Thursday, December 11, 2008

New Jersey Countryside magazine has voted the Haddonfield Holiday House Tour
as one of the top ten holiday house tours you won't want to miss.

12-02-08- Courier Post
Six decorated homes to open doors for Annual Haddonfield Holiday House Tour

10A.M. – 4 P.M. 5 P.M. – 9 P.M.
$15.00 in advance - $20.00 day of tour
Tickets available at:
The Haddonfield Information Center
2 Kings Court
Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033
856-216-7253

Presenting Sponsor:
Joseph McElroy
Professional Printing Services
116 Haddon Avenue
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
856-429-8644

Recognized as one of the Top Ten Holiday House Tours by New Jersey Countryside Magaziine.

Proceeds will benefit: Interfaith Caregivers

House Descriptions

1. 1125 Washington Avenue

This contemporary home, constructed in 1987, was re-built and renovated in 2006. It is designed for entertaining and to display an extensive eclectic art collection of Modern, Inuit and originals of illustrations from children’s books. Throughout this home, you will see significant Judaic symbolisms representative of the Festival of Lights. The dining room will be beautifully set for a Chanukah celebration. Collections of numerous menorahs and dreidls will be on display. Potato latkes will be frying in the kitchen for guests to sample.

2. 652 South Edge Park Drive

Put your adult persona in your pocket as you enter this delightful Christmas home and allow your inner child emerge to enjoy all the wonders of these extensive collections. The North Pole, with Santa and all his elves, will enchant with this village filled with shops and, of course, the necessary post office. Downstairs, from the sledding hill to the drive-in-movie, from the church-on-the-hill to the trolley through the town, old- fashioned sights and sounds will delight and will take you to a more innocent time when it always snows on Christmas.

3. 201 East Cottage Avenue

Built in 1889, this Victorian-Cottage style home contains a treasure-trove of the homeowners’ collections of antiques and whimsical decorations. The charming front porch carriage was originally an Atlantic City boardwalk carriage used from the 1880s to the early 1900s. In the kitchen, notice the coal and wood stove, typical of those used in most kitchens of that period. Also look for the tins from Castor Brothers, a major tea and coffee business in Haddonfield and Philadelphia about 1890. This is truly a fascinating home.

4. 500 Warwick Road

In every room in this newly renovated center hall Colonial home, you will discover beautiful objects to delight you. In the foyer, notice the oil painting, “Sisters,” by renowned impressionist artist, Cynthia Packard. In the china cabinet is a collection of exquisite limited edition Sarabella Christmas balls, elaborate glass balls hand painted and adorned with jewels. The dining room table is set with Flora Danica porcelain, hand painted in the 18th century of Johann Christoph Bayer. The kitchen cabinetry is Clive Christian. You will also be enchanted by the charming Family Room and Garden Room.

5. 309 Kings Highway East

One of the most historic homes in Haddonfield, this elegant home evolved from its origin as a small house, two rooms wide and one room deep. Some of the flooring is swamp cedar – a popular product at the time of the home’s construction in 1758. The cozy Family Room and breakfast room were added later. Decorated in a Williamsburg style, with abundant use of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and greens, the home’s warmth comes to life. Highlighted is the homeowner’s collection of Swarovski crystal.

6. 35 Chews Landing Road

This elegant Georgian Colonial, built in 1896, is a fine example of this period architecture.  Upon entering the portico, you will find a beautiful center hall with a grand staircase decorated in holiday greens.  Notice the crystal chandeliers and medallions located throughout the first floor, even in the pantry.  The living room fireplace has a cozy inglenook for gathering on a cold winter's night and the parlor houses a magnificent bar. The dining room will be set for a lovely holiday dinner. The family room, also called the rotunda, overlooks the garden. Don't forget to visit the "Ladies Room" which at the turn of the century was known as the cigar and card room. Everywhere you look in this charming family home you will discover items to delight. Upon leaving the home you will find a Porte-cochere, a feature of many18th and 19th century homes, where horses and carriages pulled up to allow guests to enter a protected porch.

Other Destinations

Special Edition Friendship Ball at Accent Studio 207 Kings Highway East, 10am to 9pm

Holiday Craft Show at Markeim Art Center, 12noon to 8pm Lincoln Avenue at Chestnut Street

Floral Arts Guild Gift Shop & Church Tour at Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Road, 10am to 9pm

Shop and Dine at Unique Retail Shops & Restaurants along Kings Highway, Tanner Streer, Mechanic & Ellis Streets, Haddon Avenue, Kings Court and Lantern Lane

Tour Courtesies

• Please respect the tour hours listed

• Absolutely no photography

• Please be prepared to remove your shoes before entering the homes