Author: PHW

The results from the second bracket are in! “Amble Along Amherst” (2000) won by a landslide. We’ll look forward to seeing the results in the second round when it goes up against the 2003 tour “At Home for Christmas.” Here’s our updated bracket:

It’s time for you to choose the next tour moving on to round two. Your choices are 2012 tour Tradition & Transformation or the 2007 tour Something Old, Something New. 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, August 19, and results will be posted in the August 21 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.

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Week four features tours that focused on family traditions and old-fashioned holiday charm, separated by almost twenty years. Both tours took place primarily in the South Washington Street and South Stewart Street areas, two very popular streets for home tours. Which tour appeals more to you? Your options for week four are the 2004 tour Holiday Houses on Parade or the 1981 tour Yuletide Traditions. To refresh your memory, here are the descriptions of the sites:

Holiday Houses on Parade in 2004 featured holiday traditions and decorations that reflect the owner’s tastes, family, and interests that in turn made the houses enjoyable to visitors. Exterior photos of some of the homes used in the creation of the brochure are available at Flickr.

520 South Stewart Street, Bruce and Donna Downing

This Colonial Revival Style home was built by the Ben Arthur family in 1929. The interior of the house is characterized by high vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms and wide hallways. The design is enhanced by several porches, including an old fashioned screened-in summer sleeping porch over the rear sunroom. Christmas trees formed the centerpiece of the tour’s decorations. A cedar tree in the south sunroom of the house was decorated with World War II antique ornaments and old fashioned tinsel. A full-sized tree outside of the east sunroom was decorated with lights and items for birds and squirrels.

517 South Washington Street, David and Renee Thompson

This home was built around 1905 by Robert Doran on part of the original lot of Robert’s parents. Shortly before 1940, Dr. George and Helen Smith purchased the home and owned the property until the Thompsons bought the house in 1994. Most of the home’s antiques were from Soldier’s Rest, as well as an original watercolor of Soldier’s Rest painted in 1895. Renee, a seamstress, created all of the window treatments and textile accents. A collection of nearly fifty Santa Clauses were scattered throughout their home. A tall silver ornamented tree extending up their staircase in the entrance foyer was a family holiday tradition.

800 South Washington St., Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Lauer

Built circa 1914, this American Arts and Crafts style home has a wonderfully simple open floor plan with distinctive woodwork. The rooms on the first floor are large and, though the kitchen has been recently updated, retain all of the original charm. The owners’ love of art is reflected in their growing collection of regional paintings. Several pieces are by the owner, designer and artist, Robert Lauer.

516 South Stewart Street, M.B. “Pete” and Caz Clowe III

The Clowes are the third family to have lived in this wood framed, Williamsburg-style house built in 1932. It has two fireplaces, one in the formal living room framed by a beautiful old Winchester mantel, and the other in the master bedroom. Miff and Becky Clowe moved into the home in 1947 when Miff returned from World War II. During the war, Becky searched for antique furniture especially for this house, even though they didn’t own it at the time. Their son, M.B. “Pete” Clowe, III, now lives here with his wife, Caz. On display will be some newly-found pen and ink drawings by H.W. Clowe, founder of Clowe’s Jewelry Store in 1876, and his son, Mifflin, Sr. Old mantle clocks, furniture pieces, advertising displays and Civil War letters were also part of the home’s furnishings.

215 West Clifford Street, Stan and Jan Corneal

This brick home was built by Joseph P. and Edith Hicks Miller. Miller was the great grandson of the original Godfrey Miller, who owned Miller’s Dry Goods Store. The house contains Winchester mantels and other architectural elements from area homes, adding an old-fashioned feel to the interior. The original ledger for expenses in the building of the house was found and a copy was on display. Artwork by Stan’s grandfather, who was a friend of W.C. Wyeth, grace the home. Jan is also an artist and illustrator. Family tradition has the Corneals decorating their Christmas tree on the winter solstice and lighting candles to celebrate the turning point of the year.

515 South Washington Street, Dr. and Mrs. Llewellyn Kitchin

Legend has it that this Victorian house was built by a father for his spinster daughter. When the house was built, the owners were so proud of the radiators, or the “new way to heat,” that there is only one fireplace in the house. The large dining room features family pieces from Dr. Kitchin’s side of the family, as well as a painting that has been restored after sustaining damage from a stick going through it. Outside of the dining room windows are tombstones that are a part of the sidewalk. They may be misprints that were “recycled.” The home has been improved by the Kitchins by the addition of a kitchen and family room. These rooms have turned this proud Victorian into a home that suits the lifestyle of the modern day family. As you drive or walk down South Washington Street, you are sure to notice the lit Christmas tree on the front porch of the Kitchin’s home.

