the single-leaf, paneled wood door flanked by five-light sidelights.
106 North Washington St.
Constructed in stages from the early 19th century on, the present house is the home of Harry and Debbie Smith. Its external appearance is typical of late 19th century Victorian remodeling with German wood siding, bracketed eaves, and a center gable highlighted with fish scale wood shingles. Before you enter this home on the tour, be sure to note the slightly asymmetrical facade that resulted from the expansion of two bays to the north. The stairways, mantels and pine flooring are original elements from the 19th century enlargement of the house.
302 West Boscawen Street
The professional office of J. Douglas McCarthy & Associates is constructed in the Queen Anne style with Eastlake influences. Through the front door, guests are greeted in the entry hall by a classic gilded female figure atop a tall incised oak newel post. Her upraised arms support a milk glass globe lighting the oak staircase. The parlor is highlighted by a grand walnut over-mantel with beveled mirrors backing bric-a-brac shelves. The dining room fireplace mantel, though less ornamental, is carved with turnings and simplified geometric designs in the English tradition of Charles Locke Eastlake. The carvings of this mantel repeat the design of the front double doors. This engaging structure is located on the site of the Winchester Medical College. The first College opened in 1827 but was closed shortly after. The second attempt in 1847 proved more successful and the College remained in operation until the beginning of the Civil War, when the building burned in 1862. Charles L. Crum subsequently purchased the lot to construct his residence, the current building, in 1881.
The Cabell House, 324 West Boscawen Street
This late Federal-style dwelling was built for Mrs. Elizabeth W. Cabell around 1843. The clean lines of the facade are accented with rosetted corner blocks on the window lintels. Delicate fluted columns in the manner of Minard Lefever surround the front entrance. The stately symmetry of the exterior is repeated in the two parlor rooms flanking the entry hall with its main staircase composed of delicately turned balusters and a boxy, geometric patterned newel post. Large 5-paneled doors with box locks open into each room with classical fireplaces made with Winchester knife-shelf mantels supported by Tuscan columns. In the center of one fireplace is a carved classical urn panel and on the other is an American eagle in profile. The west room has a cast iron decorative stove insert. This home is featured in Garland R. Quarles’ book The Story of One Hundred Old Homes in Winchester, Virginia.
A Candlelight Christmas in 1982 saw Loudoun Street bustling with vendors calling out their wares, strolling carolers, and the scent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies and spicy hot cider emanating from Kitty and Nancy’s Custom Drapery Shop at 220 S. Loudoun Street. All but two homes were bought and sold through PHW’s W. Raymond Jennings Revolving Fund, making it another Revolving Fund-centric tour. After the tour, guests were encouraged to continue down the Loudoun Street Mall to experience the town’s 1890s Christmas celebration. Merchants were in costume and the shops were festively decorated. See photos of the tour homes and the miniature rooms on display at the Godfrey Miller Home on Flickr and refresh your memory of the houses below:
Old Friendship Fire Hall, 12 E. Cork Street
Friendship Fire Hall, built at this location in 1892 and used as a firehall until 1957, was the site of the Christmas Shop, featuring delicious homemade baked goods, fresh greens, and handmade wreaths made by Preservation of Historic Winchester volunteers. The old firehall housed Friendship Fibers, an arts and craft shop owned by Winnie Crew, at the time of the tour.
Godfrey Miller Home, 28 S. Loudoun Street
This impressive home was built c. 1780. Purchased by John Miller in 1812, it remained in the Miller family for 125 years. It became the home of Godfrey S. Miller, John’s son, shortly before the Civil War. His daughter, Miss Margaretta (Gettie) Miller left the home to the Grace Lutheran Church in 1938. In the fall of 1976, the Godfrey Miller Home became a permanent fellowship center for senior citizens. The thirteen spacious rooms were decorated for the Christmas season. Miss Gettie’s diary was on display for visitors. Eight miniature rooms handmade in the 1940s by Mr. William P. Massey, Sr. and four miniature rooms owned by Mrs. Dorothy Hippler were also on display.
Mr. & Mrs. William Morrell, 215 S. Loudoun Street
This two story brick house was built c. 1840 and later remodeled in the Victorian style. The front entrance has a bracketed cornice, turned balusters and elaborate scroll work. Fine Arts Limited, an art gallery in the front room, was owned by the residents, Mr. & Mrs. Morrell. Three fireplaces and fresh greenery brought this home aglow with the warmth of the holiday season.
Mr. & Mrs. John G. Lewis, 422 S. Loudoun Street
The Peter Miller House is an excellent example of an early Federal style log home. Godfrey Miller, a stocking-weaver, migrated to Winchester in 1768 and built 424 S. Loudoun St. in 1774. Shortly before his death in 1803, he built 422 S. Loudoun for his son, Peter. Of the remaining c. 1800 mantels, one in the front room is in the Winchester style. Note the wide pine flooring, beaded backboard moldings, original chair rail and interior paneled doors. This home lets you step back in time to experience the charm of a colonial Christmas.
Dr. Steven Cooksey, 501 S. Loudoun Street
This log home was built nearly two hundred years ago by Benjamin Sidler. Originally a small cabin, it was later enlarged during the ownership of Godfrey Miller and his heirs from 1797 until 1871. Music is always in the air, as the present owner, Dr. Cooksey, is the chairman of the keyboard division at Shenandoah College & Conservatory of Music. The natural greenery of the decorations remind one of an 18th century style celebration.
Marian J. Rhodes, 513 S. Loudoun Street
A colonial feast awaited holiday guests at this home with a groaning table of traditional fare – turkey, ham, oysters, potatoes and pies. This 18th century log structure sits on a high stone foundation due to the cutting away of Loudoun St. in the mid-1800s. The c. 1790 house has original pine floors and paneled wainscoting in the front hall, living room and den. The charm of this restored house was highlighted by the 18th century style decorations.
Emily J. Farrington, 11 E. Monmouth Street
Around the corner to Monmouth Street visitors could see this charming log duplex, built pre-1850. The owner’s son, Gary S. Farrington, restored much of the house, including the original brick and stone fireplaces downstairs and the two upstairs bedrooms. Original wood beams were left exposed in the upstairs. Traditional holiday trimmings highlighted the style of this home.
Eleanor S. Rutledge, 610 S. Loudoun St. and Mary E. Farabaugh, 612 S. Loudoun St.
Conrad Crebs, a Hessian soldier, who was brought here as a prisoner during the Revolutionary War, built these log structures c. 1785. He used 612 as his residence and 610 as his wagon-making shop. The buildings have original beaded weatherboard siding and large stone end chimneys. Note the massive corner fireplaces in 612. Both dwellings have wide pine floors, original hinges, and board and batten doors. Follow the twisting staircase in 610 to the spacious second floor bedroom. Mr. & Mrs. David G. Simpson restored the two dwellings. The homes were decorated for the holidays in a festive country manner.
Voting for this match-up will begin on Friday, September 11 and run through Wednesday, September 16. We will post the link to the poll across social media next Friday and encourage you to share and participate. Results from each match will be announced in the Friday Roundup post and the bracket graphic will be updated. Have fun and feel free to comment with memories you may have of the tour to sway the outcome!