Each year, the Historic Staunton Foundation plans a wonderful house tour of beautiful historic homes all decorated for the Holiday Season. The 45th Annual Holiday House Tour will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 & 10, 2017. This year the tour will feature five homes and one business in the Oakenwold neighborhood of Staunton. The neighborhood was carved out of the Oakenwold Estate, a large property of William Frazer situated on a knoll at the north side of town. The estate stayed in the Frazer family until at least 1914 when the son of William died there.
The city of Staunton annexed the estate in 1860 and by 1904, the estate was broken into smaller parcels and a considerable amount of new building began. The local paper reported in 1910 that the citizens of West Williams street, part of the original estate, came to the Board of Aldermen and requested a “granolithic sidewalk”. A Grammar School was built on the corner of North Augusta Street and Churchville Avenue. That neoclassical building from 1916 is now the Public Library and sits at the front of the Historic Oakenwold Neighborhood.
There are five homes and one business included in this year’s highly anticipated tour. The tour stops reflect the variety of styles of buildings constructed in the 1920’s in this area. The home at 20 Frazer Street sits on a small knoll and has a 3rd story turret that provides a lovely view out over the Shenandoah Valley. It is considered to be of the Spanish Revival style. At 802 N Augusta Street, you will find a lovely restored 2-story home on the higher side of the street.
The brick house at 10 Bagby Street is a Colonial Revival style – one of the few brick homes on the tour this year. A newly refurbished porch at 101 Oakenwold Street is welcoming with a new roof to protect from the sun while watching the world go by.
At 16 Williams Street, a stone wall supports the front yard above the granolithic sidewalk. The home at 265 Williams Street reflects later development of the estate. After WWII, Williams Street was further developed to accommodate new families of “the greatest generation” – soldiers returning from battle.
The 45th Annual Holiday House Tour runs 5-8PM on Saturday and 1-5PM on Sunday. The ticket cost is $25 if purchased in advance and $30 if purchased on the day of the tours. Learn about the historic architecture of Staunton and get in the holiday spirit while enjoying all the festive decorations. Make your reservation to stay with us and enjoy our special holiday decorations too!
