Author: PHW

Holiday House Tour 2015: Thank You to Our Sponsors!

PHW is grateful for the community support it takes to pull off this event every year. We are especially indebted to our advertising sponsors, who help us offset some of the expenses associated with hosting an event of this magnitude every year.

We extend our thanks to the following advertising sponsors of the 2015 Holiday House Tour:
Bank of Clarke County
Belle Grove
The Cake Boutique
Colony Realty
Davenport Insulation
Flavor Pourfection
Richard Hampton, United Real Estate
Incredible Flying Objects
Sherri Kitts, OakCrest Builders
Murphy Beverage Co.
OakCrest Companies
Eugene B. Smith Gallery
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
Summit Community Bank
Union Jack Pub & Restaurant
Village Square Restaurant
Vintage, Inc.
Winchester Foreign & Domestic Automotive Repair
Winchester Little Theatre

We also extend our thanks to the following in-kind supporters and advance ticket sale locations:
The Final Yard
Kimberly’s
Mount Hebron Cemetery
Wilkins’ Shoe Center
Winchester Book Gallery
Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center
Winchester Little Theatre
Winchester Medical Center
Winchester Surgical Clinic

The tour would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.

Holiday House Tour 2015: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates of the 2015 House Holiday Tour?

The 2015 Holiday House Tour and Bough and Dough Shop will be held the weekend of December 5 & 6.

What do the proceeds of the Holiday House Tour benefit?

Ticket sales to the Preview Party and Daylight Tours are used to fund PHW’s operating expenses. The 20% proceeds collected from the vendors at the Bough and Dough Shop will be donated this year to the Winchester Little Theatre’s ongoing Restoration Campaign. The Holiday House Tour booklet advertisers help us to defray the cost of hosting event (including printing, postage, catering, and decorating expenses).

Is the event rescheduled for inclement weather?

The event will not be rescheduled for inclement weather. Please call (540) 667-3577 or watch our website and Facebook for any inclement weather announcements.

How should I dress for the tour?

Dress for the weather in comfortable, low-heeled shoes for your time outside walking or waiting in line.

May children attend the Preview Party?

While not prohibited, we do ask that minors are accompanied by an adult. The Preview Party is typically very busy and does not have a set tour like the other homes. It may be overwhelming for small children.

Is any parking reserved for Holiday House Tour patrons?

Yes, this year PHW has secured additional parking at the Winchester Surgical Center parking lot at the corner of Boscawen and Stewart Streets. There is also limited parking available at the top of the driveway at the Hexagon House.

Is photography allowed inside the homes?

No, photography is not allowed inside private residences.

Approximately how long do the tours take?

This depends on the size of the house, whether or not there are lines, and the travel time between sites. Most house tours take approximately fifteen to twenty minutes once inside.

Is there a set order to view the houses?

No – in fact we encourage you to visit “out of order” to help reduce wait times at the houses.

Are there guides between houses?

No – because you can visit the sites in any order, and many people move their cars between tour areas, there are no guides to walk you between sites.

How much is admission to the Bough and Dough Shop?

Admission to the Shop is always free!

May I visit only one house on the tour?

Yes. Admission to a single house is $5. Pay at the door of the house you wish to visit.

Can I tour houses on both days of the tour?

Yes. The Preview Party tickets are two-day passes to the Holiday House Tour weekend. The two-day passes include the Preview Party and Candlelight Tours on Saturday evening, as well as the Daylight Tours on Sunday afternoon.

Is there a group rate for the Holiday House Tour?

Sorry, there is no group discount rate.

Can I receive a refund on unused advance tickets?

PHW will not issue refunds for unused advance tickets. Remember, Preview Party tickets are also valid for Sunday’s Daylight tour!

Is there a discounted ticket to the Saturday Preview Party?

All current PHW members receive a $10 discount to the Party ticket cost.

Does the tour sell out?

The tour does not limit the number of visitors for the Sunday Daylight tour. The Saturday Preview Party is capped between 150-200 people, depending on the size of the Party House that year.

Do you have a question that’s not answered here? Please let us know! You may call PHW at 540-667-3577 or email us at phwi@verizon.net.

Holiday House Tour 2015: December Delights Introduction

HHT PineconesJoin us for Preservation of Historic Winchester’s 39th Annual Holiday House Tour, “December Delights.” This year we visit a selection of homes and non-profit organizations in and around Winchester’s newly expanded Virginia Landmarks Register Historic District, spanning the range of Winchester’s architecture and history from the 1780s to the 1940s on December 5 and 6.

