EVERY YEAR, organizations and homeowners across Hampton Roads, northeastern North Carolina and the Eastern Shore open their doors for holiday tours of their festively decorated halls. Get in the spirit: Take in a tour - or two - this year. Here's a list to get you started. - Victoria Hecht, Gracious Living editor
TODAY, DEC. 3
Christmas in the Country, Virginia Beach
Who Cape Henry Woman's Club for educational scholarships and other charitable causes
Time 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets $5; available at the door
Details Members of the Cape Henry Woman's Club will lavishly decorate with fresh greenery and holiday finery the home of Chris Ollice and his wife, Jenny Reed, at 2804 West Point Court in Chesopian Colony Estates. The house is on the Lynnhaven River. Cookies and cider will be served, and handmade items and baked goods will be sold. A raffle for a $500 gift certificate from Dillard's will be drawn at the closing hour.
Info 427-0400 or 464-2696
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Candlelight Christmas Tour, Murfreesboro, N.C.
Who Murfreesboro Historical Association
Time 4 to 8:30 p.m. both days
Tickets $30, or $10 for those 12 and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance; contact 252-398-5922 or mha@murfreesboronc.org for a registration form. The deadline is Monday.
Details Progressive dinner with stops at 13 historically significant structures in Murfreesboro's National Register Historic District. Musical entertainment at each site, and horse-drawn carriage and tram rides offered.
Info 252-398-5922 or mha@murfreesboronc.org
SATURDAY
Vintage Homes of Olde Towne Holiday Tour, Portsmouth
Who Olde Towne Foundation
Time 1 to 7 p.m.
Tickets $20; available in advance from the Portsmouth Visitors Center at North Street Landing, The Coffee Shoppe, Little Shoppes on High and Way Back Yonder Antiques; tickets also will be available the day of the tour at each featured home.
Details Olde Towne Portsmouth has the largest concentration of 18th, 19th and early 20th century homes between Olde Towne Alexandria and Charleston, S.C. Homes will be dressed in their period finest, and hosts and hostesses will offer historical anecdotes. Featured homes are: 334 Middle St., circa 1855; 370 Court St., circa 1906; 300 Court St., circa 1900; 445 Dinwiddie St., circa 1873; 215 Glasgow St., circa 1785; and 424 Washington St., circa 1898. Refreshments will be served at St. John's Episcopal Church, 424 Washington St.
Info 943-8088
Virginia Beach Holiday Historic Homes Tour sponsored by the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission
Where Featured structures are the Adam Keeling House, 3157 Adam Keeling Road; Briarwood, 1500 Southwick Road; Broad Bay Manor, 1710 Dey Cove Drive; the Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.; Kenstock, 2416 Kenstock Drive; and Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Road. All will be decorated for the holidays with natural materials, some cut from the respective properties, by members of the Council of Garden Clubs.
When Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Cost Tour tickets are $25. Advance tickets are available at the Francis Land House, the Adam Thoroughgood House and the Lynnhaven House. Purchase tickets online at www.virginiaaquarium.com. Tickets are available but limited, so advance purchase is encouraged.
Info 363-1310; if the tour is not sold out prior to tour day, tickets will be available at Eastern Shore Chapel
Other info Refreshments and restrooms will be available at Eastern Shore Chapel. No cameras or use of cell phones inside the buildings. Wear flat walking shoes.
Directions From Norfolk and Chesapeake, take Interstate 64 to Interstate 264 East. Follow Exit 20, Laskin Road. Take the first left after exiting, and make a U-turn onto the access road that runs parallel to Laskin Road. Eastern Shore Chapel is on the right.
Parking and transportation Parking is limited at the historic homes. Free trolley service departs from Eastern Shore Chapel at regular intervals.
Related story Discreet Tudor Revival retreat now on historic home tour
SATURDAY AND DEC. 8
"Between the River and the Creek" Candlelight Tour, Suffolk
Who Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society
Time Both days: 1 to 5 p.m. for the Cornell home (Eagle Point Farm), the Willis Home (Town Point Farm) and the Northey home, and 1 to 4 p.m. for the Obici House
Tickets $20 in advance or $25 on tour day; available at the Suffolk Visitor Center, Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, A. Dodson's, 18th Century Merchant and Bennett's Creek Pharmacy
Details The Nansemond River, like the James, was a superhighway for the early English settlers. The land near the mouth of the river was the first of present-day Suffolk seen by John Smith in 1608 as he explored the island and looked for signs of the lost Roanoke Island colonists. Bennett's Creek and Bennett's Pasture Road are named for Richard Bennett, who came to the area in the 1620s. He was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1629 and was appointed to the Governor's Council (some claimed he was governor) in 1642. He received, over time, a large land grant from the king. All of the homes on this year's tour stand on what was once Richard Bennett's land. The Cornell home, also known as Eagle Point Farm, is at 5301 Bennett's Pasture Road and is owned by Dr. and Mrs. George Cornell. The Obici House, at 4700 Sleepy Hole Road, was once the home of Amedeo Obici, founder of Planters Peanuts, and his wife, Louise. The Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society is opening the Obici House as the city celebrates the 100th anniversary of Planters Peanuts being headquartered in Suffolk. The Willis Home, also known as Town Point Farm, is at 2527 Bridge Road. The Northey home is at 117 Riverside Drive in Bennett's Creek Landing and has amazing views of the Nansemond River.
