Presented by Preservation Williamsport

November 17th, 18th and 19thTour of Homes, Churches,

and MuseumsOnly Saturday, November 18th, 2017

food around town

Schedule of Events

Chef Hosch & Ann Catering414 Walnut Streetformerly the Women’s Club (seated luncheon)Hours 11 AM – 3:30 PM414 West Fourth Street (mobile kitchen)Hours 11 AM – 3:30 PM

414

Franco’s Lounge12 West Fourth StreetOpen Menu • Hours 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM12

Brickyard/Stonehouse Pizza 343 Pine StreetOpen Menu • Hours 11:00 AM until closing343

Moon & Raven Public House 155 West Fourth StreetOpen Menu • Hours 11:00 AM until closing155

Historic Genetti Hotel & Suites200 West Fourth StreetBreakfast Buffet $9.95 per person, $2 off withtour ticket, 6:30 AM – 10 AM

200

City Alliance Church380 West Fourth Street, 9 AM – 4 PMThis Romanesque church was designed and built byEber Culver on land donated by Peter Herdic around

1860. After being destroyed by floods, the original building was torn downin 1898. A new church was built in 1914. The mountain stone was quarriedin this area. Note the Tiffany Windows.

Bethel AME Church601 Hepburn Street, 9 AM – 4 PMThe Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Churchwas organized in 1862, and under construction in 1886.

It has a brick exterior, a nave and raised area for the altar and choir. Allthe windows are ornamental, repeating a simple, elegant design. Somewindows are dedicated to the church’s founders and their descendants.One window is exceptional as it contains a painted portrait of one of thefirst pastors of the church, the Rev. John Emory Russell (1846-1887).

St. Joseph the Worker Church702 West Fourth Street, 10 AM – 3 PMBuilt in 1886 by Amos Wagner on land donated byPeter Herdic, this Romanesque style church was built to

serve the Irish community. The stone came from the nearby town of Ral-ston. The church seats 600 people and features an abundance of marbleand gold décor. Sanctuary tours from 10 AM – 3 PM. Lunch, beveragesand crafts from 9 AM – 3 PM in the Monsignor William J. FlemingParish Center.

Covenant Central Presbyterian Church807 West Fourth Street, 9 AM – 4 PMBuilt in 1909 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style,

this structure is marble and granite, including the front steps, all quarriedat the Avondale Quarry near Philadelphia. The roof is terracotta tile andcopper with thick window lintels, large semi-circular arched entries, threedoors with stained glass, and many arched, stained glass windows. Thechurch has an eight-sided dome in the sanctuary, which includes a crosson top made of solid oak with hammered copper overlay.

807

380

601

702

Suggested Starting Point: The Transportation Museum, 810 Nichols PlaceAdults: $20.00

FREE to children through age 18 and students with college IDCash or Check payable to Victorian Christmas

E-Ticket Website: www.2017victorianchristmas.eventbrite.comTickets are now available at the following locations:

Community Arts Center, 220 West Fourth StreetThe Historic Genetti Hotel & Suites, 200 West Fourth Street

Lycoming County Visitors Bureau (Credit Cards accepted) • 800-358-9900On the day of tour, tickets will also be sold at the following locations:

The Transportation Museum, 810 Nichols PlaceHomes on Tour

Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, 102 West Fourth StreetFor Ticket Information, contact: Peachie O’Connor at 570-419-2989For Tour Information, contact:Yvonne Di Rocco at 570-772-5671

See under individual church headings for churches serving food.

SuNDAy, NOVEMBER 19thDuboistown Garden Club: 10 AM – 7 PM

“Holiday Cheers” at Lycoming College Gym • Donation $4.00Will Huffman Toy Train Expo: 11 AM – 4 PM

Park Place, 800 West Fourth Street • toytrainexpo.orgAlso at the nearby Thomas T. Taber Museum and

Peter Herdic Transportation Museum

27th Annual • Children free, Adults $2.00 donationThe Park Home Meadows

Display of Park Home Art & Antiques:11:30 AM – 3:30 PM

2160 Warrensville Road, Montoursville, PA 17754Tours, musical entertainment, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments

FRiDAy, NOVEMBER 17thArtisan Holiday Market: 2 PM – 7 PM

YWCA • 815 West Fourth Street

Wine & Design (adult class): 6 PM – 8 PM“Vintage Bells & Holly” image at 357 Market Street

Discounted rate $25.00 • 570-846-0993 • Please register in advance.Tickets available at www.wineanddesign.com/williamsport

Duboistown Garden Club: 10 AM – 7 PM“Holiday Cheers” at Lycoming College Gym • Donation $4.00

“Williamsport in the underground Railroad” – 6 PMHistoric Theme Talk at the Thomas T. Taber Museum Community Room

“Lighting of the Tree” at Park Place: 7 PMCarols led by “The Lycoming College Counterpoint Living Affinity”

Cookies and Hot Chocolate!

