MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Nan Young, left, and Gloria Miele will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Victorian Christmas with a toast from silver goblets in front of the Herdic House. Twenty-five years ago, the two were photographed in the same clothes at the same place for the first Victorian Christmas.

The past will come to life as Preservation Williamsport hosts the 25th anniversary of Victorian Christmas, bringing their Eras Tour – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, to the city Nov. 22 through Nov. 24.

“What started as an idea developed into this truly remarkable event, and it’s because the community accepted it and they supported it,” said Nan Young, who sits on the Preservation Williamsport Committee.

Victorian Christmas was the brainchild of Young, Gloria Miele and Ted Lyons, the latter of whom has since passed away.

The goal was to educate people on the city’s rich Victorian architecture by way of touring houses built during the period.

“We now have an all volunteer committee of 20-some people who meet all year long to make it happen,” Young said, adding that each member represents a different facet of the tour.

Over the years, the event has seen many themes, including the Underground Railroad and focusing on different countries, of which Scotland was among Young’s favorites.

The annual tour of historic churches was not part of the original event.

“We also did not do churches in the beginning, and then they joined. We have so many magnificent churches and stained glass windows. How could you be more pleased than to see all the artistry getting the attention it deserves,” Young said.

Seeing the revitalization of the historic homes is especially touching to Young, who sits on the city’s Architectural Review Board.

“At one point they were all rental houses with leaking roofs and messy yards, and now the district is so much better because of all of our efforts,” Young said.

Those efforts led to the homes being featured in Victorian Homes Magazine in 2005, according to Young.

Along the way, several smaller, independent events converged, creating the Victorian Christmas known today, including the toy train expo held at the Thomas T. Taber Museum and the Artisans Mart, which Young said continues to grow in size each year.

All the hard work has resulted in an ever growing attendance, which sees people from all across the state and from as far away as New York and Virgin visiting taking part in the festivities.

“I remember having a fur muff packed with tickets, and we didn’t even have a ticket booth then. We just sold the tickets at the houses or elsewhere along the street,” Young explained.

“We sold out, and we were so encouraged by the support, but we had around 100 or so attendees,” she continued, noting that attendance in 2023 was around 1,700.

The influx of those attending has also caused a reshaping of its demographics.

“When it started, it was more women. Now there are men, too, because of the crafts and seeing these wonderful houses. It’s interesting to them too, and some of them bring their children,” Young said.

Saturday’s tour will feature eight historic homes, four in the district and four in Valmont, as well as a number of churches.

The Hartshorn, 419 W. Fourth St., will feature as a new addition to the tour, where a special rendition of Wagner’s Sigfried Idyll will be performed from the home’s staircase by a troupe of 13 local professional musicians throughout the day.

The Hartshorn House was built in the 1860’s, the exterior was later covered up with brick, which has been removed as part of a restoration project begun by owner, Gloria Miele, in 2015.

Whereas last year’s historic talk focused on the architecture of the era, “Petticoats to Pillboxes” will be the theme of the discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Community Theatre League, 100 W. Third St. With live models donning authentic costumes, the talk will be a reflection of the ever-evolving fashion styles of the area from the earliest settlers through the 1960s.

For Young, the transformation from a simple homes tour to all that Victorian Christmas encompasses today has been nothing short of incredible.

“Truthfully, I feel tremendous pride that it has turned from a dream into reality,” she said, summarizing the continuing growth of a passion project started so many years by three friends at a local bar.

For pricing, a full listing of the three day festival’s events and Victorian Christmas’ “Williamsport Holiday Tradition” video, visit www.victorianchristmaspa.com or facebook.com/victorianchristmaswilliamsport.