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Yuletide Traditions in 1981 was the epitome of a classic Christmas house tour. The homes spanned most of the length of South Washington Street, going back to the roots of Winchester with Thorn Hill and progressing through to the 1950s with the Patton home. Horse-drawn carriage rides were held on Washington Street, which was closed for the event. A Christmas Festival Sing was held in the yard of 300 S. Washington Street. Images of the homes decorated for the tour, as well as the Christmas Festival Sing and the carriages are available at Flickr.

222 Handley Boulevard, Mr. and Mrs. David Tharpe

Travel the seas to merry olde England as you step across the threshold of this charming English country cottage-style home. The house, built in 1933, is constructed of local limestone and was extensively renovated by the owners. The Tharpes’ love of England was evident in the English antique furnishings, paintings, and garden which well-suited the architecture of the house.

801 S. Washington Street, Mr. & Mrs. Philip Boyd Glaize, Sr.

This impressive Colonial Revival stucco house, built c. 1922, features beautiful Oriental carpeting, traditional furnishings, and needlepoint items stitched by Mrs. Glaize. Some of the fine pieces of furniture were made by the Glaize and Brother Lumber Company of Winchester, which was founded by Mr. Glaize’s grandfather in 1854. An interesting feature was the airy rattan furnished sunroom with a free-flowing fountain.

407 S. Washington Street, Dr. & Mrs. Monford D. Custer, Jr.

The original portion of this Georgian-style house known as Thorn Hill was built in 1787, although its present hip roof and appearance date to an extensive remodeling after a fire in the early 19th century. A long, wide entrance hall leads the visitor to the Custer’s paneled library, a beautifully appointed sitting room and a spacious dining room, each with a fireplace. The ornate woodwork in the dining room was believed to have been carved by Hessian soldiers, following the Revolutionary War. The fascinating collection of autographs in the family room was of particular interest.

300 S. Washington Street, Mr. & Mrs. J. Sloan Kuykendall

Samuel Atwell built this stately Georgian-style home in 1874, although subsequent owners have since made numerous renovations and additions. Note the attractive entrance with leaded glass transom and sidelights. Of particular interest was Mrs. Kuykendall’s amber glass collection and the wood carved fireplace mantels which match those at the White House.

205 S. Washington Street, Mr. & Mrs. Harold D. Patton

Signs of Christmas were everywhere in this spacious contemporary house built in 1951. The traditional living and dining rooms were handsomely furnished in Henkel-Harris furniture, sold exclusively at Patton’s Furniture Sales in Winchester, established by Mr. Patton in 1957. The holiday season found the Patton family gathered in the cozy kitchen for their annual cookie bake.

122 W. Cork Street, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Yerkes

This two story Federal-style residence is one of three stucco-covered houses on the north side of Cork Street erected by Mr. O.M. Brown in the 1850s. The home was the site of the Christmas Shop featuring delectable homemade baked goods, greens, and handmade wreaths made by Preservation of Historic Winchester volunteers. Guests could warm themselves with gingerbread cookies and hot apple cider.

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Voting for this match-up will begin on Friday, August 21 and run through Wednesday, August 26. 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!

The results from the first bracket are in! “At Home for Christmas” (2003) beat out “Christmas Morning Long Ago” (1979) by one vote! It was a close race, so thank you to all who voted. Here’s our updated bracket:

Now it’s up to you to choose which tour will face off against “At Home for Christmas” in round two! Will it be Clifford Street Aglow for the Holidays or Amble Along Amherst? 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, August 12, and results will be posted in the August 14 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.

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Week three pits two tours of similar themes against each other. Which one highlighted the combination of holiday traditions with new construction and adaptive reuse best? Your options for week three are the 2012 tour Tradition & Transformation or the 2007 tour Something Old, Something New. To refresh your memory, here are the descriptions of the sites:

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The Tradition and Transformation tour invited visitors to explore historic sites decorated for the holidays and transformed for modern uses. The Blue Ridge Blend Barbershop Quartet serenaded party-goers on Saturday, while carolers in period costumes organized by Todd and Theresa Apple of the Winchester Little Theatre strolled the streets Sunday. The tour brochure with the images of all the houses is available at PHW’s site. A select number of photos from Christ Episcopal Church during the tour can be seen at Flickr.

