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Viewing Pleasure
Currents >>>>> viewing pleasure Architectural Jewels Adorned with Holiday Magic
By KRISSI MILLER West Branch Life
“The homes along Williamsport’s ‘Millionaires’ Row’ display some of the most amazing Victorian architecture in the world, ” says Cindi Perry about this issue’s Viewing Pleasure, which is brought to you by Victorian Christmas.
Perry, along with Peachie O’Connor, are spearheading this year’s home tour as members of the Victorian Christmas Committee prepare for the Nov. 18 - 20 event.
Built by the great lumber barons during the 1800s, these masterpieces of Williamsport’s lumbering era are sophisticated expressions of the grace and elegance when lumber was king. The millionaires that profited from the lumber boon often vied with each other to build mansions that beguiled the eye
and emptied a purse or two.
According to Perry, who is fascinated with Williamsport’s lumbering era architecture, a mansion bearing a Fourth Street address was nicknamed The Castle.
“It was the first home in the U.S. costing a million dollars, ” says Perry. When asked about the address, Perry explains it was reportedly demolished decades later by another owner in order to build Ways Gardens.
During the lumber era, “There were more millionaires living on Millionaires Row than on any other single street in the world, ” she says.
Today, these wonderful homes stand tall and proud between the 400 and 1100 blocks of West Fourth Street in Williamsport. Their architecture is a reminder of the beauty and charm of Williamsport’s proud past.
Victorian Christmas celebrates Williamsport’s Victorian homes and does so at the most magical time of the year. It is an annual event planned and implemented by the Victorian Christmas Committee.
Hard-working volunteers are responsible for offering visitors the unique opportunity to visit private homes handsomely and artfully decorated for the holidays. Each year, the hospitality of the participating homeowners is generous and tour-goers are warmly welcomed.
This well-attended event kicks off the holiday season with a special message according to O’Connor.
“It can remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas that is best celebrated with family and friends coming together at traditional home gatherings, sharing stories of their heritage and past memories, ” she believes.
That is exactly what she sees happening on the annual Victorian Christmas tours.
O’Connor has a huge scrapbook filled with the smiles, hugs and happiness of past tourgoers who come from across the United States. ‘Pointing to one photo, she smiles and says, “See these girls. They went to high school together almost 50 years ago and here they are together again celebrating the joy of Victorian Christmas!”
Another huge smile breaks over O’Connor’s face and she gets a bit teary-eyed as she remembers her own past Christmases and loved ones with whom she celebrated.
“Christmas is like that, ” she says. “So full of wonderful memories. ”
And so is Williamsport. The magnificent architecture is a stately reminder of Williamsport’s solid foundation in greatness and is on full display during Victorian Christmas.
Ricahrd Karp
