Last Call! Grant Applications Due Wednesday

The deadline for the first round of PHW Micro Grants is coming up next Wednesday, January 31! If you’ve been procrastinating, this is your last weekend to get your application together for the first round. Remember to include supporting documents, like drawings, material specifications, estimates from contractors, and images of current conditions, just like you would for an application to the Board of Architectural Review.

If you are not quite ready yet to apply, keep an eye out for the second round, which will be set for May 31, 2024.

History Events This Weekend!

Get ready for an exploration of Winchester’s streets and alleys on Saturday, January 20! Tim Youmans, planning director for the City of Winchester, will discuss the years of research he conducted discerning the origin of the streets and alleys that are currently within the corporate limits of the City of Winchester in his recently published book. The event will take place 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM at the Handley Regional Library Robinson Auditorium, 100 W. Piccadilly St.

Learn more at Handley Regional Library or visitwinchesterva.com!


Looking for something to do on Sunday, January 21? The Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society will be hosting an open house at 415 N. Braddock St. in honor of the 200th anniversary of Stonewall Jackson’s birth. The event will feature free admission for tours of the house museum between noon – 4:00 PM.

Learn more on Facebook or visitwinchesterva.com!

Friday Roundup: Potential Text Amendments to Article 14

At the Planning Commission on January 16, a motion to initiate text amendments to Article 14, which governs the Historic District and Board of Architectural Review have been proposed. You may wish to check out the proposed amendments online. While this is not a public meeting, you may still wish to offer your thoughts on the text amendments to the Planning Commission.

PHW is generally in favor of attempting to procure alternate members for the Board of Architectural Review. Some of the other minor text adjustments are not concerning. We are, however, concerned that the proposal currently for 14-10-.3 has struck the need for City Council and BAR members to consult prior to an appeal.

The reasoning for the removal of this sentence was stated that during the last several appeals, the consultation has been different each time. PHW would urge that instead of removing this consultation process, a procedure can be codified to make the process consistent. Matters that come before the BAR are often specialized knowledge, so we feel it is helpful to have this process in place so City Council members can understand how decisions were reached from the BAR side. There is certainly other language that could be nitpicked, but this was of immediate concern.

If you have comments on this amendment, you may share them with the Planning Department ahead of the meeting on Tuesday, or keep an eye out for future developments.

Friday Roundup: Preservation News Bites

Unfortunately 2024 started off with bad news for preservationists. The house at 411 S. Loudoun St. that was part of the blight proceedings was demolished on January 2. We extend our thanks to members Linda Ross and Lynn Brenneman who kept us informed of the proceeding on Tuesday afternoon. We extend our condolences to the Collins family at the loss of their family home.

After demolition at 411 S. Loudoun. Photo provided by Lynn Brenneman.

If your building is starting to fall into disrepair in the Historic District, PHW may be able to help before it gets to this point. Check out our grant page and see if you and your building qualifies! Our first deadline for submission is approaching on January 31.

You may also want to check the National Trust for preservation grant opportunities. They are currently accepting applications for the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s National Grant Program. These grants are designed to support capital projects, organizational capacity building, project planning, and programming and interpretation activities at historic sites of African American history across the country. Applications are due February 1.

You may also want to register for a free webinar Previewing the 2024 General Assembly Session from Preservation Virginia for Monday, January 8, 10 AM. Join Preservation Virginia’s public policy team for a preview of the legislative and budget items we anticipate in this year’s General Assembly session. Julie Langan, Director of the Department of Historic Resources, will also share the latest about the updated economic impact study on the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. This program is free but registration is required – register here.

Merry Christmas from PHW

Many thanks to Bob Snyder for sending his yearly holiday postcard to PHW. This year, the artwork by Rick Geary features Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters. The building, located at 415 North Braddock St. in Winchester, is the best example of residential Gothic Revival-style architecture in the Historic District. Built in 1854 by William McPherson Fuller and sold in 1856 to Lewis T. Moore, the house was originally known as Alta Vista. Its use as Jackson’s military headquarters in the winter of 1861-1862 has forever linked the property with the story of the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley. The property was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1967. Today, the building is operated as a museum by the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society, open daily April 1 – October 31.

Friday Roundup: End of Year Notes

We are almost at the end of 2023, when we take a small break at the PHW office. Here are a few quick notes as we get ready to wrap up 2023:

If you are hoping to snag a “More Doors of Winchester” poster or another PHW-produced item for a last-minute gift, you can order through our online store. Enter the promo code “curbside” to receive free shipping to pick up at our office, 530 Amherst St.

As a friendly reminder, we are about one month out from our first Micro Grant program application deadline on January 31, 2024. Grants are aimed for owners in residence or nonprofits in Winchester’s Historic District who need help with exterior repairs and maintenance. You can learn more and find the application form at our website.