Winchester’s western Historic District corridor is the artery to the former Northwestern Turnpike, now Route 50 West. The need for a western road had been recognized by General Daniel Morgan and George Washington as early as 1748. The turnpike, constructed between 1831-1838, connected Winchester to Parkersburg, West Virginia. Toll houses were located at twenty mile intervals along its length. Despite the seemingly impossible task of traversing the hilly terrain, Chief Engineer Captain Claudius Crozet surveyed and connected the most important settlements between Winchester and Parkersburg. The Northwestern Turnpike “bears the earmarks of his engineering genius” and the road was a success. The tolls paid for the road to be macadamized (paved) in the 1840s, shortly after it was completed.

Although the Northwestern Turnpike was supplanted by railroads and canals to the north shortly before the Civil War, it was vital to the westward movement. It remains one of our area’s scenic and historic routes, populated with historic sites and homes along its length.

Can’t wait for more Holiday House tour information? Be sure to visit the main Holiday House Tour page for basic information and online ticket sales, the Featured Artisan page for a sneak peek at the Bough and Dough Shop vendors, and the FAQ page for some frequently asked questions about the Holiday House Tour. These pages are being updated through November.

Holiday House Tour 2015 Map and Tour Locations

We start off our month-long Holiday House Tour informational posts with the maps and addresses of the 2015 sites:

Advance Ticket Sale Locations

Bough and Dough Shop

  • 315 West Boscawen Street, Bough and Dough Shop (open to the public December 5 from 9AM-5PM and December 6 from 11 AM-5PM, no entry fee)

Preview Party

  • 703 South Stewart Street, Preview Party House (open December 5 from 6-9PM only)

House Tour Locations

  • 608 South Stewart Street
  • 226 Amherst Street
  • 530 Amherst Street
  • 220 West Boscawen Street
  • 24 South Washington Street

Parking
Free parking for the event is available at:

  • The Bough & Dough Shop, 315 West Boscawen Street
  • Winchester Surgical Clinic, corner of Stewart and Boscawen Streets
  • The Hexagon House, 530 Amherst Street (limited parking at the top of the driveway)
  • City-operated surface lots
  • On-street along the tour

City Autoparks (Braddock, Court Square, George Washington, and Loudoun) are self-service and open 24 hours a day for $0.50 per hour.

Holiday House Tour 2015: December Delights

It’s that time of the year! PHW is proud to announce the lineup for the 2015 Holiday House Tour on December 5 & 6: Holiday House Tour 2015

  • 315 West Boscawen Street, Bough and Dough Shop (open to the public December 5 from 9AM-5PM and December 6 from 11 AM-5PM, no entry fee)
  • 703 South Stewart Street, Preview Party House (open December 5 from 6-9PM only)
  • 608 South Stewart Street
  • 226 Amherst Street
  • 530 Amherst Street
  • 220 West Boscawen Street
  • 24 South Washington Street

Ticket Information:
Bough and Dough Shop
Open to the public, no ticket required! Please come in and shop for your holiday greenery and gift-giving, and even pick up lunch! Like last year, PHW will donate the 20% proceeds collected from the Shop vendors to the Winchester Little Theatre’s Restoration Campaign.

Two-Day Party & Tour Ticket
Includes access to the Preview Party (includes food and drink) and all the homes for the Candlelight Tour on Saturday, December 5 from 6-9 PM AND access to the homes on Sunday, December 6 from 1-5 PM
Cost: $40/PHW member, $50/nonmember

Sunday Daylight Tour Tickets
Includes access to the homes on Sunday, December 6 from 1-5 PM
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
An individual house may be visited on Sunday, December 6 for $5 per stop.

Advance tickets are anticipated to go on sale the week of November 16 at the following locations:
The Final Yard, 33 East Gerrard Street
Kimberly’s, 135 North Braddock Street
Wilkins’ Shoe Center, 7 South Loudoun Street
Winchester Book Gallery, 185 North Loudoun Street
Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center, 1400 South Pleasant Valley Road

Advance tickets will be sold at the Bough and Dough Shop on December 5 from 9 AM-5 PM and December 6 from 11 AM-5 PM. The Bough and Dough Shop is able to process credit cards in addition to cash and checks.

Stay tuned next week as we begin our coverage of Holiday House Tour with in depth looks at the tour stops and the Bough and Dough Shop.

Coming November 14: Kickoff Event for the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry Project

Shenandoah Valley Tapestry

Margaretta Barton Colt will speak about her experiences writing “Defend the Valley” and how it inspired Duff’s painting which showcases many of the buildings that are referenced in the book and are familiar landmarks in Winchester and Frederick County. Colt will also share her new memoir, “Martial Bliss: The Story of The Military Bookman”, which describes the Colts’ antiquarian bookstore and how it provided the impetus for writing “Defend the Valley.” An exhibit of artwork to highlight many of the talented people working on the tapestry as well as other members of the community will be on display from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the lower level of Handley Library. Event goers will be able to admire the artwork before and after Colt’s presentation. Attendees will also be able to take a stitch and sign their name in the “Shenandoah Valley Tapestry- A Journey through Time” log book. Those who attend the event will see which historical homes and buildings will be stitched in the tapestry and also have the option to adopt one. The Winchester Book Gallery will provide copies of Colt’s book which will be available to purchase.

