Saturday December 2, 2023
On Saturday, December 2nd, celebrate the beauty of the season with the Newtown Historic Association’s Holiday Open House Tour. Now in its 60th year, this tour gives visitors the opportunity to peek into several of Newtown’s unique private residences, all dressed for the holidays.
Besides the private homes, there will be multiple public buildings open for visitors. All sites are within easy walking distance from the town center.
Early bird ticket prices are $30 for members or $35 for non-members starting November 15, 2023. On the day of the tour, December 2, 2023, ticket prices will be $40.
The cost of a tour ticket also includes entry into the Half-moon Inn, home to the Newtown Historic Association. Once inside this beautifully restored 18th century building, tour-goers will enjoy period musical entertainment, hearthside colonial cooking demonstrations and more.
Tour hours are from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Advance tickets can be purchased at Newtown Book & Record Exchange, 102 S. State Street (beginning November 15) and online — available now! On tour day, tickets can be purchased at the Half-moon Inn, 105 Court Street and at the Stocking Works, 301 South State Street, Newtown. Children under the age of 12 are free.
Please, no picture taking or high-heeled shoes permitted in the houses.
2023 Private Homes on the Tour
Private Homes
Doan Double House — Jeff and Abby Menard
141 Liberty St.
Samuel Willard House — Eric and Jen Nicholl
116 N. Chancellor St.
Josiah Worstall House — Don and Linda Marshall
221 S. Chancellor St.
Horace Fenton House — Chris and Johanna Hager
237 S. Chancellor St.
Francis Erwin House — Barry Fleck and Mary Dinneen
127 Court St.
Public Buildings
The Stocking Works – 1889 :: 301 S. State St.
Anthony Petsis and Associates – 1807 :: 401 S. State Street
The Friends Home and Village – 1875 :: 50 S. Congress St.
Newtown Fire Association – c. 1901 :: 14 Liberty St.
Newtown Library Company – 1912 :: E. Centre Ave. and Congress St.
Half-moon Inn – c. 1733 :: Centre Ave and Court St.
NHA Callahan Research Center :: 100 Mercer St.
Historical Notes
The original Open House tour was sponsored by the Newtown Civic and Historic Association and was called “Christmas in Colonial Newtown.” It was held on Saturday December 14, 1963 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and the price per person was only $1.50. Seven distinctive homes in Newtown were featured, including the Homestead (1800) at 127 South Sycamore Street; a colonial residence (1740) on South State Street; the Quintin House (1801) at 149 North State Street; the Bird in Hand (1690) at 111 South State Street; the Georgian House (1830) at 111 Court Street; the Schofield House (1837) at 113 Court Street; and a Victorian house (1860) at 219 Washington Avenue. Other buildings included on the tour were the Newtown Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Christmas Alley of the Hanging Lamp on North State Street.
A carol and candlelight parade in costume was featured on Friday night starting at Washington and Chancellor Streets and street caroling on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. at the Bird in Hand. It was noted in the program that the Newtown Civic and Historic Association desired to acquire a historic building and if necessary restore it as a headquarters. The monies derived from the celebration of “Christmas in Colonial Newtown” were to be used toward this goal.