SATuRDAy, NOVEMBER 18thGrowers Market: 8 AM – 1 PM 

Corner of William Street and Little League BoulevardHomes, Churches & Museums Tour: 9 AM – 4 PM

Time may vary if otherwise noted • Tickets $20.00

Artisan Holiday Market: 9 AM – 4 PM“Featuring a variety of hand-crafted works for purchase”

at the Fink/Youngman House, 601 Sixth StreetDuboistown Garden Club: 10 AM – 7 PM

“Holiday Cheers” at Lycoming College Gym • Donation $4.00Will Huffman Toy Train Expo: 10 AM – 4 PM

Park Place, 800 West Fourth Street • toytrainexpo.orgAlso at the nearby Thomas T. Taber Museum and

Peter Herdic Transportation Museum27th Annual • Children free, Adults $2.00 donation

Wine & Design (child class)Walk in anytime between 9am - 4pm. Kids can pick one of four images.

$10.00 each 8x10 • 570-846-0993Tickets available at www.wineanddesign.com/williamsport

WSO Billtown Brass Band: 4 PMPresenting their annual “Kick Off the Holidays” Concert

Trade & Transit II, 3rd Fl. Michael Ross Event Center, 144 W. 3rd StreetFeatured guest performers will be “Spencer and the T-Bones.”

Free Parking in 3rd Street Parking Deck • Tickets $10.00

The Billtown Christmas Parade: 6 PM

Christ Episcopal Church426 Mulberry Street, 9 AM – 4 PMChrist Church is the city’s oldest Episcopal Church. Aparish church was organized in 1841 and the first church

building was located on the present site of the New Covenant Church. In1869, the now standing Christ Church was built with its first service heldon Christmas Day. This Victorian Norman-Gothic structure is adorned withstained glass windows, many of which are Tiffany, and a pipe organ. Ongoing sanctuary tours and refreshments will be served.

426

Peter Herdic House407 West Fourth StreetVictorian Tea • 570-322-0165 $16.00 per person, reservations required, 2 – 4 PM

407

Trinity Episcopal Church844 West Fourth Street, 9 AM – 4 PMBuilt in 1875 by Culver and Thorn, the church was paidfor by Peter Herdic, who donated both the land and the

building to the parish. His father-in-law, Judge Maynard, presented thechurch with a set of Westminster chimes. The church is an example of Eng-lish Gothic architecture and contains stone quarried locally from Bald EagleMountain. A Victorian soup lunch will be served from 11 AM – 2 PM.

844

church tours

Shiloh Baptist Church433 Walnut Street, 9 AM – 4 PMShiloh Baptist Church has been a pillar of the Williams-port community for over 135 years. The earliest avail-

able records indicate that on June 12, 1879, ten African-American mem-bers of the First Baptist Church of Williamsport asked permission to bedismissed from the fellowship of the First Baptist Church to take uponthemselves the task of forming a Mission School. Their act marked the beginning of the Shiloh Baptist Church. On May 18, 1881, despite limitedcapital, the congregation resolved to purchase the property and erected anew church building.

433

Ebenezer Baptist Church527 Park Avenue, 9 AM – 4 PMEbenezer Baptist Church purchased land in 1890 to buildits church, dedicating it in 1899. This “Church with a

Heart” welcomes newcomers. Lovely stained glass windows include one“Presented by Under Ground Railroad Club.” Ebenezer’s choir, under thedirection of Shaunna Daniels, National Gospel Recording Artist, willperform Spirituals and Gospel music from 1 to 2 p.m.

