PARKERSBURG - More than 300 people traveled through the Julia-Ann Square Historic District this weekend to see five historic homes decorated for the upcoming holiday season during the annual Victorian Christmas Home Tour and Tea.
"This year's tour has been wonderful," said home owner and district member Judy Smith. "We were so busy (Saturday) we ran out of food at the tea and that has never happened."
This was the 13th year for the two-day tour, which includes a sit-down tea with desserts from area restaurants on Saturday along with guided tours and costumed home owners. The second day includes self-guided tours of the homes on Sunday.
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Photo by Jolene Craig
Judy Smith, owner of 1024 Juliana St., dressed for the holidays on Sunday during the second day of the annual Julia-Ann Square Historic District Victorian Christmas Home Tour.
"The Sunday tours are more calm and relaxed and allow people to tour the homes at their own pace while Saturday is more structured," said Smith, who along with her husband Norman, owns the Caswell-Smith House at 1024 Juliana St. "We try to make the tour enjoyable for everyone who wants to join us."
Each of the five houses in the tour were decorated for the Christmas holiday season with garlands, wreaths and trees inside and out.
"I decided to go with a Parkersburg High School theme this year to celebrate my 50th class reunion," Smith said. "So, every room is decorated in red and white and I think it's great, I might do it again."
A group of family members from around the Mid-Ohio Valley took this year's Sunday tour and said they do it every year.
"It's fun to see the houses and it kind of helps us get in the mood for the holidays," said Laura Hogue of Washington, W.Va., who toured the historic homes with family members Whitney Ball of Parkersburg, Karen Pugh of Little Hocking and Betty Varney of Belpre.
"This is just something we try to do every year because we can get together and see some great homes," Varney said. "It's just something different and fun."
Rick and Ruami Dyck have had the Nelly-Dyck Home at 1024 Ann St. in the home tour three times in the past decade they have lived in the district.
"We are very happy to help support the district because, we believe, it is important to keep the history of the neighborhood and the city going," said Ruami Dyck.
This year's tour also featured the Blevins House at 944 Juliana St., the PeterkinDeKlavon House at 1203 Ann St. and the Garland House at 924 Ann St.
Each year different homes within the district are featured on the tour. All of the proceeds from the tour go to improvements to the historic district.
