These photos are copyrighted. Please ask permission before using.
Richard Karp rikkisan.com 570.244.7131
Download the 2016 Brochure here.
The Harrar House
915 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: Fairfield Auto Group
Owner/Chair: Bob Esposito
Florist: Janet’s Floral Creations, Janet Johns
This eleven-room brick Victorian Italianate Villa was built for Lucy Eutermarks in 1870 as a wedding gift from her parents, Samuel and Emma Ott Filbert, and was perhaps designed by Eber Culver, noted Williamsport architect. The house was originally assigned 913 West Fourth Street, but the bride’s parents, thinking this was unlucky, had the house number changed to 915. Of all the homes in the Historic District, only two have remained single family homes throughout their existence, and this is one of them. Having been occupied by the Harrar family from the late 1890’s, the home was purchased from them by Robert Esposito in 1982 and has been completely restored to the way it might have appeared more than a hundred years ago. Since appearing on tour eight years ago the kitchen has been newly remodeled.
The Hartshorn House
419 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: The James Wood Company
Owners: Gloria Miele
Co-Chairs: Nan Young & Ashley Bogart
Florist: Lady Di’s Floral & Garden Art, Diane Franklin
Built in the 1860’s for Frederick Hartshorn, a prosperous mill owner, the house has had many lives. In 1920, following WWI, it became the Garrett Cochran Post 1 American Legion. In the 1950’s, a three story brick front was added for retail space, completely covering the Victorian facade. Gloria Miele bought the home in November 2015 and removed the brick addition and restored the front. The house is still undergoing renovation. Note the drawn plaster moldings that extend to the second floor and the curving staircase that has been cut up but still extends to the third floor.
The Community Arts Center
220 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: Ed and Linda Alberts
Self-Guided Tour
The restored Community Arts Center resonates with the splendor of the holiday season. The inner lobby features the giant decorated Christmas tree reaching to the ceiling in this beautifully restored art deco room. Visitors can also view the Capitol Lounge and enjoy the ambiance of the season.
The George E. Graff House
18 West Seventh Street
Sponsor: David & Heather Pfleegor
Owner/Co-Chairs: Robyn Hannan & Christen Ditzler
Florist: Nevill’s Flowers, Melissa Iseley
This blend of Gothic and Folk Victorian style home perched atop Seventh Street was built in the 1860’s. The house became known as “The Graff House” throughout the late 19th Century and early 20th Century due to community leader, inventor and businessman George E. Graff. He was a highly respected businessman owning “The Williamsport Sun” and later “The Gazette” and WRAK. Because he enjoyed hosting parties at his home, many distinguishing features adorn the home: hardwood floors, plaster architectural molding, original lighting, marble fireplace and decorative transom. The outside features with its charming side porch and hidden slate patio make this downtown home a gem.
The Carson/Welch House
941 First Avenue
Sponsor: Keystone Wood Products Association
Owner: Mary Welch
Co-Chairs: Ruth Grieco & Deb Decker
Florist: Lady Di’s Floral & Garden Art, Diane Franklin
Built in 1930 by Herbert Carson, this is a handsome 3-story white colonial home with center hallway and beautiful hardwood floors. The home is complimented by numerous family antiques and an original still-life painting by Severin Roesen. Note the brass chandelier located on the first floor, which came from the former Ross Club in downtown Williamsport.
The G. W. Crooks House
1600 James Road
Sponsor: Bastian Tire and Auto Centers
Owner: Don Lundy
Co-Chairs: Nicole Nardi
Florist: Nevill’s Flowers, Melissa Iseley
This lovely Vallamont home was constructed in 1926 for the George W. Crooks family, owners of the W.D. Crooks and Sons Door Company (manufacturers of fine hardwood doors). This French Country home, nestled on the hillside of a wooded lot, incorporates various unique architectural features: mansard slate roof, interior slate flooring and staircase, beautiful pegged walnut floors, a walnut paneled den and a floor plan which ties together multiple split-levels to accommodate construction on the steep Campbell Street hillside.
James V. Brown Library
19 East Fourth Street
Sponsor: Lewis Lumber Products
The James V. Brown Library was a gift to the city of Williamsport from James Vanduzee Brown, a prominent citizen who made his fortune in lumber and grain mills, and was instrumental in the founding of the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority. The Library was designed by Edgar V. Seeler and opened to the public on June 18, 1907. Entering through the Fourth Street foyer, visitors encounter the marble statues of Ruth and Beatrice Portinari which were part of Brown’s personal collection. The magnificent Moltz Rotunda Reading Room is part of the original structure and contains the stained glass dome skylight and recently installed wrought iron gazebo.