527

Tickets

VC_Freedom Brochure_2017+JC.qxp_Layout 1 9/8/17 10:53 AM Page 1

TOUR OF HOMES AND HISTORIC SITES

855 Vallamont Drive The Culler HouseSponsors: Allison Crane & Rigging, The Buttery BiscuitOwner: Neal Milligan • Chair: Bev McCauley

Florist: Nevill’s Flowers, Melissa iseleyBuilt in 1917 by C. Luther and Carolyn Gates Culler, this gracious home celebrates its100th anniversary this year. The brick and stucco exterior and outside front fountain trulyexemplify the Georgian style of architecture. In the style of The Great Gatsby, it featurestall arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, fourteen rooms, five bathrooms, and maid’s andchauffeur’s quarters. The $100,000 construction cost was a sizable amount for the era.Culler owned and operated the Culler Furniture Company in Williamsport, located at thefoot of Susquehanna Street on the site of what is now the Pennsylvania College of Tech-nology. The company’s primary product was chairs. This spectacular home has under-gone extensive and detailed restoration by the present owner.

855

770 West Fourth StreetWeightman Block ApartmentsSponsors: Jersey Shore State Bank, Stickey ElbowOwner: RDG-Weightman Block Associates ofOwner: Lemoyne, PA • Chair: Gail Landers

The Herdic Block, as it was originally known, was designed and built by Eber Culverfor Peter Herdic in 1870. It was to be the business center of the city and eventually thesite of an opera house, public market and government offices. The large 3½ story “U”shaped commercial and residential complex was built entirely of timber and bricks, andwas still unfinished in 1878 when it was purchased by William Weightman. It was lastrenovated into apartments in 1996. In 2016, new owners began to make additional improvements.

770

601 Sixth StreetThe Fink/youngman HouseSponsors: Airmen Mechanical Services,Sponsors: Franco’s Lounge / Cloud 9

Owners: Matt and yvonne Di Rocco • Chair: Matt Di RoccoThis upper middle class, brick Victorian home was designed by one of Williamsport’searly architects, William Fink. The land, part of the DuBois addition to Williamsport,was originally deeded and purchased from lumberman John DuBois. Fink first con-structed a stone culvert (still existing and on display) through his property and acrossPine Street, to enclose Grafius Run. He then built this home to straddle the stream. Theearly 1890s brought a transfer in the home’s ownership to prominent Williamsport Physi-cian Dr. Charles W. Youngman, son of the Williamsport businessman and abolitionist,George W. Youngman. The home is in the early stages of preservation and repurposing.The Artisan’s Holiday Market will be featured here.

601

901 West Fourth StreetBackhouse Café Coffee & TeaSponsors: Eric Stashak Photography, Ed and Linda AlbertsOwners: Ron and June Wright

Co-Chairs: June Wright, Coleman and Betty FunkFlorist: Lady Di’s Floral & Garden Art, Diane FranklinThis Late Victorian Queen Anne home (also known as the Johnson/Lamade House) wascompletely custom designed with colonial revival influence. The outside of this house isoriginal and boasts many stylistic features, such as double roof dormers with wood shin-gles and fish scale trim, that were not found in the typical pattern book of the time. Itwas designed in 1890 by Amos Wagner and built for Henry Johnson, a state legislatorfrom Muncy, who moved to the city to help his six daughters find suitable husbandsamong the wealthy men of Williamsport. The Johnsons were so pleased with Wagner’swork, they had him build a similar home next door on Maynard Street for one of theirdaughters. The house now is the home of Backhouse Café’ Coffee & Tea.

707 West Fourth StreetThe Rowley House MuseumSponsors: Blaise Alexander Family Dealership,Sponsors: Al and Judy Styrcula

Owner: Preservation WilliamsportChair: Robert Kane, Rowley House CuratorFlorist: Special Occasion Floral, Karen RuhlThis 1888 home was designed by Eber Culver and built on land purchased by PeterHerdic. It is recognized as one of the most outstanding examples of Queen Anne architecture in the state and features extraordinary Tiffany quality stained glass windows which were featured in Victorian Homes Magazine.  The cherry and oakwoodwork is in excellent condition, and the electric light fixtures are extremely rare.This home was opened to the public as a Victorian House Museum summer 2007.

901

707

711 West Fourth StreetThe Elias Deemer HouseSponsors: Chef Hosch & Ann Catering, Sponsors: Eric and Tish O’Connor

Owners: Daniel H. Llewellyn and Dr. Susan G.S. AndersonChair: Jessica AbernathyFlorist: Janet’s Floral Creations, Janet JohnsThis seventeen-room brick Victorian style home and accompanying carriage housewere built in 1887 by architect Eber Culver for his friend Elias Deemer. This is another outstanding example of Queen Anne craftsmanship, especially the cherrywainscoting in the foyer and front hall as well as three floors of cherry stairway rail-ings. The house has undergone considerable restoration, both exterior and interior,by the current owner. Featured in the carriage house is a 1929 Packard limousine.

