Celebrate the season with a holiday house tour in Delaware
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Odessa house tour and tree lighting is on Saturday, Dec. 2. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said it was Friday.
House tours traditionally kick off the holiday season.
Several take place early in December — for example, Rockwood Park & Museum begins Friday, Dec. 1; Lewes and Odessa hold events on Saturday, Dec. 2; and Woodburn, the governor's mansion in Dover, has a one-night-only special event on Friday, Dec. 8.
Here's where to go:
Lewes
The Lewes Historical Society has been celebrating the holiday season with the community for more than 50 years. It continues the tradition on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a Holiday House Tour of Lewes.
The tour features 10 Lewes properties decorated for the holidays. The diverse homes on the tour range from a “Tiny House” showcasing creative use of space along with their collection of Victorian Christmas decorations, to a three-story canal front contemporary home decorated with art, antiques, and Italian crystal chandeliers and wallpaper.
One of the oldest houses in Lewes is also part of the tour. Three houses were moved to its current location in the 1960s, and the oldest section dates from the late 17th century, partnered with two separate small homes built in the 18th century.
The Holiday House Tour of Lewes also includes the circa 1739 Maull House and the Children’s Beach House founded by Lydia Chichester du Pont.
Tickets are $35, or $40 if purchased the day of the event based upon availability. Each ticket will provide one-time admission to tour all homes between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A detailed guidebook with descriptions of each property on the tour serves as the admission ticket and can be picked up at the Lewes Historical Society prior to the tour.
The Lewes Historical Society also will hold its annual Holiday Village & Market in conjunction with the house tour at 110 Shipcarpenter St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the same day.
Tickets for the tour are limited. For more information or to purchase a ticket visit historiclewes.org.
The 91st annual Lewes Christmas parade also takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. (Rain/show date: Saturday, Dec. 9 at the same time.) The parade’s theme is “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes.”
Odessa
The town of Odessa offers a self-guided tour of festively decorated 18th- and 19th-century homes. Many of the historic houses date back to the Colonial era in Delaware.
The tour takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the house tour, it also has special events, which are included in the ticket price. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in The Ball House at 207 Main St. (No ticket required.) Tea and cookies available are courtesy of the Women’s Club of Odessa. The organization has been the sponsor of the events for the past 59 years.
The event is held rain or shine. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 if purchased on the day of the tour. Children ages 6 to 12 are $5, and children under 6 years old are free.
Advanced tickets may be purchased at the bank. Same-day tickets may be purchased at the Old Academy at Fourth and Main streets in Odessa. Visit christmasinodessa.org for more information.
The town's tree lighting is on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Old Academy Building.
Woodburn
The mansion at 151 Kings Highway in Dover will be illuminated for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The home was built around 1798 by Charles Hillyard III and is one of the finest Middle-Period Georgian houses in the state. It has been the official residence of the Governor of Delaware since it was purchased by the state in 1965.
Visitors are invited to enjoy the home's decorations, walk the grounds, listen to music, sip hot cocoa, and make a s'more over a fire pit. The event is free. Visit the John Bell House at 43 The Green in Dover on Thursday through Saturday to make an illumination, which will be displayed at the event. Visit woodburn.delaware.gov.
Hale-Byrnes House
The historic Hale-Byrnes House at 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Stanton will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two-story, five-bay brick house was built in 1750. It was the site of a Council of War on Sept. 6, 1777, five days before the Battle of the Brandywine.
An American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware from 7 to 9 p.m. includes a discussion of "Peter Jaquett, A Neglected Hero." The speaker will be Brig. Gen. Kennard R. Wiggins Jr. Well-behaved children are welcome. The $5 cost at the door includes coffee, tea, and dessert. Visit halebyrnes.org
Rockwood Museum
Joseph Shipley, a Quaker merchant banker, built Rockwood between 1851 and 1854. Its Gothic Revival architecture and enchanting landscape were designed to reflect the beauty of an English country estate.
The museum reflects the way the Bringhurst family, descendants of Shipley, lived during the turn of the 20th century.
A holiday open house is Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. It includes performances by local choirs, food trucks, a 6:15 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony, a Santa display, a train ride through the gardens, and the illuminated park. Self-guided tours of the museum's first-floor decorations and feature exhibition of "Visions of Sugarplums." The event is free.
On Saturday, Dec, 2, the event continues from 5 to 9 p.m. with free photos with Santa, and performances by local choirs and dance companies and a Santa Shop, which includes students and groups making and selling crafts, jewelry, and other gift items. Visit newcastlede.gov/1198/Rockwood-History.
Milton
The Women’s Club of Milton holds its annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. The rain or shine event includes a tour of several historic houses and three historic public buildings including the Milton Historical Society and Museum, Milton Town Hall and Milton Arts Guild. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the tour. For more information, visit womensclubofmilton.org/holiday-house-tour-2023.
Old New Castle
Historic New Castle holds its free Spirit of Christmas celebration from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. It's a townwide holiday celebration, held rain or shine, that takes place annually in the charming town. Stroll through private homes, enjoy musical performances and street theater, find great gifts from vendors in the indoor and outdoor Winter Market, meet Santa and friends and sip and savor drinks and fare from local restaurants and food vendors. There's also caroling at the New Castle's tree-lighting ceremony on the Green. A list of the homes on the tour can be found at spiritofchristmasde.com/openhomes. Visit spiritofchristmasde.com.
Winterthur Museum
The museum's holiday style this season is inspired by its exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier. This year’s Yuletide Tour features custom fashion by local designers Shawn Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks, whose creations reflect the history of Winterthur and the design sensibilities of Henry Francis du Pont and Ann Lowe. Henry Francis du Pont's 175-room house decorations include signature traditions, including the show-stopping Dried-Flower Tree, and artistic Christmas trees inspired by Ann Lowe gowns.
There also are sparkling trees, dollhouses, visits from Charles Dickens and a number of holiday events (like the Yuletide Brunch with Santa) that tend to sell out early. The holiday decorations will be displayed through Sunday, Jan. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Purchase tickets online or call 800-448-3883. Visit winterthur.org.
Hagley Museum
The theme this year at Hagley is “Treasures and Traditions." Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home built in America, will be dressed for the holidays and illuminated with softly glowing lights. Visitors can tour it from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12; Thursday, Dec. 14; Tuesday, Dec. 19; and Thursday, Dec. 21.
It includes holiday decorations and traditions of multiple generations of the du Pont family. Visitors can view entries in Hagley's Gingerbread House Contest in the Hagley Barn and visit the Hagley Store for light refreshments and special post-tour discounts on holiday merchandise.
Tickets are $20 for nonmembers and $10 for Hagley Members. Reservations are required. Visit hagley.org.
Eleutherian Mills also is open during the day as part of Holidays at Hagley, as well as the select December evenings during Holiday Nights at Hagley.
Holidays at Hagley is open daily through Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Christmas Day), which is included with regular museum admission. Advance tickets are not required.
Use Hagley's Main Entrance off Delaware Route 141 in Greenville.
Contact Patricia Talorico at ptalorico@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2861 and follow her on X (Twitter) @pattytalorico Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.
More holiday fun in Delaware
Delaware's Gilded Age: Here's a guide to 15 du Pont family estates
Hand-crafted gifts: Delaware craft fairs to hit up for holiday gifts and last-minute Christmas shopping
Add your house to our map: Looking for local lights displays? Find holiday light displays in Delaware using our map
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware holiday house tours kick off the Christmas season