230 West Boscawen Street, New Lifestyles

Known as the George Seevers Residence or the Holly House, this circa 1854 building combines Greek Revival-style frieze windows and pedimented doorway surround with Italianate arched windows, brick quoins, and hood molds. Union General Banks used this building as his headquarters in 1862. The building was later owned by various members of the Conrad family from 1879-1940 before being converted to office space.

140 West Boscawen Street, Christ Episcopal Church

Christ Episcopal Church has been in continuous use as a sacred site since its construction in 1828. The Gothic Revival-style building is dominated by the three-story bell tower crowned with finials and quatrefoil balustrades. A pointed-arch accented with a flower motif surrounds the double-leaf paneled wood doors. Of particular interest and beauty are the stained glass windows, installed in the late 19th century by the Gernhardt Company of Baltimore. A select number of photos from Christ Episcopal Church during the tour can be seen at Flickr.

103 South Washington Street, Chuck Alton and Judith Omslaer

This Italianate style home was constructed circa 1880 for the Willis family. The elongated first-story windows, segmental brick arches, and modest detailing typify domestic architecture in Winchester during this period. Paired scrolled brackets, cornice returns an ogee-molded cornice, and jigsawn brackets and pendants complete the Italianate styling.

205 South Washington Street, Ardis Cullers

Constructed circa 1951 by Boyd Hamman, this home was designed in the Colonial Revival style with a Cape Cod form. Two dormers extend from the eastern slope of the roof. The central bay on the facade contains a single-leaf, paneled wood door surrounded by four-light side-lights and a semi-elliptical fanlight. This was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Patton, who established Patton’s Furniture Sales in 1957.

211 South Washington Street Erich and Kristin Bruhn

Historically known as the Richard Byrd Residence, this Federal-style dwelling was constructed in 1832 for the prominent Winchester lawyer and member of the Virginia House of Delegates of the same name. Built of Flemish-bond brick, the home is topped with a hipped roof featuring a central Palladian dormer window. The Queen Anne-style porch embellished with a dentilated cornice and spindlework was added circa 1870. This house was willed to PHW by Mrs. Lucille Lozier, an early president of the organization. It is now owned by the Bruhns.

201 South Braddock Street, John Chesson and Anne Schempp

Constructed circa 1810 with a Federal-style form, the building was altered in the 1840s to reflect the fashionable Greek Revival style. Samuel Noakes purchased the property in 1857. The house was altered again in the twentieth century for commercial use as the Peoples Barber Shop. The building is a mixture of limestone and brick covered with a low-pitched, side-gabled roof, covered with standing-seam metal. The house was undergoing renovation at the time of the tour. Images of the process were highlighted on the tour and documented in the PHW blog. The process is summarized on the Reader & Swartz website.

15 South Washington Street, Richard and Pamela DeBergh

Built circa 1899, the DeBergh house, one of the Baker family homes constructed on this block, features an eclectic assembly of Colonial Revival-style details. The second floor has a central bay window festooned with carved swags. Note the Gothic tracery in the second-floor windows, an unusual feature for any house at the turn-of-the-20th century. The house is topped by dormers with alternating triangular and broken-arched pediments in the Dutch Colonial Revival-style slate gambrel roof. The house was only open for the Saturday evening Preview Party.

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Something Old, Something New in 2007 was a concept tour essentially split into two halves – modern construction adjacent to the Historic District, and adaptive reuse projects inside the Historic District. The homes on this tour were newly constructed in the Glen Lea subdivision, created on land that was once part of 445 Fairmont Avenue, the Glen Lee or Dunheath property. The two commercial buildings highlighted on the tour featured the City Meat Building and the Baker and Co. stone warehouse, both adaptive reuse projects. The Shop was held in the Centre Friends Meeting House, while the Preview Party was held on Saturday at 119 South Washington Street, a c. 1820 home modernized around 1870 by Maj. Robert Hunter. See the PHW blog post with the images and descriptions of all the houses. More photos are available at Flickr.

