Friday Roundup: Harvest at the Hexagon and Bough & Dough Shop Artists

We’re excited to bring back a classic PHW event of yesteryear in a new format! Visit the PHW Office at 530 Amherst St. Friday afternoons in October to join or renew your membership and receive a thank you gift for free! Items include pins, small posters, books, and more—while supplies last!

Our first Friday event will also feature the public launch party of “More Doors of Winchester” poster sales. Stop by to pick up your copy for $15 plus tax. The photographers will be on hand if you’d like your copy signed!

Mark your calendars for October 6, October 13, October 20, and October 27 between 4-6 PM at the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St. for four afternoons of fall fun!


We are also pleased to announce our selection of artists for the 2023 Bough & Dough Shop:

  • Angel’s Roost Quilts
  • Blooming Hill Lavender Farm and Gift Shop
  • Nina Burke
  • Lorraine Candell
  • Capers in Crochet
  • The Card Shop Bakers
  • 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
  • Very Merry Mittens
  • Waterlilly

The Shop this year will be held Wednesdays-Sundays at the Hexagon House, November 17-December 10, 10 AM-5 PM. To coincide with some other holiday events happening in Winchester, the Bough & Dough Shop is rolling with a theme of an old fashioned general store this year. We hope to have fantastic products as well as a fun visual experience for shoppers. We’re also excited to test out our Laidlaw Amphitheater space for our greenery and wreath sales – hopefully there will be a little less bending down to pick your boughs this year. Look for more information as we move into November!

Friday Roundup: Blight and Bough & Dough Shop Updates

411 S. Loudoun‘s demolition request to the BAR was concluded yesterday, after the brief hiatus in August for a status report with the court. While a potential buyer was interested in purchasing and rehabbing the property, the owners were unwilling to entertain the idea of a sale. Given the very unusual nature of this request, the BAR members voted to abstain from ruling on this demolition, as no alternate path could be found. Both the 514-520 S. Loudoun townhouses and 411 S. Loudoun will likely be demolished before the end of this year.

Discussion after the meeting included the situation at 137 S. Loudoun, which is also a blighted structure. BAR members are concerned about a potential loss of another salvageable building. In this case, the current owner is willing to sell, the property is listed for sale, and much site plan work has already been completed and a facade restoration plan was previously approved at BAR (which will transfer to a new owner). We will encourage our readership who may be interested in rehabbing a building to investigate this structure.


We would also like to extend our thanks to the artists who have applied to the Bough & Dough Shop. We plan to send out the acceptance letters with individualized recommendations for products starting Tuesday, Sept. 12 – if you applied but don’t hear from us by email on Friday, Sept. 15, please reach out to us at phwinc.org@gmail.com.

For our usual shoppers, it looks like we will have a good mix of new and returning artists. We’re looking forward to sharing our artist lineup in next Friday’s dispatch!

Friday Roundup: Town Talk Edition

PHW hit the road this week and visited Mike McCool in Front Royal for Town Talk!

Decades of Dedication: How Preservation Historic Winchester is Saving the City’s Architectural Legacy.

In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool, speaks with Sandra Bosley, Executive Director of Preservation Historic Winchester, and delves into Winchester’s heritage conservation efforts.

Winchester has a long-standing history of beautiful homes and landmarks, reflecting the rich tapestry of its past. In the face of modernization, one organization has remained vigilant, ensuring that the city’s historic heartbeat continues to thrive.

See Royal Examiner Town Talk.


Apply for the Bough & Dough Shop 2023 by September 1!

Today also marks the final week before PHW closes our artist applications for the Bough & Dough Shop 2023. If you’ve been hesitating, don’t wait any longer! Download the informational packet to learn more, and fill out the application on the last page. It’s free to apply, and we would love to find new artisan talent to showcase in this year’s event. Return your applications by end of day Friday, Sept. 1 either to the Hexagon House at 530 Amherst St., Winchester, VA 22601, or by email to phwinc.org@gmail.com.

Friday Roundup: Yard Crawl Weekend and Upcoming August Events

Tomorrow is the annual Route 11 Yard Crawl! If you are selling or participating, we wish you good luck and many happy finds. If you’ve never participated in the Yard Crawl, the official event spans 43 miles between Stephens City and New Market. While most of the event takes place outside PHW’s stated area of influence, it’s still a good excuse to visit the four major Frederick County sites – the New Town Commons and the the Family Drive-In at Stephens City, and Laurel Ridge Community College and Cedar Creek Battlefield Museum and Visitors Center in Middletown. Check out the event at their webpage.


Don’t feel like leaving Winchester? The next Behind the Scenes Tour at Handley Library is also taking place Saturday, 11 AM. Meet at the Lower Level of the Handley Library. The tour will take you behind the scenes to all floors of the building. Come learn about the architecture and history. Walk on the famous glass floors and peer down the well built into the stage. Tours are free and open to the public!


