Those who enjoy the history of old homes and Christmas charm might want to visit the Holiday House Tour sponsored by the Winchendon History and Cultural Center on Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historic homes, decorated for the holiday season, will highlight many different home styles including Colonial, Revival and Victorian styles, according to Don O’Neil, president of the Winchendon History and Cultural Center.
The tour of the 10 buildings will include three owned by the center. The Murdock-Whitney House, on Front Street, now the home of the center was built by the founder of New England Woodenware, Elisha Murdock. His company, which started in Winchendon and is now located in Gardner, is still family owned. The Murdock-Whitney House was donated to the center by family member Meg Urquhart, O’Neil said.
The Isaac Morris House was also on Front Street was built in 1780 and was purchased in 2016 through donations raised by the center. Morris was a businessman who owned the American House Hotel in Winchendon which was located at the current location of Cumberland Farms. During the tour the home will have five rooms of Wichendon-made toys on display including rocking horses, drums, and doll houses.The Murdock-Whitney House and Isaac Morris House will have guides on each floor during the tour, to answer visitors questions, O’Neil explained.
The Old Centre Church in the Old Centre was built in 1850 and donated to the center. During the tour on the lower level of the church, there will be a display of 10 tables set with china and decorated for the holidays to view. O’Neil said.
Other homes on the tour, will include the Orange-Whitney Home on Pleasant Street owned by O’Neil and built in 1896. Orange Whitney was a state representative, President of the Winchendon Savings Bank and owned a chairmaking business with factories in both Winchendon and Ashburnham. The Murdock Whitney House, Isaac Morris House, and Orange Whitney Home will be decorated with Victorian-era period decorations for the tour.
The Darling House on School Street was built in 1774 and belonged to Morton Converse’s grandmother. Morton Converse was the owner of Morton Converse Co. which manufactured wooden toys in Winchendon until it closed in 1934. It was moved from the Old Centre to School Street where it is now. Also included on the tour are the homes of Rose Perry on High Street built in 1900, the home of Rick and Suzanne Carpenter on Central Street built circa 1915 and the Father Tisdale House on High Street built in 1870.
Other churches which will be available to tour include the Unitarian Church built in 1866-1867 on Central Street which will have a choir singing later in the day and the Congregational Church built in 1843 which will have antique nativities on display, according to O’Neil.
Planning for the event takes all year, O’Neil said. He said decorating each home can begin as early as late October and though currently the homes are 95% decorated, “finishing touches will be added until the 9th of December,” he said.
Tickets are $20 and free for children under 15 and will be available the day of the event beginning at 9:30 am at the three history center buildings, the Old Centre Church, Isaac Morse House and Murdock-Whitney House. Those attending will receive an address sheet, map and a tour guide book
The Winchendon Historical and Cultural Center is always looking for volunteers and is currently in need of volunteers to accept donations, catalog, and to work in the resource room and those willing to serve as tour guides and clean the buildings. They center is always interested in accepting donations of Winchendon-related items. To donate items or to volunteer, O’Neil can be contacted at info@winchendonhistory.com.
Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.