The Switzerland County Historical Society invites everyone to enrich their holiday season by participating in a tour through some of Vevay’s architectural treasures.
The “Christmas Tour of Historic Homes” will give visitors a glimpse into Switzerland County’s rich archictecural heritage and a vision of how people today have adapted early homes to present day living.
The sites on the tour span from 1814 to the 1890s, ranging from the vernacular influence of the early Swiss settlers to an Italianate mansion. The eight stops on the tour take visitors from Vevay’s first neighborhood to a charming home in the country.
Homes on this year’s tour include:
— The O.S. Waldo House: An 1880s Italianate on Market Street owned by John and Teresa Garnich.
— The Copeland House: Richard and Pam Haines own this Dutch Colonial on Main Street.
— The home of Keith and Carmon Smith on Market Street is an 1870s Italianate.
— Joyce and Ken Benbow’s home on Market Street is an 1880s Carpenter Vernacular.
— The Israel Whitehead House owned by Andrew Bullock is a 1817/1830 Greek Revival situated on Market Street.
— The home of Everett and Lois Burnett on State Road 129 is an 1890s Carpenter Vernacular.
— The Benjamin F. Schenck Mansion is an 1874 Empire and is owned by Lisa and Jerry Fisher and is situated on the hillside overlooking Vevay.
— The Roxy House is an 1814 Swiss Vernacular owned by Herschel and Sarah Brichto, and is on Market Street.
The “Christmas Tour of Historic Homes” is for one day only, and will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, from noon to 8 p.m. The tour begins at the “Life on the Ohio” River History Museum at 208 East Market Street, where visitors can enjoy a complimentary tour of the museum before embarking on the self-guided home tour.
Tickets are $10 the day of the tour, or may be purchased in advance for $8 at the Switzerland County Visitors Center at 128 West Main Street until Saturday, November 26th. A self-guided tour booklet and map will lead visitors to prime examples of historic restoration and preservation.
For further information about the tour and other holiday activities, call the Switzerland County Visitors Center at 427-3237, or 1-800-HELLO-VV.