Holiday Home Tours in West Virginia
Santa has a busy schedule for visits in the Mountain State
Nov. 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2203, ext. 347
cgresham@wvcommerce.org
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- There’s no shortage of special homes and historic districts in the Mountain State. And this time of the year, many of the homeowners open their doors to visits that are curious about the history behind the doors. Pair a holiday home tour with a special stop at a state park or historic site that’s hosting Santa and you’ve got a day when everyone in the family can catch the holiday spirit.
Nov. 19 to Dec. 30
Adaland Mansion Christmas Celebration, Philippi
The Adaland Mansion is decorated for the holidays and offers a series of special
events and tours throughout the season. Nov. 19 the mansion hosts an old-fashioned
buffet and Dec. 17 will be the Christmas Buffet. Dec. 29 there will be children’s
tea and Dec. 30 will be a night tour and buffet dinner. For more information
about these and other events and admission costs, contact Ann Serafin at 304-457-1587
or Tammy Stemple at 304-457-3700 or www.Adaland.org
Nov. 24 to Dec. 23
Christmas at the Belle Boyd House, Martinsburg
The Berkeley County Historical Society invites visitors to celebrate the Christmas
season with beautiful decorations, lively entertainment and refreshments each
weekend through the holiday season. For information on the events of each
weekend, contact Berkeley Historical Society at 304-267-4713 or www.bchs.org.
Nov. 25
Holiday Historic Homes Tour, Fairmont
The Marion County Historical Society sponsors this once-a-year opportunity.
Travel at your own speed with the map you receive upon registering and visit
half a dozen Fairmont homes for the sights, sounds and smells of an old-fashioned
Christmas. For admission cost and more information, call the Marion County
Historical Society at 304-367-5398.
Dec. 1
Marlinton Christmas Celebration, Marlinton
This celebration is complete with a Christmas parade, arts and crafts at the
Opera House, tree lighting and an open house at the Railroad Depot. Find out
more about times for the events by contacting the Pocahontas Convention and
Visitors Bureau at 800-336-7009 or www.pocahontascountywv.com.
Dec. 1 and 2
Feast of Sankt Nickolaus, Helvetia
The Helvetia Swiss Mountain Retreat at Grandpa John’s Hilltop Family Farm
hosts this weekend of Swiss traditions. Warm up with winter foods and hot
beverages on Friday evening. Saturday morning, watch Zurich-born Peter Shaeffer
make traditional Swiss holiday cookies and sweets, then learn how to make
a special children’s favorite, Gitttibaenz. Saturday night, swing your partner
at the Helvetia First Saturday of the Month Square Dance. For information
about admission and reservations, contact Sandy Burky at 304-924-5503 or sandyburky@msn.com
Dec. 2
St. Albans Christmas Historic Homes Tour
Historic homes in St. Albans will be featured on this evening tour that begins
at 7 p.m. at the St. Albans Historical Society Building, 404 Fourth Avenue,
beside the C&) Depot. Sponsored by the St. Albans Historical Society,
the cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for students. Tickets, brochures and a
map for the driving tour will be available beginning at 6 p.m. that evening.
Contact Neil Richardson at 304-727-5972 or e-mail stalbanshistory1@aol.com.
Old Fashioned Beverly Christmas,
Beverly
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy old-fashioned fun and Christmas cheer in this
historic town. There will be caroling and entertainment at some of the town’s
historic sites and specialty shops. And, St. Nick will visit the town! Contact
Chelly Depp at 304-637-7424 or www.historicbeverly.org.
Dec. 2 and 3
Victorian Homes Christmas Tour and Tea, Parkersburg.
Visitors will enjoy the tours of the decorated historic homes in the city’s
Julia-Ann Square Historic District. On Saturday, homeowners in period attire
will guide the tour, which end with a lavish Victorian Tea at 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
and 7 p.m. and admission is $15. On Sunday, the tours are self-guided from
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and there is no tea; admission is $10. All proceeds are used
for lighting and other improvements in the historic district. Contact Norm
and Lillian McCrary at 304-422-2687 or www.juliannsq.org
Dec. 3
Woman’s Club of Fairmont English High Tea and Clubhouse Tour, Fairmont
For the eleventh year, the Women’s Club opens its doors to visitors for a
tour of the National Historic Register building and a delightful afternoon
tea. The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. and cost is $10 per person. Contact June
Conaway at 304-366-2127.
Dec. 9
Bramwell Christmas Tour of Homes, Bramwell
Step back in time and recapture the gilded age when you tour the homes in
historic Bramwell. The Millionaires’ Town in West Virginia’s southern coal
fields. Vast the inside of homes built by wealthy coal mine owners at the
turn of the nineteenth century. Admission- $10 per person. For more information,
contact Betty Goins at 304-248-8381 or Mercer County Convention and Visitors
Bureau at 800-221-3206.
Lunch with Father Christmas, Blennerhassett
Island, Parkersburg
Father Christmas invites you to join him for a special Victorian-style luncheon
and celebration. The afternoon includes a puppet show, Christmas sing-along,
train display, make-and-take crafts and lunch. For times and admission costs,
contact Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park at 304-420-4800.
Dec. 10
Holly Days in Vienna Home Tour, Vienna
Homes in Vienna are decorated for the holidays and refreshments will be served
during the tour that will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person. For
information about the tour and to get tickets contact Joanne Janettos at 304-295-5824.
Dec. 16
Breakfast with Santa – North Bend State Park, Cairo
Santa will be stopping at North Bend for breakfast on his way back to the
North Pole. And, since he wants to find out what everyone wants for Christmas,
he’s pleased to have breakfast with some who are finishing their lists a little
late. Contact activities coordinator at 304-643-2931 or www.morthbendsp.com
for times and prices.
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West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303
304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com