An Old Fashioned Christmas House Tour
Plainfield, NJ
Van Wyck Brooks Historic District
Sunday, December 6, 2009
1:00PM to 6:00PM
Tickets: $25.00
(Day of the Tour) 1:00-4:30pm
935 Central Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060
Advance Tickets: $20.00
URL: http://vanwyckbrookshistoricdistrict.blogspot.com/
James Herbert Case wasn’t just another of the many bankers living in Plainfield in the 1920’s. He became Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in time to oversee operations during the crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. Case’s first Plainfield home, along with six other historic houses, will be on view at An Old Fashioned Christmas House Tour given by the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District, on Sunday, December 6, 2009, from 1:00 to 6:00pm. Case’s home from 1909 to 1925 may seem modest today considering his sharp rise to prominence in the banking world, but the gracious Colonial Revival built at the turn of the last century was equipped with amenities of the day, including three bathrooms (still with their original tile and roomy bathtubs), airy sun porch, spacious bedrooms, and comfortable floor plan.
Included also is a newly restored Queen Anne extravaganza grand enough to have been written up in a1909 New York Times article describing its copious architectural features, and which inspired a replica of itself built in India. A Tudor Revival mansion built by manufacturing tycoon Hugh J. Pierce displays stained glass roundels imported from Europe to carry the Olde English theme into his living room.
Residents of this National Register Historic District are opening homes with a variety of architectural detail and lavish holiday decorations to please both preservation enthusiasts and attendees wanting to experience some good old-fashioned Christmas spirit. Adding to the fun is a house-to-house hunt for clues with a Twelve Days of Christmas theme and a chance to win prizes provided by local merchants. A portion of tour proceeds will be donated to the Plainfield Rescue Squad.
A holiday event for adults and children over twelve, the tour hours, 1:00-6:00pm, offer guests daytime viewing of the many exterior details featured on these homes, and the magic of the evening lights of Christmas decorating. Tickets are $25 on the day of the tour, available from 1:00 to 4:30pm at 935 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Advance sale tickets are $20, available at Swain Galleries, 703 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060, The Pillars Bed and Breakfast Inn, 922 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060, (908)753-0922, and online at http://anoldfashionedchristmas.eventbrite.com
Log onto http://vanwyckbrookshistoricdistrict.blogspot.com for a link to online ticket sales, directions, and general information. Cash or check only for Swain Galleries, The Pillars, and at ticket sales location on tour day.