Has Millersburg ever done a Historic Homes Tour? I dont remember hearing of one, but, Ive not lived in my dear hometown for many, many years. Gosh, those tours are a lot of fun, and they can be a nice moneymaker for almost any organization. Easy to arrange, too... Contact the owners of some of Millersburgs older, best-preserved homes and ask if theyd be willing to allow their homes to be on the tour. Usually first-floor-only. Five or six homes will do. Its always nice if a local historian or two can add his/her knowledge to that of the homeowners in order to write up a description of the homes and their known owners through the years. These descriptions, along with historic photos, will be included in the little catalog that will be given to folks along with their tour tickets. The descriptions might be condensed (dont want to give it ALL away) for publication in the Sentinel to publicize the event. Then, on one terrific Saturday during a big event week (Tour de Millersburg? Cherry Blossom time?), people who have always wondered about the interiors of those lovely homes are able to stroll through and have their curiosity satisfied! Its nice for the homeowners to display their quaint or sprawling, formal or casual, federal-style or victorian houses, and those on the tour always have a lot of fun. Homeowners arent required to participate any more than making their homes available. Florists might be engaged to provide flowers (with their cards displayed by the arrangements in exchange for their services). It can be a nice walking tour if the houses are in the same neighborhood. Mary Jane and I have walked on many of these tours, and one of our homes was featured once, as well. For that one, we really didnt have to do anything but open up the front door and scram! I believe that the Historical Society or whomever was sponsoring the tour stationed a few people in our house to watch over things and answer any questions. Anyway, I dont even know what set me off on this mile-long post, but I often think of Millersburg, and I can, right now, think of a dozen houses there that Ive never been in, but would love to experience! Hopefully, someone in town might pick up and run with an easy fundraiser... (Just a side note...) I think tix were about $10 or $15, and, in some houses, those disposable, over-the-shoe booties were provided so that homeowners didnt have to worry about their floors. In the town where our house was featured, they engaged an artist to do a lovely line drawing of our home. It was framed and given to us as a thank-you for opening up our house. Weve owned several homes over the years, of various ages, but that one was my all-time favorite. It was built in 1852, and, in 1858, its residents walked a few blocks down the street to listen to one of the great Lincoln-Douglas debates. Its thought to also have hosted one or more visits by Ralph Waldo Emerson, as one of its owners was a friend of the poet. Plus, its cute as a BUTTON! We sold it long ago, but I think Ill post a pic... LOL
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 20:22:55 +0000
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