Info 539-2781 or www.suffolkhistory.org
DEC. 8
Benefit House Tour at 202 38th St., Norfolk
Time 4 to 6 p.m.
Tickets Free, but donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are appreciated
Details Enjoy an evening of Southern hospitality and refreshments as you tour this 1913 home, yard and gardens. Every room, including the third-floor walk-up attic, is decorated with its own unique collections and theme. Explore the large landscaped yard, and vegetable garden and mini-farm. Warm yourself beside the outdoor fire, then venture inside the original carriage house and enjoy the hot chocolate bar.
Info David Oliver, 625-1373
DEC. 13 AND 14
Christmas Candlelight Tour, Edenton, N.C.
Who Edenton Historical Commission
Time 4 to 8 p.m. both days
Tickets $25 in advance and $30 on tour days; groups of 10 or more pay $20 per person in advance. Order tickets by mail or fax, or purchase them at Penelope Barker House, 505 S. Broad St., Edenton, N.C., 27932; fax, 252-482-2065; phone, 252-482-7800. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
Details The tour features the 1802 James Iredell Jr. Law Office, the 1895 Elliott-Sitterson House, the 1820 Skinner-Paxton House, the 1810 Beverly Hall, the 1855 Carriage House and the 1780s Bennett-Dixon House - as well as Edenton Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Edenton and the Penelope Barker House, home of the Edenton Historical Commission. Also, Penelope Barker House Holiday Repast, Cupola House Wassail Bowl, Supreme Court Justice James Iredell Sr. House Groaning Board and Confection Perfection treats, sweets and artistic creations, 1 to 5 p.m. both days; caroling in the 1767 Courthouse, 6 p.m. Dec. 13; Christmas parade, 11 a.m. Dec. 14; and Confederate Edenton Bell Battery Unit living-history program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14.
Info www.ehcnc.org or 252-482-7800
DEC. 14
Historic South Norfolk Christmas Home Tour, Chesapeake
Who Woman's Club of South Norfolk to benefit scholarships and other community services
Time 4 to 7 p.m.
Tickets $10; $5 for children younger than 12 when accompanied by an adult ticket holder
Details This is a self-paced walking and driving tour of private homes, businesses and a church. Start your tour by purchasing tickets at the door of South Norfolk Baptist Church, 1101 Chesapeake Ave.
Info Jackie Martin, 630-2133
Onancock Christmas Homes Tour and Music Festival, Onancock
Who Sponsored by the Onancock Business and Civic Association to benefit the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Friends of Onancock School
Time 2 to 6 p.m.
Tickets $20; available on tour day at Ker Place. A 10 percent discount is offered for groups of 10 or more.
Details Six historic homes, including: a 1902 Queen Anne-style Victorian, returned to a single-family residence from two apartments; a 1940 New York-style loft apartment created from two commercial spaces formerly used as warehouse storage, a church and an art studio; an elegant "Victorian Lady; a painstakingly restored 1940 Dutch Colonial; a four-square 1920 Victorian; and a large center-hall home built in 1925. The Music Festival will be held at Historic Cokesbury Church from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and will offer instrumental music and a gospel choir. As well as touring homes, ticket holders can tour the historic Ker Place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church and Onancock's new Harbormaster's building. All will be filled with lights, greenery and seasonal decorations. A free shuttle around town will be available.
Info www.onancock.org or 990-2042 or 787-4838
DEC. 15
Port Norfolk Holiday Historic Homes Tour
Who Port Norfolk Civic League
Time 3 to 7 p.m.
Tickets $10 in advance and $12 on tour day; available at Village Hair Designs and Pizza Box in Port Norfolk and Anderson Wright Garden Center in Olde Towne. Also, available on tour day only at Reflection Walk Park.
Details The featured houses are: 2801 Bayview Ave.; 151 Florida Ave; 204, 209, 257 and 546 Maryland Ave; and 344 Hamilton Ave. Also featured are Port Norfolk Baptist Church and The Gift Box Boutique at 2624 Detroit St. Additionally, the 2014 Port Norfolk Scenic Calendar may be purchased for $10 at Higgins Carriage House.
Info Tammy Lifsey, 434-9886 or www.portnorfolk.org