Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 31, 2023) - The holidays are coming soon, there is a chill in the air, and there is excitement with the members of the Clifton Forge Woman’s Club as they present the thirteenth Holiday Home Tour, featuring homes in Clifton Forge and Covington. This magical event is on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 P.M. You are invited to tour all six lovely homes to enjoy holiday decorations and warm hospitality.
Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased from any Woman’s Club member, and at Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center and Livy’s Closet in Clifton Forge. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour at each home location. In addition to the beautifully decorated homes on this year’s tour, holiday refreshments will be served throughout the day at the Historic Masonic Theatre as guests are encouraged to place their final bids on auction items included in the Holiday Joy Silent Auction. The Holiday Joy Silent Auction runs from November 28 through 5:00 pm on December 2 and is located in The Historic Masonic Theatre Thomas P. Dean Underground.
Homes featured on the 2023 Holiday Home Tour are:
The Warburton Home, 224 E. Prospect Street, Covington, VA 24426
The home of Bev and Bill Warburton, located at 224 E. Prospect Street in Covington, was originally constructed in 1915 using repurposed 1880s oak woodwork from the Intermont Hotel located in Covington in the late 1800’s. The Warburtons have modernized the kitchen area and had paint removed from the woodwork in the dining room. They also added a full bath on the first floor. The home is decorated with eclectic furnishings and art forms. Bill’s travels have brought art works both from the United States and abroad. Bev brings many quilts and embroidery furnishings to the decorating scene. Come enjoy Christmas at the Warburton’s unique home.
The Hutchison Home, 1044 Cliftwood Circle, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
The home of Susan and John Hutchison is located in Cliftwood Circle, Clifton Forge where they have resided for 37 years. Their home is a modest ranch style with 3 bedrooms and 1 ½ baths. Throughout the years, the Hutchisons have renovated their home with additional kitchen cabinets, walk in shower, covered patio area and deck with a hot tub and pergola. They have an amazing view of the mountains from their front porch. During the holiday season, the home is decorated with a primitive Christmas scene on the fireplace mantle. The bay window is adorned with Department 56 villages and snow babies. John and Susan have vacationed for 37 years at Edisto Island, South Carolina and have displayed photographs of this beautiful island in the hallway. Throughout the house, you will also admire several P. Buckley Moss prints. Susan has collected snow babies and Willow Tree angels for several years, and they will be on display. She has also collected Christmas tree ornaments from various vacations, the White House ornaments, and many more including the Covington Women’s Club ornaments. The bathrooms will be decorated with a whimsical theme. Susan enjoys entertaining and looks forward to sharing their home with the public.
The Jenkins Home, 1022 Cliftwood Circle, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
The home of Dean and George Jenkins was built in 1967 by the late Jack Showalter. Located in Cliftwood Manor Subdivision just east of Clifton Forge town limits, their home has hosted many events for family, friends and neighbors over the last 34 years. The first level of the home will be adorned with Department 56 snow villages, nativity scenes, personally made floral arrangements as well as a variety of trees. The lower level will exhibit West Virginia University Santas with classic blue and gold to enhance the theme. The Jenkins family looks forward to sharing and encouraging joy throughout the Christmas season.
The Pyle Home, 952 Ingalls Street, Clifton Forge, VA
The home of Caty and Nick Pyle , located in the Heights area of Clifton Forge, is a brick ranch built in 1967. The Pyles purchased the 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick ranch in April of 2022, and have completely renovated the entire home. Leaving traditional décor behind, this home is a mix of cottage contemporary and modern gothic décor styles. Each room of the home will feature a themed Christmas tree ranging from a farmhouse theme, to the Grinch, to Harry Potter and more. Come enjoy a completely unique Christmas experience.
The Old Parsonage House, 409 Church Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
The Old Parsonage House was built in 1897 and purchased in December 1918 as a parsonage for the First Christian Church of Clifton Forge. As a bustling church in the community, the parsonage once served as a place for many church functions and hundreds (if not thousands) of weddings. As you enter the front door, the original woodwork and staircase help set the warm ambiance of a time gone by. The home contains five fireplaces with original brass fireplace screens. The home was purchased and renovated by John and Kimberly Fink. It is once again serving the community, this time as a bed and breakfast. The Finks plan to decorate the home for the holidays for the first time in nearly two decades. It will include several Christmas trees and traditional holiday decorations in every room. They look forward to sharing this beautiful home once again with the community and are honored to be doing it at such a special time of year.
Hillcrest Mansion Inn (built in 1910, 1100 McCormick Blvd., Clifton Forge, VA 24422
Merry Christmas Y’all. This gorgeous Edwardian beauty has shown itself for 113 years and is still going strong! Owner and innkeeper, Martha Crawford, has hosted many amazing guests there for the past 11 years. Visitors from all over the world have enjoyed its elegance—even dignitaries including our local officials, state Senators, and yes, even the White House.
Hillcrest is a working bed and breakfast with seven bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms; a formal dining room and tea room; music room and parlor. Upstairs there is a morning room with a balcony that overlooks our amazing historic town with breathtaking mountain views.
The Holiday theme for the Inn’s 2023 debut is “Tea for Two and Then Some”! Rooms will be decorated for an extravaganza of themed tea settings in a holiday flare. The featured 20 foot Christmas tree in the great hall will be decorated with a private collection of nutcrackers. The nutcrackers have the awesome responsibility of guarding the Christmas packages underneath the tree. Sweets and surprises await with tea, sugar and spice—and of course everything nice—for all.
The Holiday Joy Silent Auction will be open on Tuesday, November 28, Wednesday, November 29 and Thursday, November 30 from 10 am to 4 pm for viewing and bidding on the beautiful holiday décor items. On Friday, December 1 the auction will be open from 10am until 8pm. On Saturday, the day of the Home Tour, the auction will be open from 10am until 5pm, the time when final bids must be placed. Successful bidders will be notified following the close of the auction. Winning items may be picked up at that time or Sunday, December3, by special appointment between the hours of 12 noon and 5pm. Woman’s Club members and Town businesses contribute one-of-a-kind, stunning items for the Auction. The Auction, located in the Thomas P. Dean Underground, is accessible by either stairs or elevator.
In addition to Woman’s Club members, tickets may be purchased at area businesses in Clifton Forge and Covington or at any tour location on the day of the Tour. All proceeds from the Home Tour and Holiday Joy Silent Auction are donated back to the community to non-profits and charities in the Alleghany Highlands.
|  | From left, the Jenkins home and the Pyle home.
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