711

225 Grampian BoulevardThe Huffman/Myers HouseSponsors: Moon & Raven Public House, Sponsors: Allen and Ashley Kiessling & Family

Owners: Jim and Karen MyersCo-Chairs: Jill Confair and Susan MyersFlorist: Hall’s Florist, Karen WilliamsThis three-story Queen Anne style Victorian home with large wrap-around porch wasbuilt in 1895 by William H.C. Huffman. Huffman was a locally renowned architectand builder of many of the city’s commercial buildings. He and his wife Nena livedin the home from 1896-1904, when it was sold to Frank B. Thrall, a local wholesalegrocer, for $4,000.00. In 1968 the Goodwillie family purchased the home andadapted it to 20th-century living. Note the original fireplaces, oak woodwork, largepocket doors and beveled glass in some of the windows. The kitchen and enclosedporch remain as it was after the late 60’s remodel. When the Myers family purchasedthe home in 1997 they worked to restore the interior from a more colonial designback to its original Victorian influence. This property also has the original carriagehouse and outside kitchen on the grounds.

225

This event supported in part by grants fromLycoming County Visitors Bureau, Pennsylvania Councilon the Arts, Bradford County Regional Arts Council

Printed by Grit Printing and Direct Mail

• The Homeowners who shared their homes• Photographer – Richard Karp • Home Sponsors• Radio Sponsors: Airmen Mechanical Services,

Fischer insurance Agency, Huffman Office Equipment Company• Volunteers • Brochure/Ticket Design: Sandra Norton Butters

19 East Fourth StreetThe James V. Brown LibraryThe James V. Brown Library was a gift to the city of Williamsportfrom James Vanduzee Brown, a prominent citizen who made his for-

tune in lumber and grain mills, and was instrumental in the founding of the Williams-port Municipal Water Authority. The Library was designed by Edgar V. Seeler, andopened to the public on June 18, 1907. Entering through the Fourth Street foyer, visitors encounter the marble statues of Ruth and Beatrice Portinari that were part ofBrown’s personal collection. The magnificent Moltz Rotunda Reading Room is of theoriginal structure and contains the stained-glass dome skylight and more recently installed wrought iron gazebo.

19

235 Grampian BoulevardThe Plankenhorn / Lundy /Rosenthal House

Sponsors: Bastian Tire & Auto Center, Brickyard/Stonehouse PizzaOwner: Dr. Marc Rosenthal • Co-Chairs: Nan young and Ashley BogartFlorist: Nevill’s Flowers, Melissa iseley & Aquarius PoolsThis 5,418 square foot historic estate was built in 1898 as a Victorian brick and shin-gle style home. William W. Jackson lived here from 1909-1923, however possibly notthe original owner. In 1925 the Frank E. Plankenhorn family purchased the home, ex-tensively remodeling the exterior and converting the Victorian into a French Countrystucco chateau complete with an imported French rooster wind vane atop the main tur-ret. The lavish interior features original herringbone floors, a sweeping spiral staircaseas well as original barreled, leaded stained-glass windows, and doors by Tiffany Stu-dios. Note the original carriage house and gardens located on the estate grounds. Thisstately home was recently purchased in 2016 and is currently undergoing renovation.

235

These homes have great architectural detail, some with modern adaptations, some with historical significance, and some with legendary interest.

special thanks

200 West Fourth StreetHistoric Genetti Hotel & SuitesBuilt in 1922, The Lycoming Hotel stood 10 stories tall. Mr.Gus Genetti purchased the hotel in 1974 and worked very hard

to maintain the elegant atmosphere. The hotel to this day attracts many notableguests and is still the tallest building in the city. Being located in the heart ofdowntown Williamsport, the Genetti is the premier place to visit and offers greatwalking abilities to many shops and restaurants. Victorian Christmas tourists arewelcome to walk through the historic hotel lobby and take in the beautiful Christ-mas decorations while enjoying some complimentary light refreshments.

