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Holiday house tours: Christmas elegance abounds in Scottdale, Ruffsdale areas
At the turn of the century, Scottdale was one of the most affluent towns in the state. It is still quite evident today by its grand display of majestic homes, many still intact and restored to their original splendor, showing all who visit the quiet, stately elegance of this wonderful little town.
There are several different style of homes throughout the town, including Victorian, Neo-classical, Second Empire and Federal Brick, and thanks to the upcoming "Christmas Elegance" home tour, owners of several of these beautiful homes are opening their doors to the public for all to enjoy and appreciate.
From 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11, eight homes in the Scottdale and Ruffsdale area will welcome all who wish to visit, as the Scottdale Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors its first "Christmas Elegance" tour. Some of the homes featured are more than 100 years old; some are quite new -- but all possess a warm, welcoming feeling.
Ruth Thompson of Connellsville remembers the tours Scottdale conducted several years ago. She is looking forward to this year.
"My daughter, Kristen, and I used to love walking through some of the wonderful homes there," said Thompson. "I understand that they have some new ones this year to see. I can't wait."
The eight homes can be visited any time during the tour, and in no particular order.
"We were able to get a few different homes of different styles," commented Dennis Mulligan, who is working with the tour. "I think that we have a nice tour planned."
Mulligan took to the streets, literally, as he spent three evenings walking throughout the town looking for residents who were willing to open their homes for the tour.
"I just started knocking on doors and asking people," Mulligan laughed. "And I am very happy with the results that we got."
One of the two homes from the Ruffsdale area included on this year's tour is a lovely, brick Victorian, owned by Catherine and Bill Fike. This 16-room mansion is full of antiques, all evident of the owners' love of collecting. Special features include a spiral Christmas tree and hand-hooked rugs by Carolyn Shelky.
The other Ruffsdale home is the beautiful, rustic Shultz farm, where owner Patty Shultz will eagerly greet visitors and take you through her 10-room farmhouse. Shultz has not opened her home to the public for tours since 1993, but she is eager to welcome visitors this year.
In addition to her lovely antiques, many original to the home, Shultz also has many collectibles on display and is showcasing her collection of limited edition antique Overly-Raker Santas of McConnellsburg.
The homes in the Scottdale area will include Fred and Becky Dugger's home, where all will be treated to a Country Colonial Christmas. Every one of their downstairs rooms will be decorated with a theme tree, and the home will be accented with beautiful Christmas decor and antiques.
The fabulous, 11-room Abraham Stauffer home, owned by Carol and David Tullio, is a Federal Brick farmhouse. Also featured on the Christmas Elegance Tour, the house boasts six fireplaces and will be adorned with fresh fruits and pines for a wonderful, old-fashioned appeal.
Donna Gipperich is opening her majestic Victorian home, which was built circa 1900. This Queen Anne home will offer a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere while highlighting the stately beauty of the home and accenting the era in which it was built.
Another lovely Victorian home on the tour is that of Jackie and Rob Rabenstein. This home is circa 1890. Visitors will be treated to the wonderful, two-story foyer complete with walnut staircase and ornate spindles.
Karen Kiefer's beautiful family home is built in the "Arts and Craft" style, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kiefer and her family are the fifth generation to occupy this stately home. Visitors are welcome to roam the house and enjoy the stained-glass windows, beveled glass doors, and wonderful lighting fixtures, all original to the house.
The final home in the Scottdale area is that of Cynthia and Dennis Mulligan, a circa 1890 home that has been in Dennis' family for 85 years. This home contains a "train room" depicting the Scottdale of long ago.
Visitors can enjoy the train as it runs through "Old Scottdale" and try to pick out some of the buildings and businesses that once graced the streets of town. A camera inside the engine of one of the locomotive models, will give visitors an "engineer view," and individuals can see the train and its surroundings as if they themselves were the actual conductors.
"We will be serving cocoa outside," commented Cynthia Mulligan, and by "outside" she is referring to a lovely large side open porch that overlooks their outside train display which also will be decorated to the tour.
"We are having so much fun with this," said Dennis Mulligan, "and I think it will turn out to be a really fine tour."
Tickets for the tour are $15 per person and can be purchased at "Collections by Marty" or Fox's Pizza, both located on Pittsburgh Street in Scottdale. All proceeds will benefit the Scottdale Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call the chamber office at 724-887-3611.
