event details:
A tour of eight homes in the Norwin area is being offered at the 10th annual Norwin Historical Society’s Homes for the Holidays. The event is Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3:30 to 8 p.m., beginning at Norwin Public Library, Caruthers Lane, Irwin. Tickets, limited to 500, are $15 and can be purchased at the Norwin Public Library on Caruthers Lane, Norwin Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Grille, both along Main Street downtown Irwin.
This year, a special anniversary poster showing many of the past tour homes is for sale. Cost is $10.
The stops on the self-driven tour, no shuttle areas this year, include:
*First Street: 19th century farmhouse was originally part of the Walthour family land. It features the original summer kitchen, hardwood floors and wrap staircase.
*Caruthers Lane: a 1920-30 house being renovated back to a single-family home. The family has a collection of treasures spanning the 18th to 20th century.
*Durst Road: turn-of-the-century farmhouse, typical four-square. Had undergone remodeling about 20 years ago. Eigh-teenth and 19th century antiques furnish the home.
*Pennsylvania Avenue: four-square has original woodwork, pocket doors and four fireplaces in its four floors of living space. A downstairs family room is done in a ‘50s diner theme complete with juke box and pinball machines.
*Pennsylvania Avenue: 20th century house with leaded glass accents and collection of Johnson Brothers Olde English Countryside china.
*Durst Road: a 19th century whimsical barn conversion for the 20th century family with a replica gas station and theater.
*Brush Hill Road: 1940s Cape Cod showcases original woodwork and bathrooms. The main fireplace has been renovated with the mantel formed from the former doors of a church.
*Covenant Hall on Fourth Street will have the offering of refreshments and entertainment by Norwin Show Choir. The former 1870s church houses a 1906 pipe organ donated by Andrew Carnegie.
Proceeds benefit the mission of the society that identifies and preserves local historic sites, preserves and collects artifacts of the Norwin area, educates the public and publishes and researches local history.