Historic Waco Foundation's house museums getting in the Christmas spirit
By Terri Jo Ryan
Tribune-Herald staff writer
For the past 40 years, Waco’s four Victorian-era house museums have given visitors a peek at the holiday traditions from a century ago.
The Historic Waco Foundation’s Christmas on the Brazos is meant to take visitors back to an era of elegance, warmth and Southern charm, when Waco’s 19th-century founders enjoyed the holidays with festive greenery and vibrant decorations.
“We have these historical treasures right in our midst, and we love to show them off, especially this time of year,” said Pat McKee, a board member of the foundation. “We are hoping that people think of house museums in conjunction with their own Christmas traditions.”
HWF will launch this year’s Christmas on the Brazos revelry with candlelight tours of the four house museums from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Each stop on the trek will also offer a “taste of Texas,” McKee said.
* East Terrace House, 100 Mill St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, will have jellies, jams, honeys and salsas from Woody’s Smokehouse of Centerville.
* Earle-Napier-Kinnard House, 814 S. Fourth St., will offer sweets from Wiseman House Fine Chocolates of Hico.
* Fort House, 503 S. Fourth St., will serve Starbucks and Texas Delights coffees.
* McCulloch House, 407 Columbus Ave., will provide Texas pecans and Russell’s Fine Candies. That home will also host live entertainment by bagpiper Danny Kohl and the carol singers of Waco-based StoneHenj, a Renaissance ensemble.
McKee said the homes tour costs $12, but an additional $13 grants visitors admission to another Victorian-era institution, the Dr Pepper Museum, for a gala set from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at 300 S. Fifth St.
Christmas on the Brazos will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9. Tour tickets on those days are $4 for one house or $12 for all four. Children are admitted for half price, and those under age 12 are admitted free with an adult.
Tickets are available at the Historic Waco Foundation office, 810 S. Fourth St. For more information, call 753-5166.
tjryan@wacotrib.com
757-5746
MORE IN WACO HISTORY: BRAZOS PAST »
Waco History ProjectIn My Opinion
Magazine
New issue!
- Check out June's issue
- Summer swimwear, great teachers, El Conquistador & more
- Link: View the magazine as a virtual flipbook