225 West North Street, Chad Bales and Lori Fountain Bales

Chad and Lori designed their home to fit in with the neighboring historic houses. From the preservation of a stately 200 year old tulip poplar to the use of natural materials throughout, they have adapted their modern, spacious home to its gracious neighborhood. The outdoor fireplace, gourmet kitchen, radiant floor heating and multiple exterior porches are just some of the highlights of this lovely residence uniquely crafted by Fountain Homes.

465 Glen Lea Court, Tom Dillon and Margaret Galloway

Built in 2004, this Ryan Home design includes a side solarium, a quiet and cozy sunroom, and a morning room off the kitchen. Hardwood flooring and ceramic tile grace the main living areas. Commercial grade appliances and granite countertops make the kitchen a gourmet chef’s delight. Many antiques and family heirlooms were found throughout the house as well as artwork from local and national artists.

441 Glen Lea Court, Les and Sabra Veach House

This French Traditional style home was designed by the owners and can claim the distinction of being Winchester’s first all steel frame residential construction. The interior boasts exotic wood floors, a paneled handmade library, an entry hall with double staircase, luxurious master bath, and a gourmet kitchen. A pool house, four car garage, and spectacular landscaping complete the home’s elegance.

420 Glen Lea Court, Dr. Richard and Annoica Ingram House

The Ingram home is composed of bold, contemporary forms blended with traditional elements from Northern European architecture. The main level of the home is floored with Red Ironbark, prized for its durability as well as its beauty. The custom cherry cabinetry in the library was designed by Paul Miller of MakeNest Interiors and was inspired by elements of Maymont Park, an historic estate in Richmond, Virginia.

205-213 North Cameron Street, The City Meat Building

Historical research revealed a long mercantile life for this property, housing meat markets, grocery stores, and furniture stores. The exterior was restored based on photos from the 1950s and enhanced by light-reducing fabric scrims depicting a 1930s butcher shop. The interiors were executed in a modern approach, with new wood and glass walls and exposed structural steel. Light reaches the lower levels through cracked glass floors, which are lit from above by clerestory windows and a skylight. See more photos and details of the interior at www.citymeatbuilding.com.

145 Baker Street, Habitat for Humanity

Built between 1888 and 1897, this building is the only remaining limestone warehouse in Winchester. Baker and Co. Wholesale Grocers built and used this structure to receive and distribute grocery merchandise from the adjacent railroad line. After changing hands several times, the property fell into disrepair and was purchased by Habitat in 2000. Many area businesses donated materials and services to complete the extensive renovations.

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Voting for this match-up will begin on Friday, August 14 and run through Wednesday, August 19. 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!

The polls are open! Cast your vote for 1979’s “Christmas Morning Long Ago” or 2003’s “At Home for Christmas” this week! Voting is open to anyone. If you need a refresher on the two tours before making your choice, visit last week’s blog for more information. The poll will be open until Wednesday, August 5, and results will be posted in the August 7 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.

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Week two will see an interesting head to head match between Clifford Street and Amherst Street. There were two tours subtitled “Aglow for the Holidays.” Our voting option, however, is the 2009 tour of Clifford Street. Competing against it is the 2000 tour “Amble Along Amherst,” which coincidentally was the other location of an Aglow for the Holidays tour. Which street shone more brightly for the Holiday House Tour? You decide! To refresh your memory, here are the competitors:

Aglow for the Holidays focused on the West Clifford Street neighborhood. Situated on a gentle hill, the homes were predominantly Colonial Revival with Queen Anne stylistic details overlooking the Old Hospital site. The tour was graced with a gentle snowfall overnight, imparting extra beauty and holiday charm to the Sunday afternoon tours. Images of the tour can be seen in the Flickr Album.

309 South Stewart Street – George and Margie Sheppard

This Colonial Revival style home of brown brick combines traditional detailing and decorative woodwork. A paneled front door flanked by elliptical tracery transom and sidelights welcomed guests to a warm and friendly environment. A center gabled dormer flanked by round arch dormers lends more whimsy to the facade while parapet chimneys with semi-circular attic windows anchor the gable ends.

309 West Clifford Street – Richard and Melanie Lewis

The charm of this c. 1910 house comes from the diversity of its late Queen Anne style and early 20th century building technology. The clapboard-covered facade with shaped shingles is punctuated by a two-story semi-circular bay topped with a turned finial and an upper story wing-tip gable dormer. A variety of windows typical of Victorian homes, including a small colored glass pane window, light the interior and decorate the facade.

