A magnificently renovated home, once owned by a Wiedemann Brewing magnate, and a distinctive condominium in a Gothic Revival church are only two of the memorable homes on the 16th Annual Victorian Christmas Tour. The tour, which runs from noon – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, is presented by Newport’s East Row Historic Neighborhood. The East Row Historic District is the second largest district in Kentucky and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The tour will showcase seven private historic homes — six of which have
never opened to the public — and the beautifully restored Gen. James Taylor
Mansion, originally built in 1815. The mansion, a Greek Revival style that now
houses the law firm of Gerner & Kearns Co., was totally restored in 2005
by Dave and Maureen Gerner. The mansion features massive mahogany doors and
silver-plated hardware from Cincinnati-based Eagle Ironworks throughout, elegant
double parlors with original Rococo plasterwork and a spectacular mahogany and
cherry semicircular staircase.
After touring the mansion, which is also the site for ticket sales, visitors can walk through the homes, which reflect Queen Anne, French chateau, Gothic Revival and Italianate architecture styles. Interior features include original staircases, fireplace mantles and woodwork. While garlands and greenery are hardly needed for the homes, which were selected for their distinctive interiors and exteriors and historic design, the residences and mansion will be decorated in their holiday finery. Besides holiday décor, visitors will see newly renovated kitchens, master suites, bathrooms, a sun porch and other areas.
Among the highlights:
• An 1883 four-story Italianate home, originally built for Charles Wiedemann, the son of George Wiedemann Brewing Co founder George Wiedemann Sr. The property has undergone extensive interior renovations since 2003 when the current homeowners purchased it. Formerly divided into nine apartments, the 6,000-square-foot home was returned to a single-family dwelling, with the owners ripping out apartment walls, all the bathrooms and kitchens, and removing the seven-foot dropped ceilings, which hid 12-foot ceilings that were decorated with remnants of ornate plasterwork, which craftsmen restored.
• With its exterior freshly painted in five historic shades, a circa 1891 Queen Anne features original plaster ceiling medallions, an ornately carved staircase (a reproduction of the original), a new screened-in porch and a kitchen designed by the owner with custom cabinets, honed Carerra marble countertops and a hexagon tile floor.
• The tour’s first “Historic Home-in-Progress,” meant to give visitors a first-hand look at the restoration process, is a circa 1895 Queen Anne undergoing a total restoration from a two-family to a single family home. Currently, the homeowners are working on the second and third floors, which feature unique, identical front and rear staircases, four original mantels and period light fixtures, including an original gaslight fixture. The home will also be on the 2010 tour so visitors can see the completed restoration.
• A condominium — one of two in an 1893 Gothic Revival church, originally The First Presbyterian Church — that is designed around the original stained glass windows and a Koehnkent Grimm pipe organ.
• When the current owners purchased the circa 1877 Newport-plan Italianate (characterized by a side porch), the home was fully renovated and featured such original amenities as six stained glass windows, six hand-painted fireplace mantles and an ornate wood staircase, which was restored after the parts were found in the basement. Today, the owner, an interior designer, has added eclectic furnishings, floor-to-ceiling window treatments, Asian and African accents and artwork.
• A circa 1896 French chateau-style home, the only one of that style in the East Row Historic District, was renovated into a single-family residence by the current owners. On the first floor, most interior walls were removed to create open living and dining rooms, and a large gourmet kitchen. The third floor “feels” like a tree house, with its wall of glass overlooking the Ohio River and the “Big Mac” bridge.
• A condominium in The Hannaford, which was built in 1902 and served as a Catholic all-girls school from 1934 to 1983. The Beaux Arts-style structure was designed by noted architect Samuel Hannaford. (Hannaford also designed Cincinnati’s City Hall and Music Hall.)
For the convenience of visitors, a shuttle will make periodic stops along the route during tour hours. Restrooms will also be available. While the East Row Historic District may be easily maneuvered by wheelchairs, the homes on the tour are not handicapped accessible.
Tour tickets are $18 per person will be available at the James Taylor Mansion, 335 E. Third St., during tour hours. Advanced tickets are $15 each and may be purchased online (PURCHASE TICKETS) or at Kentucky Haus, 411 E. 10th St. Children age 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
A portion of tour proceeds will go to St. Paul’s Food Pantry, operated by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport. St. Paul’s Food Pantry serves an average of 200 families per month in Newport and Bellevue.
Other events:
A Victorian Christmas Tea: A traditional savory-sweet English
tea will be served, including tea sandwiches, scones (with clotted cream and
jam) assorted cakes, tarts and cookies. The tea has two seatings – one
at 1:30 p.m. and the other at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 5-6, both
days of the tour) and takes place in a circa 1875 Newport home. Tickets are
$20 and may be purchased at the James Taylor Mansion. Advanced tickets are $18
and are available online (PURCHASE
TICKETS) or at Kentucky Haus, 411 E. 10th St. Tickets are $15 for
children 12 and under. Special guest, Dolley Madison, will appear in costume
to entertain guests.
St. John’s Holiday Music: Two short holiday music programs
on Saturday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 415 Park Ave., (in
the East Row neighborhood). The Friendship Singers, a women’s vocal group,
will offer carols of the holiday season at 2 p.m. The St. John’s Chancel
Ringers will present holiday music at 4 p.m. There will also be Choral Music
or Chancel Ringers on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.. Free to the public.
Directions to the James Taylor Mansion: From I-471: Take Exit 4 West (KY 1120
-10th Street). Continue West to Washington Ave. Turn right on Washington Ave.,
Right on 5th St., Left on Overton St., and continue 2 blocks to 3rd Street.
The Mansion is located at 335 East Third Street. (Map
to the Taylor Mansion)
Visitors may park at Riverfront Place parking lot located at Dave Cowens Drive
and Park Avenue for $5 for the day. Free parking is also available at the lot
at the southeast corner of Fifth Street and Washington Avenue and also at St.
John’s United Church of Christ parking lot at Fourth Street and Park Avenue.