200

858858 West Fourth StreetThe Thomas T. Taber MuseumLycoming County Historical Society

The Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society willbe alive with the sound of ‘All Aboard!’ as its Community Room is enlivenedwith train layouts, an extension of the Will Huffman Toy Train Expo. Surround-ing the room will be stunning artworks, the best of the Bald Eagle Art League.And come back in December when the Community Room will be host to vintageiceskates, sleds and sleighs loaned to us by members of the community. Andwhile you are here, view the Larue Shempp Model Train Collection, our newly-replenished Decorative and Fine Arts Gallery, and other county treasures.

FREEDOM ROAD CEMETERySeveral African American families lived here and gave aid to persons escapingslavery. Daniel Hughes bought land from one of these families, the Rodericks.Daniel was a UGRR conductor. Traveling down the Susquehanna by timber raft,he returned on foot from Maryland, leading runaways over Native American trailsto Freedom Road. The Hughes family sheltered and nursed the runaways, then ledor conveyed them northward. Hughes gave land so that African Americans, includ-ing nine Civil War veterans, had a place to be buried. Daniel and Annie are buriedthere in unmarked graves. Hughes family descendants cared for the cemetery forgenerations. In the latter 20th century, Eagle Scout Hayim Weiss raised funds andhelped restore it. Loyalsock Township now owns and maintains Freedom Roadcemetery. A Pennsylvania State Historical Marker commemorates the site.

201 West Fourth StreetThe FCFP Philanthropy CenterThe beautiful red brick building on the corner of William andWest Fourth Streets was built in 1860. The building was home

to two prominent Williamsport families, those of George Slate and John A. Otto.Thirty years later, the home was transformed into the Ross Club. In 2016, theFirst Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania purchased the buildingat 201 West Fourth Street to create the FCFP Philanthropy Center.

201

107 West Fourth StreetThe Otto BookstoreSponsor: Citizens & Northern BankThe Otto Bookstore has been a cornerstone of the Williamsport

community for 176 years. Originally founded as A.D. Lundy & Co. in 1841, the storesold a variety of other goods in addition to books, including window shades and insur-ance. Over the decades, the store changed names, locations and owners several timesbefore passing to the Otto family in the 1890s. Today, the Otto Bookstore is the oldestindependently owned bookstore in the United States, and one of the five oldest book-stores in the country. The store was recently acquired from the Rider family, whosework and ownership dates back to 1905 and has been a part of the store’s history fornearly four generations. Now the Nassberg family has joined Otto’s history to ensurethat the bookstore remains a booklover’s paradise for the generations to come.

107

WiLLiAMSPORT iN THEuNDERGROuND RAiLROAD

This year’s Victorian Christmas events offer an educational focus on theUnderground Railroad (UGRR), including special lectures and a visit to his-toric Freedom Road cemetery. Long before it became known as the UGRR,people of different races, religions, and walks of life worked together hereto help others escape from slavery. As local residents went about their dailylives, nearby, in barns, homes, caves, underbrush, and outbuildings, peopleon their way to freedom lay hidden: resting, being fed, recovering fromwounds. Those helping included members of African Methodist Episcopaland AME Zion churches, Quakers, Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists, Presby-terians, and Dunkards; research continues into potential Jewish, GermanLutheran and Reformed, and other participants. Local hostility to abolition-ists included violence against anti-slavery speakers. Nevertheless, conspir-ators continued assisting runaways. Some who arrived here remained inWilliamsport and the region. After the second Fugitive Slave Act (1850)many went to Canada for safety. Slavecatchers pursued their prey all theway to the Canadian border, at least once searching the home of Daniel andAnnie Hughes, a UGRR “station” in what is now called Freedom Road,failing to find a woman and sick children hidden there. One slaveownercame to Williamsport by canal boat, caught a glimpse of his “property” whohad ventured out of her hiding place during daylight, and gave chase. Theterrified woman ducked into a nearby barn, witnessed by UGRR agentAbraham Updegraff. After darkness, she and her family were forwarded tothe Freedom Road conductors, who saw them safely beyond the grasp oftheir pursuers. In 1870, when the 15th Amendment allowed black Americanmen to vote, Williamsport celebrated, and UGRR agents, both black andwhite, rode together in the parade – openly visible at last.

– Karen L. Frock, 2017

Special Thanks to our Media Sponsor:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18tH 9:00 am to 4:00 pM

https://victorianchristmaspa.wordpress.com/

VC_Freedom Brochure_2017+JC.qxp_Layout 1 9/8/17 10:54 AM Page 2