Christmas Candlelight Tour ... Some Inside Information

When I told you in yesterday's post that I wasn't allowed to take photos inside the houses on Fredericksburg's Candlelight Tour, that wasn't exactly true.  Like last year, I was given permission to take photos inside the house where The Husband and I were volunteering.  There wasn't time for me to do as much as I wanted, and I was using my point-and-shoot camera so the photo quality is okay but not as good as I'd like, but I have a few photos to share so you can see some of the historic details and the beautiful decorations.  (I have supplemented my photos with ones that were published in the local paper.  Links to the newspaper articles will be at the end.)

I think it's easier to create a drop-dead gorgeous arrangement on your mantel when the mantel is as lovely as this one to begin with.

Dining room fireplace

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The table was set with family china and crystal, and decorated with boxwood and apples.

The corner cupboard dates to 1800.

This door leads to the beautifully newly-renovated kitchen.

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For a tour like this, it takes hours and hours, and dedicated volunteers to create and place the decorations.

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Look at the detail on the home's curved staircase!

The first-floor guest bedroom is a comfortable, welcoming space.  In here, the homeowners displayed two Union military uniforms and a family bible with notations from a relative who was serving in the Army during the war.

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Tour volunteers have access to parts of the house where the public is not allowed to go.  In this house, we used the basement rooms to hang our coats and purses, sit and rest, and grab a snack.  I sure wish that OUR basement was a welcoming and comfortable as this one ... maybe one day.

Even the basement utility room was lovely!  You can see the modern boiler to the right of this fireplace, with the metal flue coming around and going into the original chimney. 

As I suspected, touring these beautiful homes this weekend has me all motivated to fill our own house with Christmas cheer.  I worked at it most of the day yesterday, while watching football, and I'm well on my way.   I'll share the results with you in a few days.  In the meantime, I'm having special company tomorrow, so I have to hop to it and get this place in better order.

If you want to read more about the Fredericksburg Candlelight Tour, specifically about the house where The Husband and I were volunteering, click HERE to go to the article in the local paper.  Here is another LINK from this morning's paper, with more historic details and photos.