University City Holiday House Tour: December 20
Right: The Poinsettia Tree, a Penn Tower tradition that is on view until early January, is made of 125 growing plants and stands 10 feet tall in the first floor lobby. |
A dozen sites in University City are on this year's Holiday House Tour, to be held Sunday, December 20, 1-5 p.m. starting from the newly-restored Marigold Dining Room at 45th and Larchwood and ending with a holiday party, 4-6 p.m., in The Gables Bed and Breakfast, 46th and Chester.
This year's tour of the National Historical District west of campus is jointly sponsored by the University City Historical Society and University City Pride.
The twelve stops on the tour, dating from the 1860s to the 1920s, are eight private homes, a 1904 church with windows by Tiffany, two elegant bed-and-breakfast hotels, and a popular romantic restaurant established in 1934. Natural woodwork, leaded glass and Victorian room decor are among the special features of the houses, where traditional Christmas greens and family heirlooms will share the spotlight with collections of Santas, sea shells, ceramic and paper miniature houses, decorations from Eastern Europe, art pottery, and more. Dining tables will be set for holiday celebrations, including a silver 25th anniversary.
All eight of the houses on the tour are the homes of members of UC Pride, University City's organization of gay and lesbian neighbors. They will be among the hosts at the end-of-the-tour party at The Gables.
Tickets are available only on the day of the tour, starting no earlier than 12:30 p.m. at The Marigold; they are $12, with children under 12 touring free if accompanied by adults.
The Marigold Dining Room is open for brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
on the day of the tour, with prices ranging from $9.95-$13.95. For reservations,
call the Marigold at 222-3699. For other information, call the University
City Historical Society at 387-3019, or University City Pride at 552-8131.
Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 15, December 15, 1998