403 West Clifford Street – Bob and Lynne Caldwell

This home is locally known as the Nancy Larrick house. It was constructed in 1926 by Nancy Larrick’s parents. Behind a limestone wall the brick Colonial Revival style house exhibits a strong symmetrical facade with an eaves front roof supported by a dentil cornice. Its front Doric columned porch leads to a center hall door with small pane transom and sidelights which is flanked by large tripartite windows. A sample of Nancy Larrick’s writing on children’s literature is available at Goucher’s website.

415 West Clifford Street – John and Elizabeth Quinn

The symmetry and order of the Colonial Revival style combined with the textural variety of the Queen Anne style has influenced the creation of this early 20th century house. A wrought iron fence welcomes visitors to the first-story front porch supported by Doric columns. A paneled door surrounded by a fanlight transom and decorative shaped sidelights opens to the center hallway.

419 West Clifford Street – Gregory and Steffany Plotts

Ascending halfway up the gentle hill of Clifford Street is this Colonial Revival style house of brick and stucco. The front porch, with fluted Doric columns and a low railing with turned balustrade, enhances the symmetrical facade with a dentil cornice and center paneled doorway flanked with sidelights. The house was formerly the parsonage for the Market Street Church.

124 West Boscawen Street – Frances Barton Event Center

Originally known as the Thomas Phillips house, this brick home has graced Boscawen Street for two hundred years. The house retains its delicate Federal-style woodwork with six panel doors, bullseye surrounds, five Winchester mantels, and front hallway fanlight. The Event Center was the site of the Preview Party on Saturday night, as well as the Bough and Dough Shop on Sunday. House tours of the upper levels were also offered on Sunday. Musicians from the Symphony of the Valley performed both Saturday evening and Sunday for party-goers and shoppers.

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Amble Along Amherst presented a rare opportunity to tour some of Winchester’s finest homes along this scenic street festively bedecked for the holidays. Amherst Street was named by Winchester’s founder, Colonel James Wood, in 1758 as part of an addition to the town he established in 1744. The street is named for Lord Jeffrey Amherst, who commanded the British expeditionary forces against the French during the French & Indian War. Images from the tour, including extravagant arrangements in the homes, can be seen in the Flicker Album.

514 Amherst Street – Selma

The first Selma was a stone house built in 1813 for Judge Dabney Carr. George Mason’s grandson, James M. Mason, bought the property in 1829. Mason, a U.S. Senator, authored the controversial Fugitive Slave Law. Union troops destroyed his home when they arrived in Winchester in 1862. A new Selma was built in the grand Second Empire style by Judge Edmond Pendleton in 1872. The interior is richly detailed with architectural features and fine carvings. Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Dick purchased Selma in 1953 to provide a spacious home for themselves and their seven young children. A fire damaged the house before they took occupancy. Charles and Lucille Dick restored the house and made it a comfortable home for themselves, their children and many friends. The decorations were typical of a Dick family Christmas including the children’s tree in the den. The dining room table was set for Christmas dinner for 35 family members and guests.

530 Amherst Street – The Hexagon House

The Hexagon House is a unique six-sided structure built for James W. Burgess, a Winchester furniture dealer, between 1871-1874. It is the only six-sided house in Virginia. In the late 1800s, polygonal houses were promoted as practical, economical and healthful as the plans allowed for more windows and doors that bring the occupant closer to nature. At the time, the house served as the administrative offices for the Glen Burnie Museum (now the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley).

730 Amherst Street – The Old Town Spring House

The spring house was built in 1756 as part of James Wood’s Glen Burnie estate. The fresh water springs were an important factor in the settlement of Winchester. George Washington, Frederick County’s representative in Virginia’s House of Burgesses, authored legislation in 1761 to protect public water supplies, in particular Winchester’s Old Town Spring. Winchester has one of the oldest public water systems in the United States. In 1808, the Winchester water supply was only a few years behind Philadelphia in the construction of a wooden piped system providing water directly to the City’s occupants.

800 Amherst Street – The Toll House

The Northwestern Turnpike, now US 50, was a major transportation route west of Winchester. This little house at the end of Amherst Street served as the tollkeeper’s house. Travelers stopped here to pay a toll before continuing along the road. PHW prevented demolition of this house by purchasing it through PHW’s Revolving Fund. The Toll House was then sold to Barbara Tierney who renovated the house into a delightful cottage retreat.

