Three historic homes in North Georgia will be open for candlelight tours that evoke their Civil War-era heritage this weekend.
Christmas by Candlelight at the Vann House
It was 1805 when Cherokee Chief James Vann opened his new brick mansion to the Moravian missionaries to hold one of the first Christmas celebrations in the Cherokee Nation. To honor this tradition, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of a 19th-century Christmas in one of America's best-preserved Cherokee Indian homes. The home boasts beautiful hand carvings, a "floating" staircase, a 12-foot mantel and fine antiques.
Event hours are 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10. The Chief Vann House Historic Site is at 82 Highway 225 N., about 3 miles west of Chatsworth at 225's intersection with Highway 52-A.
Admission is $6.50 for adults, $6 for seniors 62+ and $5.50 for youths 6-17.
The site is also open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday, with the last tour starting at 4:15 p.m.
For more information, call 706-695-2598 or visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/ChiefVannHouse.
The Marsh House in LaFayette welcomes actors from Hollywood and New York to the set of "The Crickets Dance."Christmas Candlelight Tours at Marsh House
The Marsh House, 308 N. Main St. in LaFayette, is in its second of three weekends devoted to candlelight tours.
Tours are set in the late 19th century, with the theme "Christmas Eve 1890: Years of Prosperity." The antebellum home is decorated in period style, and actors from Back Alley Productions will offer historically accurate character reenactments during the evenings. In addition to learning about the history of the Marsh House in this holiday atmosphere, visitors may enjoy refreshments and decorate ornaments to take home.
Event hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11, and again Dec. 17-18.
Cost is $5 general admission, $1 for children 12 and younger.
The Marsh House also is open for tours from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Photos with Santa will be made Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, between 1:30 and 4 p.m. (see more on Page H18).
For more information, call 706-638-5187 or visit www.marshhouseoflafay ette.com.
Historic Gordon-Lee Mansion is the site of the Blue & Gray Barbecue and Festival in Chickamauga, Ga.Candlelight Tours at Gordon-Lee Mansion
The second of two weekends of candlelight tours is Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, coinciding with Christmas in the Streets in Chickamauga (see a story on Page H21).
The self-guided tours include musical entertainment and homemade cookies and hot apple cider served in the warming kitchen. The home is illuminated by dozens of candles in each room and decorated with fresh flowers and greenery, including handmade wreaths and garlands typical of the antebellum period.
The Gordon-Lee Mansion, 217 Cove Road, also is open Saturdays in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as during special events in Chickamauga (Down Home Days in May and the Blue & Gray BBQ in September).
Cost is $5 for adults, $1 for children 12 and younger.
For more information, call 423-488-0861 or visit www.friendsofthegordonleemansion.org.