Tour of historic homes wows people from across region

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Area residents and people across the state got a glimpse of Christmas past during Saturday's tenth annual Victorian Christmas Celebration put on by Preservation Williamsport.

This year offered a unique blend of Victorian and historic Williamsport homes in both the Historic District and throughout downtown.

Volunteers dressed in period costumes and musical entertainment helped set the atmosphere the mansions as tourists made their way through the homes.

A new featured addition to this year's tour was the Culler House, 855 Vallamont Drive.

The brick and stucco home, built for his wife in the early 1900s by C. Luther Culler, is a brick and stucco home of Georgian architecture that has fourteen rooms and five bathrooms.

"It's a house many people are curious about," said volunteer Mindy Facey. "They are absolutely in awe."

Like several of the homes along the Victorian Christmas tours, the owner has reworked the house in an effort to restore it to its original look, with ornate fireplaces, paintings and antiques.

"I could move in tomorrow," said Eileen Wilson of Williamsport, adding that she came out in an interest to get a taste of the different houses.

According to Marcia Miele, owner of the Hiram Rhoads House, 522 W. Fourth St., many people came from areas around Harrisburg and Allentown.

Gwen and Mike DeHoll drove up from Allentown to take a glimpse of Williamsport's ornate past.

"We like the idea of the timing of (the events) right before Thanksgiving," Mike DeHoll said. "And it's nice getting ideas for our own home."

"We like the history of Williamsport," said Gwen DeHoll.

"It's been excellent," Miele said of the turnout. "(We've seen) about 500 people."

Many tourists walked through the homes wide-eyed at the expanse and elaborate work done to the homes.

Cris Gansell of Picture Rocks said she was "wowed."

Volunteers greeted tourists of the homes at the doorways, often in large, spacious foyers with elaborate woodwork, wallpapers and stairways belonging to a bygone era.

Some of the homes were decorated and finished to imitate a past image, while others were still under renovation for restoration.

"It's wonderful to see the restoring of these homes," said Doris Beam of Muncy.

For the Vanderlin House, 1322 Cherry St., its seemingly natural Arts-and-Crafts architecture and decoration gave a sense of warmth to first-time visitor Karen Bowman of Huntersville.

"I love the natural decoration of the house," Bowman said. "It's warm. I came out because I thought this would be fun, and it is."

The day also offered church tours in the downtown area, and other events, such as the Locomotive Races and the 18th annual Toy Train Expo at Park Place, 800 W. Fourth Street and carriage rides throughout the day.

"I think it's really important for people to understand the historical aspects of the community," said Facey. "This is one way to do that."