After a four-year hiatus due to COVID-19, a beloved holiday tradition returns to Taylor.
Once again, the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society is offering their Christmas Homes Tour Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4.
This year’s event will showcase four of Taylor’s most historic homes and one church, including the Calla Lily Inn, Pecan Manor Bed and Breakfast, Taylor Mansion and West Mansion. In addition, for the first time, the tour will also include St. James Episcopal Church.
“These are four of our grandest homes,” said Frances Sorrow, society president. “They are all very historical, dating from 1878 to 1905, making this the most historic tour to date. This is the first time we have put a church on the tour, and it dates to 1893, and the organ, which was put in in 1914, is still played during their services.”
Attendees will get to see the homes all dressed up for the holidays, including Pecan Manor, the 1905 bed and breakfast, with its operational transoms, 11-foot ceilings and intricate woodwork.
“Each of the homes has been on the tour before, but every one of them has a new owner,” Sorrow said. “So even if someone saw a home in the 2010 or 2016 tour, they are not going to see the same home that they saw before.”
Brochures with details and a map will be supplied with ticket purchase, and homeowners and docents will be on hand at each of the sites to answer questions about the house, Sorrow said.
“I’m very excited. We have never had four such magnificent homes plus one church,” Sorrow said. “We feel very lucky that the homeowners were able to share their homes this year to celebrate the return of the Christmas homes tours.”
Advance tickets are $15, and are on sale Nov. 1-30 at the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, 1519 N. Main; Vintage Affairs, 106 E. Second Street; Taylor Soap Bar, 321 N. Main; and the Taylor Press, 211 W. Third Street.
Tickets will also be available the days of the tour. Tickets will be available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for $20. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticket holder.