801 Amherst Street – Glen Burnie

The central portion of this Georgian house was built in 1794 by Robert Wood, son of Winchester’s founder Col. James Wood. In the 19th century the house was enlarged with wings added to either end. In the mid-20th century, Julian Wood Glass, Jr. began restoration of his ancestral home and Glen Burnie became his country retreat. For the tour, the house featured a Christmas tree with unique ornaments created by Glen Burnie’s late Curator of Gardens, R. Lee Taylor, who for nearly fifty years was an integral part of the restoration and preservation of the house. Glen Burnie opened to the public as a museum in 1997.

217 West Boscawen Street – Alicia and Bill Hartley

This Federal style house was built c. 1835 and was the home of John Bruce, the Scottish architect who built Christ Episcopal Church. The home was the site of the Preview Party with gourmet holiday fare provided by The Hotel Strasburg. The building may be better known as the Old Water Street Inn today.

525 Amherst Street – Bough and Dough Shop

The Bough and Dough Shop featured more than 40 talented artisans from throughout the mid-Atlantic region. It was and remains to date the largest Bough and Dough Shop space in the history of the tour. The shop was located in the former Super Fresh or A&P grocery store, now an adaptive reuse project for medical use.

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Voting for this match-up will begin on Friday, August 7 and run through Wednesday, August 12. 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!

August Madness is coming! For fun this summer, the PHW Office is hosting a voting bracket to pick your favorite Holiday House Tour of years past. This week, we narrowed down the event themes from the previous 43 years to the top 16. The scientific selection process focused on the unique, memorable, and catchy names PHW volunteers and staff have generated over the years. The list was then randomized to generate the match-ups below.

Our first match-up pits the 1979 tour “Christmas Morning Long Ago” against the 2003 tour “At Home for Christmas.” To help you prepare for the polls opening on Survey Monkey July 31, here’s a refresher on the two tours!

Christmas Morning Long Ago in 1979 featured eight early homes and offices primarily in the South Loudoun Street area. In addition to the already impressive lineup of homes, the sites featured unique antique toys themed to each house.

Lozier House – 211 South Washington Street

This impressive Federal-Style brick, 2 1/2 story house was historically named “The Byrd House.” It was built in 1832 by Richard E. Byrd, a prominent Winchester lawyer. The beautiful Federal doorway has a fine elliptical fanlight and moldings. This house was willed to PHW by the late Mrs. Lucille Lozier. Three handsome miniature houses owned by Lee Taylor and decorated for Christmas were displayed, including the “Shadows-on the Teche” house viewable at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.

PHW Office – 8 East Cork Street

The former headquarters for PHW located in this stone and frame building was owned in the late 18th century by Peter Lauck, one of General Daniel Morgan’s riflemen. This building is said to have been an out-building for Lauck’s “Red Lion Tavern” across the street. The headquarters was festively decorated and visitors were treated to a collection of early wheeled toys.

Dr. and Mrs. E.C. Stuart – 208 South Loudoun Street

Peter Lauck built this Federal-style native limestone dwelling adjacent to his “Red Lion Tavern” in 1789. The interior features original wide pine board floors, paneled woodwork, chair rail, cornices and fireplaces. The fireplace overmantel is paneled with carved oak leaves and dentil crown molding. Under the decorated Christmas tree an 1868 rocking horse and an 18th century cradle with a collection of dolls awaited visitors.

George Smith Weaving Shop – 217 South Loudoun Street

The Rutherford House was built in 1779 by Robert Rutherford, a member of the House of Burgesses, the Virginia Senate, and the U.S. Congress. The native limestone house with brick facing has a particularly attractive wood entry door with 8 panels and a fanlight. The door at street level under the front stairs leads to the basement of the Rutherford House, where the weaving shop was located. The wooden toys displayed here remind you of Christmas Morning Long Ago.

Dr. Craig C. Stoner – 311 South Loudoun Street

This exposed log house is known as the “Simon Lauck House.” Simon Lauck was a gunsmith and lived in this 2 story house with board and batten door and 2 corner stone fireplaces. This is the first house bought and sold through PHW’s Revolving Fund. Visitors to this house were treated to a display of some interesting wind-up toys.

Sacred Heart Church – 407 South Loudoun Street

The Roman Catholic Church circa 1870 has a tower with louvered belfry and spire. There are lancet windows in the tower and around the sides. The decorative details above the windows and elliptical brick work can be seen over the front door and fanlight. The brick basement, with its entrance on the side street, was used as the PHW Bough and Dough Shop for this tour.