City Hall Grand Hotel
454 Pine Street
Sponsor: Airmen Heating and Air Conditioning
Owners: Tim and Sandra Butters
Chair: Sandra Butters
Florist: Special Occasion Florals, Karen Ruhl
Built in 1893 by Eber Culver, Old City Hall is no longer just for the commercial tenant that appreciates the eclectic late Victorian, Romanesque Revival-style of this remarkable landmark. In January, the building’s third floor was taken down to the bones and renovated into the very unique CITY HALL GRAND HOTEL.
Open showers, separate toilet rooms, sliding doors and custom-made furnishings give each room an industrial look with no two rooms being alike. Beautifully-restored photographs allow each visitor a chance to stroll through Williamsport’s rich history, beginning with our founder, Michael Ross. Each of the twelve new rooms is dedicated to a special piece of our city’s past, remembering the devastating floods, wars, and humble beginnings as well as celebrating the lumber boom, baseball, and those men and women who made Williamsport the city it is today.
This five-story building of yellow brick was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1976. For Reservations: cityhallgrandhotel.com.
The Artisan’s Holiday Market will be featured on the first floor and lower level.
YWCA
815 West Fourth Street
Sponsors: Brickyard & Stonehouse Pizza
The cornerstone for the majestic home of the YWCA Northcentral PA was laid in 1928, after a dedicated team of women raised $450,000 for construction in a mere five days. The centerpiece of this 70,000 sq. ft. Georgian-style building is the breath-taking rotunda. Griffins, gold-leaf and vibrant colors highlight this work of art commissioned and created by Marguerite Bierman. Take a moment to notice the marble thresholds, hand-carved wooden details and crystal chandeliers adorning the decor.
The Historic Genetti Hotel
200 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: Woolrich Inc.
In Memoriam: Mr. Lynn Womer
Built in 1922, The Lycoming Hotel stood 10 stories tall. Mr. Gus Genetti purchased the hotel in 1976 and worked very hard to maintain the elegant atmosphere. The hotel to this day attracts many notable guests and is still the tallest building in the city. Being located in the heart of downtown Williamsport, the Genetti is the premier place to visit and offers great walking abilities to many shops and restaurants. Victorian Christmas tourists are welcome to walk through the historic hotel lobby and take in the beautiful Christmas decorations while enjoying some complimentary
light refreshments.
The Thomas T. Taber Museum
Lycoming County Historical Society
858 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: Franco’s Lounge / Cloud 9 Restaurant
For Victorian Christmas, the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society will be alive with the sound of “All Aboard!” as its Community Room is enlivened with train layouts, an extension of the Will Huffman Toy Train Expo. Surrounding the room will be stunning artworks, the best of the Bald Eagle Art League. While you are here, view our detailed lumbering exhibits, the Larue Shempp Model Train Collection, the works of Severin Roesen, J. Wesley Little, Bernard Katz, and all our galleries and exhibits!
The Rowley House Museum
707 West Fourth Street
Sponsor: Wheeland Lumber Co.
Owner: Preservation Williamsport
Chair: Robert Kane, Rowley House Museum Curator
Florist: Special Occasion Florals, Karen Ruhl
This magnificent 1888 three-story brick mansion was designed by Eber Culver for millionaire Edwin A. Rowley and is one of the most significant Queen Anne Victorian Houses in Pennsylvania. From an originality standpoint, craftsmanship and overall condition this home truly exemplifies Millionaire’s Row. Nothing was spared by multi-millionaire Edwin A. Rowley when he built this imposing structure which features extraordinary Tiffany quality stained glass windows, beautiful cherry and oak woodwork, and extremely rare electric light fixtures. Only the finest woods were used befitting a residence in the “lumber capital of the world.” Admire the elaborately carved staircase in the main entrance hall, the dining room with its built-in buffet and the numerous fireplaces throughout.
Over the Bridge to Duboistown…
The Joseph W. Cochran House
440 Edgewood Avenue
Sponsor: Huffman’s Office Equipment Co.
Owners: James R. and Joann C. Ertel
Chair: Ruthanne Crotty
Florist: Special Occasion Florals, Karen Ruhl
Built in 1919, the Ertels are the third family to live in the home designed by architect Horance Trumbauer (1868-1938) of Philidelphia. Joseph W. Cochran and his wife, Nelle McCormick Cochran, were the first owners, followed by James W. and Arlette S. Crooks family. Nestled between the mountains and Mosquito Creek, the Ertels have maintained the original architectural features of the home.
Victorian Christmas 