Category: Holiday House Tour

35 West Piccadilly Street
George Reed House
Home of the Rev. and Mrs. Dan McCoig
John Barker and Emily Skiles, House Chairs
Pat Jackson, Decorator

The “Rev.” George Reed House was built circa 1787. Reed, born in Sligo, Ireland, immigrated to Winchester in 1787 where he established himself as a coppersmith, and later served as mayor of Winchester and high sheriff of Frederick County. The main wing is a solid example of a late-Georgian/ early American stone house. The main wing has two rooms on the first floor, two rooms on the second floor, and two dormer rooms on the third floor. The west and south wings, both of which are two stories, are brick and were completed before 1810. Nearly all of the architectural woodwork is original. Especially notable are the mantles in the east and west front parlors, the central stairwell, and the original back door. Over its 200-plus year history, the house has been a boarding house, an art gallery, a business office, and a bank. The McCoigs restored the home to a private residence in 2008, receiving a PHW Award of Merit for their efforts in 2009.

311 Fairmont Avenue
Fair Mount
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Helm
Bruce Downing, House Chair
Brookie Phillips, Decorator

Large boxwoods guide visitors up the slate walkway to one of Winchester’s earliest houses. Constructed in the first decade of the 1800s, this house is an excellent example of a transitional Georgian-style to Federal-style dwelling. Fair Mount was built for Joseph Tidball by a local carpenter named Lewis Barnett. The two-story white stucco main structure is flanked by one and one half story service wings which were added shortly after the central portion was built. The graceful interior woodwork illustrates the influence of national tastes on local builders. The first-floor plan is comprised of four rooms with a lateral stair in the main hall, which is in contrast to the highly formal and sophisticated five-bay Georgian-style façade. Although the house was remodeled in 1929 using the Colonial Revival style, it has retained many of its original features and has great integrity. Fair Mount is known in recent times as the birthplace Preservation of Historic Winchester. The home was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2003 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

209 North Washington Street
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Rich Rizzetta
Mark Lore, House Chair
MaryDale Jackson and Sandy Lore, Decorators

One of Winchester’s delightful vernacular Italianate style homes welcomes all visitors to its Tuscan columned wrap-around porch and beckons all to enter through its front paneled door lit by sidelights and a three-pane transom. This two and a half story, eaves-front structure built c.1875 and covered in shiplap siding, has its seam metal gable roof supported by the characteristic bracketed cornice of the Italianate style. Two-over-two sash windows on the second story also exhibit the decorative woodwork of this style with carved lintels. A two-story ell extends the house into the well manicured backyard.

101 North Washington Street
The Long House
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rockwood
Mary Scully Riley, House Chair

Built around 1785 by Robert Long I, this frame house occupies the corner lot at North Washington and Amherst Streets. Sheathed in clapboards, many neighbors recall when it was covered in a 1920s pebbledash stucco. The Rockwoods received a PHW Award of Merit in 2007 after they removed the stucco to expose the original façade. A library has been added to the two-story ell on the north side. This vernacular Federal style home welcomes visitors through its multi-paned front door to the main hallway graced with a carved newel post, delicate stairway and carved plaster ceiling medallion. The Rockwoods’ home is furnished with art and collectibles from both sides of the family. The furnishings include several 1800s pieces.

The Holiday House Tour Preview Party will proceed tonight 6-9 PM, regardless of the snow. Please remember to dress for the weather and watch your step! As a reminder, ticket holders for the Preview Party may also use their tickets to visit the houses on Sunday during the Daylight Tour.

Time is ticking away — but you can still purchase your advance tickets at any of the ticket sale locations. We hope to see you on West Clifford Street this weekend!

PHW is pleased to announce the houses for the 2009 Holiday House Tour, Clifford Street: Aglow for the Holidays.