Are you an artist or know someone who is? Are you curious about the Bough & Dough Shop that takes place at the Hexagon House in November and December? Have you always wondered how we find new artists? Our August Open House is one of the ways! Visit us next Saturday, August 19, between 10 AM to noon at the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St. in Winchester, to learn about the Shop, see the space, and grab an artist application. PHW representatives will be on hand to answer questions on logistics and processes, and it’s a great time for new artists to bring sample items to show us in person. You can also download the informational packet and application in advance from our website. If you’re considering joining the Shop, don’t delay – we’re closing applications for 2023 on September 1!


Mark your calendars for Hungry for History: Basic Preservation and Canning on Thursday, August 31, 5:30 – 7:00 PM at the Handley Library, Robinson Auditorium. This program is an introduction to food preservation. Guests will learn a little history and science behind safe food preservation, as well as learning about the five main ways we preserve foods today: boiling water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting. You will leave with introductory knowledge of food preservation and a few helpful handouts. This event will be presented by Hannah Copp, Family and Consumer Services Associate Extension Agent focusing on food, nutrition, and health, Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Friday Roundup: Preservation News and Holiday Shop Updates

Please note PHW cannot retrieve voicemail at the moment due to some technical glitches outside our control. Please utilize phwinc.org@gmail.com for questions. Thank you!


Preservation News: An application for the total demolition (instead of just demolition of the rear) of 411 S. Loudoun St. was held at Thursday’s BAR meeting. Many of the BAR members expressed concern about approving the demolition of the building’s front portion when rehabilitation of that portion is feasible. As such, the board tabled the decision until the second meeting in August to see if a buyer can be found. As you may know, 411 S. Loudoun was initially hoped to be purchased by family members of the original owner/builder of the property for rehabilitation, but the sale fell through. The abatement time frame is relatively short – work would have to be complete in July 2024. If you have interest in this property, drop us a note at phwinc.org@gmail.com and we can get you in touch with the correct people to inquire about this property.

A revision of the brick piers and gate at 119 S. Washington St. was also heard and approved at Thursday’s BAR meeting. The approved piers for this application are stated to be square and of a height and width in keeping with similar gate piers in the area. We know this still may not appease everyone, but we hope this change will be less visually jarring to the streetscape than the large round piers.


Calling Local Artists! Do you make items suitable for holiday gift-giving? PHW is now accepting applications for the Bough & Dough Shop 2023. We are once again planning to set up at the Hexagon House, Nov. 17-Dec. 10, Wed.-Sun. This year we are capping the number of vendors at 30 maximum and we are asking for a bit more back end help for your inventory sheets if you have various price points, but otherwise most information will be the same – PHW handles the manning the shop, setting up and stocking displays, sales – all you have to do as an artist is drop off your items before the event. If you are interested, download the informational packet now!

We are also hosting an open house event again for new artists to see the space and get an idea of what to expect. The Hexagon House will be open Saturday, August 19, 10 AM-Noon for anyone interested. We will have artist applications on hand, and if you are a new artist you may bring physical items as part of your application.


Doors of Winchester Poster: To finish off our week at PHW, we are pleased to announce we are nearing completion of a “Doors of Winchester” poster, which we should have available for purchase at the Bough & Dough Shop in 2023. Earlier this year, when discussing possible items for publication the idea of a reprint of this popular poster was floated by the PHW Board. We tracked down the original artists and received their blessing to proceed with a spiritual successor, using new photographs but following their same guiding principles.

The sequel will be a standard poster size of 18″x24″, containing 36 doors on a black background. Some doors are the same from the original, but some are new for this edition. We plan to keep them reasonably priced, probably about $15 plus tax. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, drop us a note at phwinc.org@gmail.com.

More Doors of Historic Winchester, coming this holiday season to PHW!

Last Weekend for the Bough & Dough Shop

It is that time of year when we wind down our holiday activities. This weekend is the last opportunity to shop at the Hexagon House for the 2022 season. If you are planning on doing some last minute shopping for something you’ve been thinking about, your best chances are today (Friday, Dec. 9) or Saturday (Dec. 10) as artists will start picking up around noon on Sunday.

Several artists have placed discounts on their items, including woodworking by Dave Hickman, weaving by Clara Schulte, scarves by Donna Sheets, and crocheted ornaments by Hilda Troxell (discount applied at checkout).

We still have some freshly cut greens from our last greens donation, including holly with berries, some boxwood, magnolia, and blue spruce. Greens are priced by the bag (bring your own gloves if needed!)

Thanks to everyone for your interest this year, and next week we hope to have a better picture of House Tour and the Shop to share with you.

Holiday House Tour 2022 – Bough & Dough Shop

The Hexagon House, 530 Amherst Street, site of the Bough & Dough Shop

At the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst Street
November 18-December 11
10 AM –5 PM
Open Wednesdays-Sundays. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thanksgiving. See our listing on Virginia.org for full list of dates.

Please wear a face mask while shopping indoors.

Do some holiday shopping while picking up your Holiday House Tour tickets at the Hexagon House. The shop features décor, ornaments, sweet treats, small gift items, and fresh greens for holiday decorating. The Shop will once again encompass all of the first floor of the historic Hexagon House with fresh greenery outside on the rear porch and yard. Browse the selections from over twenty-five local artisans and non-profits. The shop is constantly replenished with items, so watch our Shop-specific Instagram @boughanddoughshop for new arrivals and updates throughout the event!

