LIVERPOOL - For the 20th year in a row, six homes decorated for Christmas will be open for public viewing in Liverpool and the surrounding area.
Over the past two decades, over a hundred homes have been featured in this fundraiser for Privateer Days, says event Brian Fralic, executive director and organizer of the house tour.
Fralic, an interior designer by trade, says he starts asking in the middle of summer if people will be part of the house tour, and usually does so through personal contacts. Many of the home owners are his previous clients.
This year’s list includes a stunning beach home, an amazing ocean-side home, a country restored farm home, a newly renovated and beautiful Georgian in the heart of Liverpool that is one of the oldest homes in the original township, and one of the first houses featured in 1997. All these homes are completely different, says Fralic.
Fralic is most excited about the oldest home in Liverpool being on display this year.
“This home has been on my list for many years,” he says. “It is a charming home and people will appreciate the details that have been left.”
Jan and Garnett Winchester’s home on Church Street will be featured for the third time in 20 years. The house was on the original tour in 1997, on the 10th anniversary tour in 2007, and now again on the 20th anniversary.
“I have never missed a house tour and enjoyed thoroughly getting the house ready each time we were on,” says Jan.
She says their house has lots of oak trim, old hardwood floors and several mantles, along with fireplaces making it fun to decorate for Christmas.
Their main fun project, Jan says, is a wooden Christmas tree built by Garnett, where they display their village. This is their only Christmas tree, so she says it’s fun to rearrange all the houses each year.
The Winchester’s house was built in 1853 by the man who also built the court house next door.
Following the house tour, there will be a tea will be hosted by the Queens County Museum and will feature their Festival of Trees.
Tickets are $20 each and available at Lanes Privateer Inn starting Nov. 24. The event will be held Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/132429994123811/
