Christmas By Candlelight – Tour of Historic Homes
The Natchitoches Historic Foundation wants to get you in a festive mood and for a very important cause that will warm your heart as well as your hearth.
It is the annual Christmas by Candlelight, a holiday tour of uniquely decorated homes in the Natchitoches, Louisiana, area held this year on Dec. 5-15, 2012. The tour is held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Proceeds from the Tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.
The event, consisting of three separate tours will feature beautifully decorated homes. What makes Christmas by Candlelight so special and unique is that it consists of homes built last year as well as nearly 200 years ago. Experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event.
CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT
HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
Wednesday, December 5 and 12 – 5pm-8pm
Samuel Guy House – 309 rue Pine
Built in 1850 by Samuel Eldridge Guy the house remained in the Guy family for 150 years prior to being moved by its current owners from Mansfield to Natchitoches in 2002. The house operates as a bed and breakfast.
Nakatosh Condo – rue Church
Overlooking the City of Lights, the condos were created out of the old Nakatosh Hotel, circa early 1900s.
Prudhomme Rouquier House – 446 rue Jefferson
Built circa 1790s of bousillage construction. This Save Americas Treasures property underwent an extensive restoration by the members of the Service League of Natchitoches. The house is used for weddings and special events.
Friday, December 7– 5pm-8pm
Cypress Place – 146 rue Cypress
Built in 1908 this two-story Victorian home that features a raised porch, high ceilings and Victorian furnishings. The front parlor is original and includes wood walls and a patched wood ceiling. The parlor contains French and English antiques.
Levy-Sutton Home – 412 Williams Avenue
Built in 1927, this 3 story, 5 bedroom home on Cane River underwent extensive renovation to bring 21st century amenities and a custom climate-controlled wine cellar to the original architectural design.
Winbarg Cottage – 210 rue Jefferson
Located within National Landmark Historic District, this Mediterranean style stucco home was built around 1923 for E.B. Winbarg, a Natchitoches merchant, and was later owned by Alex E. Sompayrac, a prominent French farmer. This home has been completely renovated top to bottom into an updated home with original architectural features carefully preserved.
Friday, December 14 – 5pm-8pm
Chaplin House – 434 rue Second
A fine example of Victorian architecture circa 1892. Particularly interesting are the wide gallery, the original fan-shaped floor and the curved roof of the main entrance.
Cypress Place – 146 rue Cypress
Built in 1908 this two-story Victorian home that features a raised porch, high ceilings and Victorian furnishings. The front parlor is original and includes wood walls and a patched wood ceiling. The parlor contains French and English antiques.
Winbarg Cottage – 210 rue Jefferson
Located within National Landmark Historic District, this Mediterranean style stucco home was built around 1923 for E.B. Winbarg, a Natchitoches merchant, and was later owned by Alex E. Sompayrac, a prominent French farmer. This home has been completely renovated top to bottom into an updated home with original architectural features carefully preserved.
Saturday, December 8 and 15 – 1pm-4pm
Cunningham Law Office, Natchitoches Historic Foundation House – 550 rue Second
Built in 1860 by Henry Safford, this house has served as the law office for five generations of lawyers. Original virgin pine sills held together by wooden pegs can still be seen in the house. Also boasts unique twin chimneys. Serves as the office of the Historic Foundation.
Chez des Amis – 910 Washington Street
This 1923 Arts & Crafts bungalow is located one block from the downtown historic district. This house operates as a bed & breakfast.
Lemee House – 310 rue Jefferson
The Lemee House was constructed in 1837 by an Italian contractor, whose last name was Soldini. In 1849 it was sold to Alexis Lemee who housed not only his family but also the Union Bank of New Orleans. Today it is the headquarters for the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.
Tickets:
$15 per package
$25 for a two-tour package
Three-tour packages are $35
Group rates are also available
Advance tickets can be purchased at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission Office, located at 780 Front Street, Suite 100, Natchitoches, La., 71457 or call 1-800-259-1714.
Tickets will also be available at each tour site the day of the event.