The Governor Wolf Historical Society will open six private historic homes and four early buildings for the 38th Annual Christmas House Tour on Saturday, December 1. The homes will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “Keep a Candle in the Window,” a German custom that welcomed travelers. The Home News will feature one of the homes each week until tour day.
This 1761 log house lies just north of Nazareth. When the owners purchased it, the kitchen was just a slate sink in the corner. After removing a small porch, they added a large kitchen wing with cathedral ceiling using salvaged barn beams. The center island is topped with the old slate sink and a working water pump hooked to a spring in the basement. The corner has an antique porcelain stove framed by brick. The cabinets are made from old wood from the interior of the cabin and are hung with iron rattail hinges.
Originally when you entered the house you would have found yourself in the kitchen, which ran the length of the house. Today, none of the interior walls remain. The “great room” has beautiful exposed log walls. The reversed central brick fireplace faces the major portion of the room instead of the previous narrow kitchen.
Punched copper in the eaves of the dormers and in the cantilevered pediment over the side door can be seen. The owners created the stained glass for the heightened front door. The owners also added a studio featuring cathedral ceiling, skylights, beamed ceiling and a huge stone fireplace.
On the same day, the Annual Historic Christmas Family Day will fill the campus from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The museum hosts an exhibit of early lighting with expert Wayne Lauciusto. Historic craftsmen will demonstrate, the 153 Civil War Coddington Reenactors will be encamped. Taste and watch hearth cooking, spinning and weaving, iron crafts, early powder horns and flintlocks, and more. Pony rides, arts and crafts for children. Make this a yearly family destination. No parking or admission fee. A free-will donation may be dropped into our “Preservation Jars,” if you wish. The Daily Grind in the Schoolhouse Café will offer food to take with you on the tour, or to enjoy there. There will also be quality crafters selling their wares and fresh greens for sale. In addition to selling fresh wreaths and swags this year the historical society will be holding a Fresh Wreath Making Class- Monday, November 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Complete a large fresh wreath with a bow of your choice for $25. Sign-up by calling 610-837-7078 and leaving a message, or while visiting the campus.
On Saturday, Nov. 10 the ticket books will go on sale – $25 advance and $30 day of tour. Booklets will be sold at S Seem Antiques on Chestnut St in Bath, Miller Ace Hardware on RT 329, Curt’s Cyclery in Nazareth, Bath Drug on RT 512 and Snow Goose Gallery at 470 Main St, Bethlehem.