Mr. and Mrs. William F. Miller – 510 South Loudoun Street

Henry Moore built this Federal-Style brick house circa 1795. An unusual feature is the diamond shaped design of brick headers incorporated in the north gable. The acorn design in the paneling over the mantel in the living room and the spindles of the stairway are similar to those at “Glen Burnie” and the “Red Lion Tavern.” A signed Isaac Zane fireback with an inscribed “Malboro Furnace” mark was discovered in the dining room fireplace. Early dolls and accessories were displayed with the traditional Christmas trimmings.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rockwood – 522 South Loudoun Street

Dr. Cornelius Baldwin House is a Federal-style townhouse constructed in 1785 by Dr. Baldwin, physician to Lord Fairfax and grandfather of Mary Baldwin, the namesake of Mary Baldwin College. The exterior is covered with the original beaded weather boards and crowned with an 18th century modillion cornice. The elaborate interior woodwork and most of the original 6 paneled doors have remained intact. Small toys, tea sets, doll furniture and stuffed animals under the large Christmas tree and merrily burning Yule logs gave a warm welcome to visitors.

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At Home for Christmas in 2003 featured six homes in the North Braddock Street neighborhood, an area that has been lightly visited by PHW. The tour was designed to highlight seasonal surprises, music, and family traditions to get visitors in the mood to celebrate the upcoming holidays.

Peggy Sweeney and Jay Duvall – 216 North Braddock St.

Although George Washington never slept in this house, he nevertheless once owned the property on which the house was built. The c. 1820 home languished vacant save for a large population of pigeons for seven years prior to 1992. The Victorian detailing currently on the exterior of the house and the decorative walnut newel post and handrail in the interior were mid-19th century “improvements.” Mr. Duvall is a talented stained glass artist who has crafted the stained glass in the home’s doors.

Richard and Sarah Adams Bell – 119 Peyton St.

The Bell house was originally constructed in the early 1930s. The Bells purchased the house in 1997 and have been renovating ever since. Each phase of renovation was precursor to the birth of their children. Through the multiple phases, they have maintained a deep respect for the original construction and have carried details and finishes of the old throughout the new. The Bells delight in the purchase of a unique Christmas tree ornament that signifies the family’s life of the past year. The tree has become a living history of the family each holiday season.

Scott and Sue Dyke – 429 North Braddock St.

The Dyke home was built circa 1919 by Louis Baker, a pharmacist and owner of the Lovett Orchards. One of the Dyke daughters found the orchard’s apple stencil under the front porch. The house features Winchester mantels that were salvaged from a house demolished in downtown Winchester and date to about 1844. The family traditionally hosts the Dyke/Eyles family for Christmas Eve Dinner. Approximately 50 family members gather to sing a Christmas carol before dinner, followed by the “Thieves Christmas” game.

Robin Sutton – 435 North Braddock St.

The Suttons are only the second family to have lived in this house built by the Goode family in 1910. George Goode, the last member of the original family to live in the house, was Winchester’s first Eagle Scout and was a noted artist who painted many of the early Apple Blossom Program covers, some of which were on display. Several trees grace the house and are decorated with ornaments from the Sutton family, as well as some from the Goode family. Stories of mysterious happenings in the house were a part of the tour.

Anne and Jeff Buettner – 331 North Braddock St.

The Buettners purchased this 1870s Italianate-style house in 1998 and returned the building to its original status as a single family residence from several apartments. The house was the former manse of the Loudoun Street Presbyterian Church and was also the home of Charles B. Meredith, a jeweler, and between 1882 and 1891 the residence of William Baker, the chocolate manufacturer. The Buettners have collections of Santas, nut crackers, and Byer’s Choice Caroler dolls. Their two Christmas trees have ornaments made by their children and ones that Anne and Jeff have collected during the years.

Ed Duncan and Steve Saulka – 327 North Braddock St.

The preview party was held in the circa 1900 residence showing an eclectic mixture of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles. When the house was purchased in 2000, it contained four apartments. The house consists of 14 rooms, 5 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, and 6 baths. The owners have added a sunroom, porch, and an addition. The renovated barn behind the house, known to the owners as the “TGIF” room, was the setting for the food. Music by Robert Dumm and his physician students from the grand piano in the parlor enlivened the evening.

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Voting for this match-up will begin on Friday, July 31 and run through Wednesday, August 5. 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!