Holly Tour of Holiday Homes

The Dryden Town Historical Society is proud to announce their 2011 Holly Tour featuring three fabulous houses and one historic chapel decorated for the holidays. There will be ribbons and bows, candles and bells, holly and Christmas trees, all manner of decoration to make each location uniquely festive.

The architectural diversity and historic significance of these locations include: the home of Peggy Brewer (1384 Dryden Road, Ithaca), a pristine yellow farmhouse that belies its late 18th century origins; the classic 1840’s Greek Revival home of Jen Sage and Michael Brandt (24 Upper Creek Road, Etna); the stately 1854 Italianate home of Pat and Dick Deeb (31 Upper Creed Road, Etna); and the 1906 Shingle style Christ Chapel of George Junior Republic (380 Freeville Road, Freeville). Look for the Holly Tour sign at each stop.

Here are a few fun facts that you’ll discover: one of these locations was a stop on the Underground Railroad, one was for many years the summer home of four sisters, one was designed by the renowned architect Julius Schweinfurth, and one bears the remnants of one of the first linoleum floors in the area!

The Holly Tour will be held on Sunday, December 4th, from 1 PM to 4 PM with a reception to follow from 4 to 5:30 PM at the historic Etna Community Church (1 Upper Creek Road, Etna)

Tickets for this event are $10 per person (no children please) and are available at the Dryden History House on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, Shear Visions, Dryden Wines and Spirits, at the homes and chapel on the day of the tour, or by contacting Betsy Cleveland at 844-4289. For more information call Mary Hornbuckle (898-3461).