Date: November 14, 2015
Time: The Stitch in Time art exhibit will be displayed from noon-5 PM
A Journey Through Time with author Margaretta Barton Colt will start at 2 PM
Location: Handley Library, Lower Level, 100 West Piccadilly Street
This event is free and open to the public!

Action Needed: Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015

Via the AIA Advocacy Team:

Congressional champions of historic preservation need your help in protecting and strengthening the Historic Tax Credit. Last week, Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015, a bill that makes the credit work even better and increases its economic impact.

This bill comes at a critical time for the HTC: members of Congress are moving quickly to overhaul our nation’s tax code, and in the process are looking to cut and even eliminate a significant number of deductions, credits, and other incentives. That means every tax credit is on the table for elimination, a fact that became abundantly clear in the last session of Congress when a proposal to do away with the Historic Tax Credit was brought forward.

That’s why Reps. Kelly and Blumenauer need your help in convincing their House colleagues to support their legislation, which would increase the rehabilitation credit for certain small projects, clarify IRS rules regarding federal tax treatment of state HTCs, expand the credit to include certain moderate rehabilitation projects, and several other key changes to bring the credit into the 21st century.

Urge your representative to support this market-based incentive with a proven economic track record. Please contact your legislator today and ask them to cosponsor and support the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015.

For most of us, our representative is Barbara Comstock. You may check your representative by inputting your zip code at Find Your Representative. If you are a member of AIA, there is a form letter available to you at the AIA Advocacy Center (membership required).

Friday Photos: Scenes from a Speakeasy

Just one week ago, PHW put together a speakeasy-themed Memberfest celebration. The event was a huge success, with over 70 guests in attendance at various points in the evening. Thank you to our hosts at Below the Fringe for the perfect speakeasy location, The Bob Larson Trio for the evening of jazz, and the crew from the Winchester Little Theatre who helped with check ins and performed the readings.

If you missed the fun, enjoy a few images of the event on Flickr.

PHW Speakeasy Memberfest

Mark Your Calendars: Next Lecture on Douglas School Set for Nov. 12

Douglas SchoolPreservation of Historic Winchester invites you to a “Lunch and Learn” Lecture “History of Douglas School-Winchester, Virginia,” presented by Judy Humbert. She will talk informally about the history of the school and the creation of the book she co-authored with June Gaskins-Davis, “History of Douglas School Winchester, Virginia: A Tribute to Endurance, Belief, Perseverance, and Success.”

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015

Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Location: June E. Jeffrey Education Center at OakCrest Companies, 126 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA. The Education Center is at the upper parking lot, in the addition closest to the Winchester Star building.

Cost: The Lunch and Learn lectures are free and open to the public!

RSVPs: Appreciated but not required.

Parking: There is no off-street parking available at OakCrest. We recommend utilizing the George Washington Autopark at 131 N. Kent St.

Questions? phwi@verizon.net or 540-667-3577

Journey to Germany: The Hite Heartland A Tour Sponsored by Belle Grove Plantation in 2016

Via our friends at Belle Grove, notice of a special trip in the works to Germany to visit the homeland of some of Winchester’s earliest settlers, the Hite family. 12 participants are necessary for this tour to take place, but 16 would be ideal. The deadline for sign-up is December 1, 2015. If you are interested, email Kristen Laise at klaise@bellegrove.org.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber

When: Departure date no earlier than May 20 and no later than June 1, 2016

How long: 10 days—9 nights in Germany at 4-star small hotels

Where: German states of Baden Wuerttemberg and Bavaria (detail below)

House where Jost Hite lived in Bonfeld
House where Jost Hite lived in Bonfeld

For whom: Not only Jost Hite descendants, but anyone interested in travel in Germany! Travelers need not be young, but they must be able-bodied, as there is walking that includes hilly cobblestone streets and steps.

Who is guiding: Board member Katharine Brown and her husband Madison, German speakers who have led 13 group tours to this part of Germany for the Germanna Foundation since 2003.

What is the cost: $4,300 per person with shared double rooms. Includes round-trip airfare from Washington/Dulles via Icelandair; ground transportation by van in Germany; 9 nights at 4-star hotels in Germany; all meals except one lunch on your own in Rothenburg, wine or beer with dinner each night; all admissions to sites and museums we visit; and a tax-deductible donation to Belle Grove.

Additional Details: The guides have found competitive prices on Icelandair and the flight will have a layover there. Should you wish to travel to Iceland on your own before or after the group trip in Germany, your airline ticket can be arranged accordingly.

Some Itinerary Details
Continue reading Journey to Germany: The Hite Heartland A Tour Sponsored by Belle Grove Plantation in 2016