Editor’s note: second in a two-part series
This year’s Tour of Homes hosted by the Dublin Garden Club is slated for this Sunday and will feature four spots full of holiday spirit.
The tour will be hosted from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.
Historic and familial significance of the homes is part of the enjoyment of the tour and the Chambers home, located at 1609 CR 305, is one of the highlights, featuring a slew of decorated Christmas trees.
The 3,500 sq. ft. home is currently owned by Steven Chambers and the original two-room house was built by his grandparents in 1924. Over the next few decades the home was added on to and it now showcases six bedrooms and four baths.
The home didn’t have electricity until 1953 and didn’t have indoor plumbing until 1963, Chambers said.
“It was just a farm house for a long, long time,” he said.
The last addition was in 2003 when Chambers added on a spacious dining room showcasing the family’s name of Stroud as well as skylights and windows to let in extra light.
Each tree will feature a description accompanying the decor. Chamber and his cousin spend about 36 hours each year putting up all of the trees.
The home also showcases a quilter’s studio, a spacious kitchen decorated with Coca-Cola and a library.
“I love the history of it and just the fact that we have been here for so long,” he said. “Every single room has memories associated with it and family members. Nobody has roots this deep [much] anymore ... to say you’re the fourth generation of a family to live on a place, nobody can say that much anymore.”
Another home featured on the tour is 352 N. Grafton and is the home of Lee Cheatham and Jim Nossent.
The inviting home was built in 1936 by the Segals and was later owned by Charlie Harris, the owner of the Checkerboard Dress Shop.
“Ourhomeisaffectionately known as the Checkerboard House by many people in the community,” Cheatham said, due to its prior ownership.
On Jan. 1, 2019, Cheatham and Nossent moved into the home.
The home features an open plan with three bedrooms and will be showcasing vintage Christmas items and decor. One bedroom showcases Cheatham’s doll collection.
“It’s an easy house to live in,” Nossent said.
The renovated kitchen showcases a black, white and red motif with a checkerboard tile floor.
Since moving into the home, they have improved several things including redoing the home’s electricity and replacing the kitchen floor.
The Trinity Anglican Church, located at 459 N. Patrick Street, will also be featured on the tour and will be the stop for refreshments, in the church’s Fellowship Hall as well as the Ivie’s home located at 516 W. Travis.
Tickets are $15 each or two for $25. The proceeds fund the scholarship awarded to a graduating Dublin Senior. Advance tickets can be purchased from any Garden Club member, Dublin Floral, Dublin Insurance Agency, Titan Fitness or the day of the tour from any home on the tour.