The East Row Historic Foundation celebrates its Eleventh Annual Victorian Christmas Tour on Dec. 1-2, 2001, in Newport, Kentucky. The tour runs from 1-7 p.m. each day in the East Row Historic District, the second largest local historic district in Kentucky. Newport was founded in 1795.
During the Victorian Christmas Tour, as visitors walk through the neighborhood, they will view seven historic homes decorated for the holidays. The homes reflect Victorian style architecture, specifically Queen Anne and Italianate styles. Besides elegantly appointed interiors including reproduction wallpapers, the homes also feature such ornate architectural details as artistic stained glass windows, patterned masonry, and carved stone ornamentation.
Many homeowners and greeters will be dressed in costumes echoing the late 19th century. Musicians will play in many of the homes. On Saturday evening, Dec. 1, dozens of luminaries will be lit along the sidewalks.Free horse-drawn carriage rides through the neighborhood will be available from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.
Besides seven historic homes, the tour will present internationally themed holiday table settings inspired by the cultural heritage of East Row neighborhood residents, and the first open house of the historic Southgate Street School, the first African-American school in Kentucky.
During the Victorian Christmas Tour, as visitors walk through the neighborhood, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they will view seven historic homes decorated for the holidays. The homes reflect Victorian style architecture, specifically Queen Anne and Italianate styles. Besides elegantly appointed interiors including reproduction wallpapers, the homes also feature such ornate architectural details as artistic stained glass windows, patterned masonry, and carved stone ornamentation.
Two recently renovated homes, in particular, have special interest. An 1870s Italianate, which has never been open to the public, was recently filmed for Home & Garden Television’s “Restore America” series, which profiles architectural renovations throughout the country. The home, a former boardinghouse, was nicknamed the “Beverly Hills Barracks” during the time performers Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra stayed and dined there. The second home, the “Barney Kroger” House, is a Second Empire townhouse built around 1885 that was the home of Barney Kroger, founder of the Kroger Co., the grocery empire.
Throughout the tour, many homeowners and greeters will be dressed in costumes echoing the late 19th century and carolers will stroll through the neighborhood. At dusk on Saturday, dozens of luminaries will be lit along the sidewalks. There will be free horse-drawn carriage rides through the neighborhood from 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Among the other features:
A Christmas Store showcasing local artwork, antiques, holiday-inspired crafts, jewelry, and ornaments will be open at George Wiedemann Jr. Mansion, 401 Park Avenue, during the hours of the tour.
The holiday table settings will represent such countries as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Poland along with Appalachian and Native American cultures; it will be on display during tour hours in the Fellowship Hall of St. John’s United Church of Christ, 415 Park Ave., next door to Wiedemann Mansion.
The St. John’s Liturgical Arts Festival will be hosted by St. John’s, which was founded in 1847 by a group of German immigrants. The festival will continue through the weekend, featuring holiday musical concerts and work by local artists and the Liturgical Art Guild. There will also be a Candlelight Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at the church. (Tour guests will be admitted free.)
The Luminaria Lighting of Newport, 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Luminaries will be lit throughout the city of Newport.
The Kentucky Haus will feature on Sautrday, December 1 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Sharon Claypool publiser of "What's Cooking in Kentucky" & "What's Cooking for the Holidays" and Jim Claypool author of "The Tradition Continues The Story of Old Latonia and Turfway Racecourses" On Sunday, December 2 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Kentucky Haus will feature Earl Clark author of "The Green Line."
Trinity Baptist Church — 510 Park Avenue Built c. 1870, the Andrew’s mansion was converted to house the Trinity Baptist Church in 1949. Construction as recently completed uniting the old mansion and the 1966 anctuary building, providing handicap accessibility while attempting to be faithful to the design themes in our community.
The Masonic Lodge — Sixth & Park Avenue had its beginning in Newport in 1848. Its first residence was on Bellevue Street, moving to Monmouth Street, then York and finally building their current residence on Park and Sixth. This weekend they will be showcasing the York Rite Masons, Native American Dancers and Traditional Kimonos. Stop by and enjoy the holiday decor, refreshments and sounds of a harpist.
Also included on the tour are additional points of interest that reflect the history of the neighborhood. Among them:
• The Southgate Street School, the first African-American school in Kentucky funded by the General Assembly that was affiliated with the Freedmen’s Bureau, formed after the Civil War to assist freed slaves. Newport officials purchased the property in 1870; the school opened in 1873 and after the 1955-56 school year, prompted by federal desegregation, it was closed. The two-story brick structure, which is owned by a Newport masonic lodge group, is being restored by the Southgate Street School Alumni Association. Both floors will be open during the open house, called “Christmas Under Construction” since the school is in the early stages of restoration.
• First Presbyterian Church, a high Victorian Gothic structure built in 1893 that features a functionable Koehnkent Grimm tracker type organ; it was converted into two condominium units in 1993 and 1994;
• St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, an 1897 Victorian Gothic structure.
Tickets, which are $10 per person, may be purchased at George Wiedemann Jr. Mansion (Map to Wiedeman Mansion) during tour hours. Proceeds from the tour will go toward Echo, a soup kitchen located at Henry Hosea House in Newport, and community projects. For further information, contact the Victorian Christmas Tour voice mail line at 513-588-4600.
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