Last night, PHW’s Executive Director Sandra Bosley joined Maral Kalbian, Becky Ebert, and Cissy Shull for a panel discussion “Guardians of the History” in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Handley High School. The event was recorded for those who were not able to attend. Keep an eye on the OneHandley website for when the video goes live. We had a great time and enjoyed revisiting our time at Handley and how that shaped our history careers.

Last Weekend for the Bough & Dough Shop

Our favorite tree from this year’s Shop is decorated with ornaments from Ornamentally Creative, Mark Chambers, Lighthouse Woodworking, and Very Merry Mittens. Additional decor on the mantel is Libba Pendleton and Dave Hickman.

Thank you all for coming out to the 47th Holiday House Tour last weekend. It was a magical day, even though the weather did not fully cooperate with us. From our rough numbers, it looks like over 340 people braved the damp and overcast to visit our winter village. We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted!

This also means we’re in our final weekend of the Shop. We are open 10 AM – 5 PM this Friday-Sunday on the first floor of the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St. While some artists have sold out or picked up items, we still have plenty of goodies to choose from, including fabulous one of a kind handmade ornaments, many types of wood products, holiday decor and wall art, and tasty treats for a quick pick me up.

If you were contemplating an item earlier but had not purchased it, now’s the last chance to stop in and snag them before the Shop closes for another year on December 10. Our current sale offers are:

  • 10% off all Gustafson Glass products
  • 10% off necklaces and bracelets by The Merry Beader
  • Any remaining tables from George Davis will go on sale Saturday
  • Remaining greens in the Laidlaw Amphitheater are set your own price and wreath prices are negotiable

We hope if you’re checking out the winter village downtown this weekend, you’ll also stop by our outpost!

Holiday House Tour 2023: Last Notes!

The House Tour is almost here! We hope you will be able to join us on Sunday, December 3 to kick off the holiday season. Our final notes for the event are as follows:

Tickets will be available at the advance sale price of $25/person at the Bough & Dough Shop until the tour begins at noon on December 3, at which time they will roll over to the $30/person at the door price. The Shop is able to process credit/debit cards. If you are coming in from out of town for the tour to get tickets, we recommend starting with the Shop to get your tickets and program booklets before heading to the tour sites.

Tickets will be available at the door of 21 S. Loudoun, 613 S. Loudoun, 101 N. Washington, and 400 S. Washington from noon-4 PM. Payments at the door of these four sites is cash or check only. Exact change preferred!

A limited amount of off-street parking is available behind 21 S. Loudoun, accessed from Indian Alley. There are also several City-owned surface lots close to the Loudoun Street Mall. All parking meters and City-owned surface lots are free to park during the weekend.

A representative will be available for building tours at Vibrissa starting about 4 PM. Be sure to come with your House Tour ticket!

Checkout at the Bough & Dough Shop is slightly different this year, so please be patient if you have a large order or the Shop is busy. If you know you’ll be purchasing a large number of items, please feel free to leave your items at the checkout table so we can get started on the order processing while you continue to shop.

The weather for Sunday is looking to be a mild mid-50 degree day, but there are chances of showers in the afternoon. We don’t anticipate much disruption to the tour, so dress for the weather, grab an umbrella, and enjoy!

Holiday House Tour Tickets are available for purchase now at Kimberly’s and the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center. Tickets are also available at the Bough & Dough Shop, open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 AM-5 PM at the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St.

Holiday House Tour 2023: Special Thanks!

The Holiday House Tour is largely a volunteer effort. In addition to the financial support we receive from our advertising sponsors whose ads are found throughout this booklet, PHW is also indebted to the support of:

Homeowners Tom and Lucy Rockwood, Lindsay Browning and Jayden Sibert, Bryan and Christa Lewis, and Harrison & Johnston, PLC
Special partnership location Vibrissa Beer & Kitchen
House chairmen Bruce Downing, Ben Ford, Ted Kalbach, Anne G. Scully, and Anne Walker Schroth
Advance ticket sale locations Kimberly’s and the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center
Bough & Dough Shop artists Angel’s Roost Quilts, Blooming Hill Lavender Farm and Gift Shop, Nina Burke Gourds, Lorraine Candell, Capers in Crochet, The Card Shop Bakers, Mark Chambers, George Davis, Double D’s Bees, Eye of the Needle Embroidery, Gustafson Glass, Hailewatercolors, Heathen Works, Dave Hickman, J&W Farm, Susan Keenan, Lighthouse Woodworking, The Merry Beader, Ornamentally Creative, Libba Pendleton, Katie Pifer, Ree’s Treats, Very Merry Mittens, Waterlilly Pottery
Bough & Dough Shop co-chairmen Sandra Bosley and Ricky Alvarez
In-kind donors of bags, packing materials, and fresh greenery for the Bough & Dough Shop
Volunteer docents, decorators, and door greeters for each tour location

And visitors like you!

Holiday House Tour Tickets are available for purchase now at Kimberly’s and the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center. Tickets are also available at the Bough & Dough Shop, open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 AM-5 PM at the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St.