Re-print of Home Tour
from Astoria Magazine
December 2006
One of the best things to do around Christmas is to go on 'A Christmas Homes Tour' usually arranged by and for a local charity to raise funds.
You pick your route, plan your day, with stops and treats along the way. Some tours provide homes to look and walk through, others also provide refreshments and lunches. Here are some pictures of a great home tour last Christmas that will help you get in the mood for this year's festive season and also bring back memories.
This home tour was sponsored by the Whitby History Museum & Children's Centre , a great downtown museum in the Heart of Whitby.
The Whitby History Museum is open all year round and provides hands on historical children's activities as well as a Traveling Museum that goes to schools. Museum volunteers and staff put on activities and events throughout the year, it's a wonderful place to visit.
Astoria Magazine hopes you enjoy this mini home tour, from the comfort of sitting at your computer at home or work.
Decorations at Betty's Home
Everyone in Whitby looks forward each year to the lawn displays at Betty's, Whitby's very own 'Mrs. Christmas'! Betty's home is the first stop on any home tour planned in Whitby, every room is full of Christmas ! This Christmas, three different groups of seniors are coming for a tour, with tea at The Whitby History Museum afterwards.
A Home at Whitby Shores, by Lake Ontario
Then there are the huge Nutcracker Sentinels in a home behind gold trimmed and wreathed doors at a home in Whitby Shores.
Magical Christmas Trees decorated according to theme were displayed in each home. Many decorations and trees were provided by the museum which added an historical touch to these homes on the tour, while others had a modern appeal. Visitors loved the displays and many went home with ideas for their own homes.
Home Tour goers were invited to stop by Wimpy's Diner on Brock Street north in the Heart of Whitby for a repast of fries and burgers. Always a great place to call in for lunch.
Burr Lodge
The two trees at Old Burr Lodge in Whitby were breathtaking, photographs hardly do them justice. The magic of a real tree is its presence, putting forth an aura, as if knowing its proud purpose, sending out awe inspiring waves ! The angel dressed in purple velvet with scarlet crystals and gold trim must be a family treasure, bringing the blessings of Christmas through the years.
This tree was a decorated with traditional gingerbread, candy canes baubles of all kinds and a large golden ribbon encircling it from top to bottom. The Little Bugle Boy Tree was decorated with toy drums, little brass bugles, blue jays, and red cardinals.
The family at Burr Lodge graciously posed in front of their special tree, mom ...was busy greeting more visitors, offering refreshments, we moms all know how that is... This picture shows how tall the tree really was though.
Endless Ideas in Brooklin, located in historic Grass House, invited people in to see a preview of all their latest designs. Grass House is located across the way from Grass Park in mid Brooklin, a quaint town just north of Whitby that boasts both history and a fast growing modern section. Chock full of new ideas for home decor on two floors, Endless Ideas, makes great use of the its' old fashioned home to display comfortable home fashions.
There to greet visitors was Marissa Graham, owner and her many dedicated design staff. Tucked away in the upstairs master bedroom display was the little blue tree, provided by The Museum, all lit and sparkling. There was an inviting restful attitude, you just wanted to curl up right there.
An old fashioned sleigh graced the verandah with huge wrapped presents. Though wrapped in old-tyme newsprint paper, they caught your eye as you left for the next home on the tour.
Lynde House at Cullen Gardens.
Many area families have visited Cullen Gardens for years with their children to see the lights on the trees and walk through the miniature village. Since it closed its doors for the last time after December 2005, this Christmas,(2006) will be the first in 25, where some families won't be celebrating at least some of their Christmas at Cullen Gardens.
Lynde House, one of the oldest in Whitby is located on this site and was the former home of The Whitby Historical Society, when the house was in its original place on Dundas Street West in Whitby.
The Society was very happy to have the opportunity to show Lynde House on its 2005 Home Tour especially since Cullen Gardens closed its doors for the last time shortly afterwards.
Here are a few pictures of Christmas displays that were open during the House Tour last year. The welcoming committee for the day were volunteer students from Henry Street High School in Whitby, pictured below.
"Now stockings all hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
"To everyone a Merry Christmas ... and to all a good night."
Pictures are of details on walls based on original wall painting found in Lynde House. The Old Canada map and the b&w print were also there, interesting, it is not known if they are original. The needlework framed above is apparently original.
Jane Snyder of Snyder Construction hosted an afternoon tea of freshly baked Christmas goodies, at her home as well as decorating her home and a special tree for the tour. The tea raised additional funds that day in addition to tickets sold for the tour itself, for the Whitby History Museum. Jane, who is finalizing a Degree in Nutrition, made sure there were some healthy treats on hand as well as the some of the more 'sinful' variety ! Included in the modest ticket price of $15.00 was a chance to win Esmeralda the large faux cat that graced the museum window displays.
Jane and her husband Frank are very interested in preserving historic buildings in the area and promote sound construction techniques that assure buildings are enjoyed for many years.
The Christmas Trees in Jane's home were both real trees, and the fresh scent of evergreen as well as home baking was very inviting indeed. A gracious hostess, Jane opened her home for all the volunteers who manned the homes and directed people throughout the day to come and enjoy more treats and share stories of a successful Home Tour later that evening.
Snyder Construction is located in Brooklin, Ontario where one of the longest running Spring Country Fairs take place each year.