Holiday House Tours
Join us for Preservation of Historic Winchester’s Annual Holiday House Tours!
The Daylight Tour is the main attraction of the Holiday House Tour weekend, drawing crowds of up to 500 visitors. The tour is a staple of Winchester holiday traditions – the first tour was held in 1975.
This year, we partnered with the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society to present the Holiday House Tour Through the Centuries, visiting homes constructed in each epoch of Winchester’s architectural history from its founding in 1744 until the modern day, to commemorate Winchester’s 275th birthday. See more 275th events here!
Houses:
226 Amherst Street, The Daniel Morgan House (c. 1786)
421 West Clifford Street (c. 1895)
512 Courtfield Avenue (c. 1932)
163 Academy Lane (c. 2006)
Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Holiday House Tour Tickets go on sale in mid November at The Final Yard, Kimberly’s, Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center (1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd), and the Bough & Dough Shop at the Hexagon House. Preview Party tickets may only be reserved at the PHW Office or the Bough and Dough Shop.
More Information: www.phwi.org
Merrimint in Middletown
Come one, come All! Tour Historic Middletown, Virginia at this FREE Holiday event! Activities will take place at several venues in Middletown.
Hoffman House (7827 Main Street)
Tour the Hoffman House, , decorated in 1800’s holiday style. There will be hot cocoa and cookies. Kids can make and take free sparkly Santa Slime!
Wayside Inn (7783 Main Street)
Visit Father Christmas at The Wayside Inn. There will be caroling and storytelling by a cozy fire, face painting, and free tea and scones.
Aunt Caroline’s Cabin (corner of 1st and Church Streets)
Visit Middletown’s historic district. Tour and hear the story of Aunt Caroline’s log cabin on the corner of 1st and Church. They will be providing hot cider and donuts.
St. Thomas Chapel (7854 Church Street)
At Historic St. Thomas Chapel the dulcimer group “Heartstrings” will perform at 2pm.
Mount Olive Baptist Church (1893 Senseney Road)
“A JESUS Merrimint” – from 1-2:30pm
• “A Christ Mas “Praise & Praise” singing.
• “A Youthful Blessing”; in one or more of the following: (Wearing Costumes of That Season of Long Ago, Dance, Dramatic Reading and Song).
• “Our Nativity Barn” with the “The Star of Shining Wonder” atop it, … and Straw Bales (for sitting inside “Our Nativity Barn” to take pictures for your Christmas Cards this year, with your own camera / phone.
• “A Tasty Fellowship” ; (A Cup of Soup and a Cup of Cider or a Cup of Cocoa).
Belle Grove Plantation (336 Belle Grove Road)
Nearby Belle Grove Plantation‘s historic Manor House presents “All Creatures Great and Small.” Enjoy the tour. The winter kitchen & gift shop are open to everyone. (A small fee to tour upstairs.)
Please come enjoy all the free activities. For more information call Tess Klimm 540-247-2211
Candlelight Tours and Open House
Abram’s Delight, the oldest house in Winchester, built in 1754, is decorated with holiday floral arrangements by local garden clubs. There will living history in the 1780s log cabin.
Friday, December 6:
6-8pm
Saturday, December 7:
3-7pm
Admission is Free!
Holiday Tours
For the 2019 holiday season, Belle Grove Plantation will feature decorations in each room of the historic Manor House. In addition to the centerpiece 12-foot tree in the Parlor, area Garden Clubs will adorn each room with natural decorations celebrating the theme of “All Creatures Great and Small.”
Belle Grove will be open for touring December 6 – December 30, 2019 with the following schedule:
Guided Tours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last tour 3:15 p.m.) and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. (last tour 4:15 p.m.)
Christmas by Candlelight (self-guided tours and live music): Friday and Saturdays 4-8 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
When your tour concludes, we invite you to enjoy warm spiced tea and cookies in the cozy historic kitchen. Don’t forget a visit to the Museum Shop for unique and locally made gifts!
2019 Live Music Schedule
Friday, December 6, 6-8 p.m, Allen Dec, Happy Harper
Saturday, December 7, 6-8 p.m., Soprano Deborah Balcom
Friday, December 13, 6-8 p.m., Sweet Grass, Traditional Carols
Saturday, December 14, 6-8 p.m., Sweet Grass, Traditional Carols
Friday, December 20, 6-8 p.m., Winchester Celtic Circle
Saturday, December 21, 6-8 p.m., Flutist Elizabeth Dalton & Guitarist Jason Perry
Friday, December 27, 6-8 p.m., John Tole, Evergreen Shade, Period Music
Saturday, December 28, 6-8 p.m., Winchester Celtic Circle
Pricing:
Belle Grove Member FREE with card
Adults $12.00
National Park Service Pass $11.00
Senior Citizens (60 and over) $11.00
AAA Member $11.00 with card
Military $11.00 with ID
Students (6-16 years) $6.00
NTHP Member $6.00 with card
Children 5 and younger Free
Call (540) 869-2028 for more information.
Plaid Friday Walking Tour
Looking for a fun activity to do with visiting relatives over the Thanksgiving holiday? This special Winchester history tour has a unique holiday spin!
Learn about local traditions and hear stories about Christmases past. Meet in front of the Kurtz Building (2 N. Cameron Street) on the corner of Cameron Street and Boscawen Street.
Fee: $10. Kids 12 and under are free.
Please reserve in advance by calling (540) 542-1326.