The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce will come home for the holidays again this year with its third annual Holiday Home Tour. Now a holiday tradition in Farmville, the 2018 event set for Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes seven Farmville homes, Longwood University’s Rotunda and the Centra Hospitality House.
“I love the Holiday House Tour because it shows off our community at its best,” Chamber Executive Director Joy Stump said. “The Christmas tour shows our hospitality, beautiful neighborhoods, gorgeous homes and holiday spirit.”
An added attraction this year is a pre-tour benefit dinner hosted by Harlan Horton at Hotel Weyanoke’s Campagna Restaurant on Friday, Dec. 7. Tickets for the dinner, available for 6 or 8 p.m. seatings, are $65 and include a ticket for the home tour the following day.
“We’re excited to have Hotel Weyanoke as a partner this year because they are such a beautiful new addition to our community,” Stump added. “The benefit dinner the night before the tour will just set the mood for everyone to have a fun and fabulous weekend.”
While the tour is a fundraiser for the Chamber, a local nonprofit will also receive a donation.
“A portion of the proceeds this year will be donated to Piedmont Senior Resources (PSR) to help them continue the wonderful services they offer to those in need in our area,” Stump noted. “The Chamber loves to give back to members whenever we do a fundraising event, and PSR has been a wonderful partner organization.”
Homeowners for this year’s tour include Chuck and Faye Green, Jon and Donna Van Cleave, Emily Pilk, Charles and Margaret Lindsay, Sherry Swinson, Chuck and Candy Dowdy and Rob and Tory Wade.
A variety of architectural styles will be represented on the tour.
The historic home of Jon and Donna Van Cleave was built in 1898. The centerpiece of the historic home is the entrance hall’s custom circular floating staircase. The home underwent a major renovation in the 1950s by noted Richmond architect Clarence Huff and landscape architect Charles Gillette. Recently another major renovation opened the floor plan and modernized the kitchen and bathrooms.
The two-story Victorian home of Chuck and Candy Dowdy was built in 1902. The historic house features an original double front door and transom windows. Much of the hand-carved oak woodwork and heart pine wood floors are still in place. Christmas decorations will favor the traditional and will include family collections of angels and Santa Claus.
The First Avenue home of Chuck and Faye Green is a Sears and Roebuck Craftsman house built in the 1920s by John and Nora Lancaster. Materials, that included everything from structural beams and oak and pine flooring to bathtub, kitchen cabinets and light fixtures, were delivered by railcar to the Farmville Train Station. The home is currently furnished with a combination of family heirlooms, thrift store treasures and newer acquisitions.
The two-story Georgian brick home of Rob and Tory Wade was built in 1935. The Wades are the second owners of the home that includes a butler’s pantry and downstairs fireplace. Christmas decorations will feature family ornaments collected over the years and holiday greenery.
The home of Emily Pilk is a Cape Cod cottage built in 1941 on The Avenues. The three-bedroom house was remodeled a few years ago. Greenery, ribbons and holiday flowers will offer a warm welcome during the Holiday Home Tour.
Sherry Swinson’s brick rancher was built in 1954. “Mrs. Johns who built the house at the age of 75 was from Buckingham, so the house includes a lot of Buckingham slate,” Swinson noted. Christmas decorations will be traditional with live greens. “I love the smell of Christmas,” Swinson added.
The Southern Colonial Natchez-style home of Charles and Margaret Lindsay was built in 1993. “Since my husband is in the wood business, the home has a lot of woodwork and crown molding,” Margaret said. Decorations will include items collected over the years and greenery.
“The home tour really sets the tone for the whole holiday season,” the Chamber’s executive director concluded. “I schedule this event between Thanksgiving and Christmas so people can come and shop, stay overnight, and see all that Farmville has to offer!”
Tickets are available at the Farmville Chamber office or at www.farmvilleareachamber.org