Candlelight House Tour c. 1973
The Historic Harrisburg Association annual Candlelight House Tour was the brain-child of Frank Pines. When he first proposed the tour to fellow board members we were not enthusiastic--but we were quick to share the accolades when the December 9, 1973, event turned out to be a rousing success. (Cost per ticket:$3.) . . . The blueprint for the early tours called for one renovation in progress, one Jewish home, an example of alternate use (The Bare Wall on that first tour), an apartment on occasion, several established homes and a church to host the public reception. Because people then didn’t decorate as early as they do now, each participant received a large poinsettia for the entry hall and the Jewish family got a blue, white and silver Hanukkah bouquet . . . (Interesting sidelight: The Shipoke home of Bob and Eileen Young was on the first tour; this year they are showing their Herr Street residence.) . . . The first several years of the tour were quite fashionable: men in suits and ties, the women in their Easter morning finery (plus furs). The Great Ladies of Harrisburg in long gowns and family pearls presided at table and poured tea or coffee for the touring public at a formal reception. St. Stephen’s was the host church that first tour and those of us on that first committee were deeply indebted to the late Betty Murray who showed us how to throw a fabulous reception and get most of the munchies for free! We did “the Murray thing” for the next several years . . . Amenities were soon added: a jitney to circle the tour area, strolling carolers, a full-sized program with advertising. At the peak of success (and having no ‘house tour’ competition) up to 1800 tickets were sold . . . the day ended with a dinner and get-together at the church for all home owners and volunteers . . . future committees would add to and subtract from the original plan that Frank had laid out and today’s event has been greatly expanded and changed; but for us old folks it is not the intimate event it once was. However people still bundle up and brave 20-degree weather to enjoy this Harrisburg tradition . . . This is HHA’s 36th house tour, and some wiseacre is going to figure out that there is a year missing somewhere; well, there is: One HHA board decided to discontinue the event. Members were dismayed and in rebellion. The “Old Guard” leaped into action and that year produced the “Snowflake” holiday tour. (If anyone remembers the date, please let me know; my living room was the site of this Les Miz uprising.) The general public didn’t know the difference and the next HHA board was quick to reinstate the celebration. And to show there were no hard feelings (well, that is putting it mildly) the profits from the Snowflake tour eventually went to HHA . . . (click the program to enlarge)
Very interesting; thanks for the history!
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