Category: Holiday House Tour

As you approach the front door of this brick Romanesque Revival style home, look down. A white marble slab engraved with “J. B. Russell” welcomes you to this circa 1890 masterpiece. By the time James B. Russell built his magnificent home on the corner of Washington and Cork streets, he had served as a Frederick County deputy sheriff, a Winchester City councilman, businessman, and President of the Union Bank.

The first story of the façade is defined by three round-headed arches providing a recessed entry to the home. A soldier course of bricks delineates the first and second stories of the building, while a basketweave brick frieze encircles the top of the second story. An integral porch supported by Tuscan columns and capped with dentil molding is located in the central bay of the second story. Directly above it, a dormer clad with slate shingles with a half-hexagonal-on-hip roof overlooks the front yard.

Recently purchased by Jennifer Wolgamott, the home survived a period of use as apartments remarkably intact. The interior features pocket doors, oak wainscoting, period fireplace mantels, and stained glass windows.

This vernacular brick building was likely built circa 1850 by Philip Hansucker, who apprenticed wagonmaking with Philip Sherer of nearby 125 E. Clifford St. The families became intertwined further when Hansucker married Caroline Sherer, Philip Sherer’s niece, on Christmas Day, 1849. By 1860, Philip Hansucker took on Sherer’s wagon and plough making business and brought his brother into the enterprise as a blacksmith. He served as a Winchester city councilman from 1861-1865. Shortly after the Civil War, the Hansucker family moved to Millwood.

As is common with vernacular buildings, the home was expanded throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in architecturally compatible ways by its new owners, particularly through adding dormer windows, additions to the rear of the building, and a Colonial Revival style porch with a half-hipped roof supported by Tuscan wood columns.

Initial work to preserve the building was undertaken circa 1974 by Lawrence and Catherine Bell, including restoring the wide pine flooring and opening fireplaces. The home received a Winchester Historic Building Plaque in 1984. The current owner has been working for two years to use her interior design skills to bring new life to this old home. Her eclectic collection includes found objects and antiques, beautifully repurposed to blend with elements of modern décor. Christmas tree ornaments honor the owner’s favorite southern traditions, and garlands of fresh greenery adorn old pine mantels. Visitors will see the old outbuildings in the back yard, likely used in the wagonmaking business.

Preservation of Historic Winchester welcomes you back to our 46th annual signature fundraising event. Guided tours of three private homes will lead you through building styles of the 19th century, while the fourth site will take you to a Georgian-style church. Stop by our pop-up holiday shop for sweet treats, holiday décor, and fresh greenery before or after the tour. You don’t want to miss our year-end celebration – Owl Be There!

Owls may not be a traditional Christmas bird, but they are a recurring winter motif. According to Iroquois tradition, hearing the call of an owl nearby was a sign snow was on the way. Since the non-migratory birds may be easier to spot in the winter, owls and chilly weather have become deeply associated with each other. The owl was chosen as our 2022 mascot for his symbolic associations with wisdom, protection, and winter.

Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: Noon-4 PM

Tour Sites:

119 East Clifford Street
202 South Washington Street
216 South Cameron Street
306 East Piccadilly Street

Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Ticket Sale Locations: Kimberly’s, Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center, The Bough & Dough Shop at the Hexagon House (starting Nov. 18), and online through Eventbrite (starting Nov. 15).

Other Information: The tour will not be rescheduled for inclement weather. Call (540) 667-3577 or watch our Facebook for announcements. Be prepared to spend some time waiting outside and wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. No photography inside private residences, please!

Free parking is available at nearby surface lots and on-street. Please be mindful of residents’ driveways when utilizing on-street parking. City autoparks are self-service and open 24 hours a day. Rates at Braddock, Court Square, and George Washington Autoparks are $1.00/hour. Loudoun Autopark is $0.50/hour.