Featured Vendors: Angel’s Roost Quilts, Basket Cases, Blooming Hill Lavender Farm and Gift Shop, Nina Burke, Lorraine Candell, Capers in Crochet, The Card Shop Bakers, The Clowser Foundation, CLS Cloth, George Davis, Eye of the Needle Embroidery, Fripperies, Hailewatercolors, Heartsong Hill Designs, Dave Hickman, J&W Farm, Karen’s Kollection, Susan Keenan, Lighthouse Woodworking, The Merry Beader, Libba Pendleton, The Primitive Peddler, Ree’s Treats, Mike Robinson, Donna Sheets, Doris Vanderpool, Very Merry Mittens, and Virginia Pottery

Other Information: The Shop may close for inclement weather; in general if Winchester City Schools are closed, the Shop also will not open. Watch our Facebook page or call 540-667-3577 for inclement weather announcements.

PHW is grateful for the support of the Bank of Clarke County Foundation, our second generous sponsor of the Holiday House Tour.

Sneak Peek: Bough & Dough Artists for 2022

PHW is proud to announce the lineup for this year’s Bough & Dough Shop (Nov. 18-Dec. 11) at the Hexagon House. Here’s what you can expect this year:

Ornament by Margie Cullers, the Primitive Peddler

Nina Burke, gourd art

Lorraine Candell, holiday decor and party favor treats

Tracy Carbaugh, The Card Shop Bakers, cookies, notecards, ornaments, and cross stitch

The Clowser Foundation

Margie Cullers, The Primitive Peddler, ornaments made from antique butter and Springerle molds

George Davis, reclaimed wood tables

Ornament by Dave Hickman

Melanie Fields, The Merry Beader

Linda Spollen Haile Watercolors notecards

Dave Hickman, turned wood items and ornaments

J&W Farm, birdseed wreaths

Susan Keenan, mosaic ornaments and jewelry

Beth Light, Eye of the Needle Embroidery

Ron Light, Lighthouse Woodworking

Weaving detail by Clara Schulte, CLS Cloth

Karen Miller, Karen’s Kollection

Annamarie Mrazik, Ree’s Treats

Jamie Pein, Fripperies

Libba Pendleton, felted items

Deborah Phillips, Heartsong Hill Designs, sea glass art and jewelry

Preservation of Historic Winchester: Holiday House Tour tickets, fresh greens, books, and bows

Cyndie Rinek, Blooming Hill Lavender Farm

Snowflake ornaments by Hilda Troxel, Capers in Crochet

Mike Robinson, Winchester Tales books

Clara Schulte, CLS Cloth

Donna Sheets, jams

Carol Spalding, Angel’s Roost Quilts

Virginia Stultz and Jean Whetzel, baskets

Hilda Troxel, Capers in Crochet, crocheted ornaments

Doris Vanderpool, shell ornaments

Steve Wilson, Virginia Pottery

Kathy Yereb, Very Merry Mittens

Need to plan your visit this fall? See our listing at Virginia.org or on Facebook for days and times.

Friday Roundup: Bough & Dough Shop Call for Artists

We hope you enjoyed the offerings of last week while the PHW office was on vacation. We spent our week off doing proper preservation things, like scraping and painting wood porch elements. We are now ready to start the second half of the year here at PHW, which will culminate with the Bough & Dough Shop and Holiday House Tour.

To get prepared for the Shop, we are bringing back our Bough & Dough Shop Open House and Call for Artists on Saturday, August 20, 10 AM – 1 PM. The informational open house for the 46th annual Bough & Dough Shop will be held on the first floor of the Hexagon House, 530 Amherst St.

The boutique holiday pop-up shop will be held Nov. 18-Dec. 11, 2022 to support the organization’s fundraising for local preservation projects. PHW is seeking new artists crafting unique handmade items and holiday décor to expand the shop’s offerings for 2022. We invite anyone interested in applying to stop by to see the space in person and find out more about the event. Prospective artists are encouraged to bring portfolios or example pieces for the jury process. Application forms will be available at the event. You can also find the informational sheet and application on our website in advance.

45th Holiday House Tour: Shop and Ticket Sales Begin

Tickets officially go on sale today for the 45th Holiday House Tour – and our Bough & Dough Shop opens at 10 AM! Adult tickets are $20, children ages 12-6 are $6, and children under 6 are free.

You can pick up Holiday House Tour tickets, along with PHW memberships (including a free copy of Winchester: Limestone, Sycamores & Architecture, valued at $25) at the Bough & Dough Shop at 530 Amherst Street. Remember to get your renewals in to PHW by the end of this year if you would like to take advantage of the free book offer!

You may also wish to visit Kimberly’s, Winchester Book Gallery, or the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center for your Holiday House Tour tickets.

Prefer to shop online? Ticket sales are open on Eventbrite for the Holiday House Tour – remember to grab your online tickets before noon on December 5 when the online sales end!

PHW is grateful for the support of Lisa T. McCoig, one of our full page advertising sponsors of the Holiday House Tour.