The Jonathan Crandall House
The 28th Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour is the premier fundraising event for the Dennisville Historic Home Owners Association, Inc., [501 (c)(3)]. On Saturday, Dec. 16 from 4 to 8 p.m., a minimum of eight beautifully decorated 18th and 19th century historic homes, as well as several public buildings and two churches, will be open to the public. Please think about starting your holiday season with a festive glimpse of history in Dennisville at Christmas time!
Dennis Township Middle School Student Government students will serve as greeters to distribute programs and get tour goers started on their way. Houses open at 4 p.m., and the Post Office will be open for stamp sales as well.
Highlights of the tour include the Middletones Carolers (Middle Township High School’s a cappella vocal quartet) performing throughout the village in period costume, Alice Belanger McGuigan’s illustrated “Historic Dennisville: A Walking Tour” for sale at the ticket center, and new and antique equipment on display, plus light refreshments, at the Dennis Volunteer Fire Company.
The featured home of the tour will be the Jonathan Crandall House (ca. 1813-1817), comprised of two main sections, both with timber framing, gable roofs that run parallel to the façade, and large interior wall fireplaces. The front enclosed porch shelters a brick well. Each and every room is lavishly decorated with midcentury reminders of Christmases past: blow mold figures, painted and glass C9’s and C7’s, plastic table ornaments and festive cardboard decorations. Having never been on the Dennisville House Tour, the house had its inaugural opening during the 2016 tour and was very well received. Keep your coat on as there is no heat in the house!
Refreshments and comfort stations will be available at the Dennisville United Methodist Church Social Hall, the Dennis Volunteer Fire Station and the Dennis Township Old School House Museum.
Tickets are $15, and are sold at the Dennisville Post Office, 24 Hall Ave., Dennisville, the day of the tour beginning at 3:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales are available online at www.dhhoa.org.
Prior to the tour, a soup and sandwich supper at the South Dennis Trinity United Methodist Church will begin at 3 p.m. and go until the food runs out. Cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12. Additionally, the Dennis Township Old School House Museum will open at 3:30 p.m. Come take a quick look and make arrangements to return for a more in-depth visit at a later date.
For further information, visit dhhoa.org, or contact Jack Connolly at (609) 861-1338 or dennisvillechristmashousetour@verizon.net.