Have you always wondered how some of Pittsburgh's historic homes and stately mansions are decorated for the holidays? Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a number of Pittsburgh area holiday house tours and events give you that chance.
November 12 - Eight beautifully decorated homes will open their doors this year for the annual Howard Hanna Mount Lebanon Holiday House Tour with a twist. Each of the homes showcases a major home improvement upgrade, complete with before and after photos. Tickets are $25 (includes admission to the homes and lunch), with proceeds benefiting the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.
November 19 - The Butler County Symphony Association is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year for their popular self-guided Holiday Tour of Homes featuring six beautifully decorated homes. A cookie reception welcomes all tour attendees at the First United Methodist Church Ministry Center on E. North Street. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the tour.
November 19 - Robertshaw B&B on the grounds of St. Emma Monastary in Greensburg will be decked out in holiday finery by eight local floral designers for the Greensburg Garden Center Christmas showcase. Tour the beautifully decorated 1931 red brick Colonial Revival and join the Sisters for Christmas carols and Vespers in the chapel at 3:30 p.m.. After the tour, enjoy live guitar and vocal music along with wine, cheese, cookies and punch. Admission is $20; tickets available at the Greensburg Garden Center and participating florists.
November 20 - For one day only, historic Woodville Plantation is open for special holiday candlelight tours. Learn about 18th century holiday customs and see a magnificent display of the "full table" feast celebrated during Twelfth Night. Also on display is a flag once used by the rebels as a symbol of their resistance in the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, a rare piece of history. Candlelight tours will be held from noon to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 6 through 12, and free for children under 6.
December 9-10 - Experience Christmas as it was celebrated over 100 years ago at the 30th annual Allegheny West Victorian Christmas House Tour. This popular tour features a number of restored Victorian homes, plus the historic Calvary United Methodist Church decorated in nineteenth-century Christmas style. High teas, brunches and a special wine dinner are also offered. Held Friday & Saturday in historic Allegheny West on Pittsburgh's North Side.
December 10 - Four of Ligonier's most beautiful and unique homes will be decorated in holiday splendor for the 8th annual Ligonier Holiday Home Tour sponsored by the Auxiliary of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. This self-driving tour begins at the museum with holiday pastries, cookies and beverages. Admission is $25; tickets available at the museum (they often sell out early!).
December 11 - Cranberry Women's Club is sponsoring a Christmas House Tour of eight homes. You will need to drive to each of the homes on this unguided tour; a booklet with map and home histories is provided at registration at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building. Admission is $20 (presale only) and proceeds benefit the southwestern Butler County chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Ongoing Holiday Home Tours
Christmas at Old Economy Village offers a unique 19th century Christmas celebration, with demonstrations, children's activities, a traditional Christmas putz, and plenty of German food. In the holiday house tour theme, the village and its historic buildings are decked in period Christmas finery.
The holiday season is the only time that Clayton House, the restored home of Henry Clay Frick, is open to the public for both daytime and evening tours. This year’s Clayton holiday tours includes holiday decorations in the spirit of family events celebrated by the Fricks celebrated in December. As always, the home will be dressed in finery reminiscent of the Victorian period.
The Hartwood Mansion is especially beautiful all decked out in holiday splendor! Day time tours are held from November 18 through January 8. Evening candlelight tours will be held November 28-30, plus December 3, 5, 6-7 and 12-14, 2011.
