Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2022 UCW 13 Historic homes open for Christmas tours by ASHLEY SHIRLEY ere's nothing quite so pleasing as a home fully decked out for the holidays. e image of twinkling lights, boughs of holly draped over the door, and wreaths of evergreen hung neatly in the window has become synonymous with the season. While mechanical reindeer and light-up Santas are a fun take on front yard decor, there's a little bit of magic in stepping back in time to see houses over a century old, decorated as they once might have been. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, the Heritage Square Historical Society is back and once again ready to share its much beloved Christmas Tour of Homes for 2022. A major fundraising event for the Heritage Square Historical Society, A Christmas Tour of Homes, has been held on the first Sunday in December for the past 25 years. is year it will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can take a fascinating self-guided tour of five historic homes in the Haymount area of Fayetteville and see them outfitted in classic holiday regalia. As with every year, the Historical Society will open the doors to the Sandford House to greet guests and officially start the tour. Once inside, guests can marvel at the classic Georgian archi- tecture outfitted in beautiful holiday decor and enjoy some light refreshments. Sandford House, the two-story, federal-style crown jewel of Heritage Square, was built in 1797 by one of the first ruling elders of First Presbyte- rian Church, Duncan McLeran. Since then, the Sandford House has under- gone several owners and fulfilled various func- tions—even serving as a women's dormitory for unmarried workers during World War II—before coming under the ownership of the Women's Club of Fayetteville, who have worked tirelessly to maintain it. e Christmas Tour is an opportunity for people to witness the fruits of their labor and get a taste of Fayetteville's history. In addition to Sandford House, the tour will also feature four private residences. is year, those homes belong to Nancy and Mike Karaman of Willow Bend Lane, Kim and David Hasty at the former site of Fayetteville Haney School, and Misha Vause on Valley Road. "We have generous homeowners that allow us to show their beautifully decorated homes for Christmas," shared Heritage Square Historical Society President Lynda Deaton. "It is always so festive, and individuals taking the tours go home with many fabulous ideas for their own holiday decorating." A new addition to the tour this year is the MacPherson House Bed and Breakfast at 701 Hay St. Owners Katie and Michael Stevick, along with their two young children, were honored to be in- vited as a stop on this year's tour and spent about a week getting it decorated for guests, according to property manager Mary Webb. Dressed in period clothing, Webb will take guests on a guided tour of the historic property built in 1920. In addition, guests will be treated to coffee, tea, and light refreshments during their visit. Having grown up in a similar house, Webb is more than excited to share the beauty and charm of the season with guests. "I love the historical houses," Webb shared with Up & Coming Weekly. "Anything you can do to decorate them and get them to be seen is wonderful." A donation of $25 pays for a ticket to the tour, and proceeds are used to support all three his- torical sites of Heritage Square. ese structures include e Sandford House, Oval Ballroom, and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks Home—all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. e Heritage Square Historial Society of North Carolina is a non-profit organization supported by membership dues, special grants, fundraisers, and individual donations. In advance of the tour, visitors may purchase tickets at the following locations: e Pilgrim (Westwood Shopping Center), Betty Kelly's Gift Shop (1228 Ft. Bragg Rd.), City Center Gallery & Books (112 Hay St.), High Cotton Consignment (2800-4 Raeford Rd.), SACKS 2 (3035-B Boone Trail), Bell's Seed Store (230 E. Russell St.). To purchase tickets on the event day, visit e Sandford House at 225 Dick Street. For more information, call (910)-483-6009. ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 COVER e MacPherson House Bed & Breakfast is a welcoming, festive spot with a view of downtown. (Photo by Isaiah Jones) Multiple Christmas trees await visitors to the MacPherson House Bed & Breakfast. (Photo by Isaiah Jones) e Sandford House decorated for Christmas in 2016. (Photo by Linda McAlister)