Local News : Fort to have 16th annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes : Sierra Vista, AZ

Today's Weather


Click for Sierra Vista, Arizona Forecast


Fort to have 16th annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes


Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 - 12:41:04 am MST

On Dec. 3, the residents of 14 historic military quarters on Fort Huachuca will open their doors to curious visitors for the annual home tour. Everyone is invited to come celebrate the holiday season as the historic homes are decked with holiday finery.

For the past 16 years, the fort has marked the beginning of the holiday season with the Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. The Fort Huachuca Old Post area, a National Historic Landmark, will be lit by the soft glow of luminaries as the public is given a rare glimpse at the interior of these homes. Annually, the tour has indulged hundreds of visitors who have enjoyed the opportunity to view not only elegant holiday decorations, but also the unique items that the residents have collected from all over the world, said tour chairwoman Amy Mangelsdorf.

The tour is sponsored by the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club. All proceeds from this event go back into the community through scholarships and disbursements. Tour hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Advance tickets cost $8 and may be purchased on post at the Fort Huachuca Museum, the Post Thrift Shop, Murr Community Center. In Sierra Vista, you can purchase tickets at the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and at Safeway. Additionally, you can purchase tickets from any Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club board member. Tickets will also be on sale the day of the tour for $9.

The houses on the tour remain as they were decades ago. The foundations for these historic houses were laid in 1883, after Gen. William T. Sherman approved the construction of a permanent facility. Each of the homes featured is named after an important individual who was instrumental in the development and planning of Fort Huachuca and the Army.



In addition to the homes tour, there will be a festive atmosphere all around the area as musicians fill the air with tunes and carols. During the event, you can take a break and enjoy refreshments of hot-spiced cider, hot chocolate, and baked goods as the joy of the holidays and the beauty of the scenery delights the soul. You will also have the opportunity to do some shopping. There will be items available to purchase such as Polish pottery, ornaments, baskets, jewelry and other post memorabilia. To add to the ambiance, B Troop soldiers outfitted in period dress will be posted at the entrance of every house on the tour. The fort’s historic museum and gift shop will also be open.

For safety purposes, carriages and strollers are not permitted; children younger than 10 years old must be carried in parents arms. Homes on the tour are not wheelchair-accessible. The Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club will provide assistance whenever possible or necessary.

Golf carts will be available to transport persons who are unable to walk the distance of the tour. No backpacks, cameras or video equipment will be allowed inside the houses.

For information about the Holiday Tour of Homes, call 459-2686.



Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comments appear once they are approved. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
Current Word Count:
   





    shuni wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:11 AM:

    " my eisy:) make me so proud!! "

    Sylvia Manning wrote on Jan 22, 2008 9:27 AM:

    " Hello,

    I am trying to find out what year Glenn Hardin won an award at the Bisbee Poetry Festival. Can you help?

    Sylvia Manning
    sylviamanning@yahoo.com
    "

    Harry P. Wolfe wrote on Dec 17, 2007 5:35 AM:

    " What a coincidence reading your story about the Bisbee poetry festival. Just last night I was telling a friend that I had heard Lawrence Ferlinghetti read his poetry at the Bisbee Poetry festival in 1979. It was a wonderful weekend mingling with poets. I am glad the tradition was revived in 2006. "

    William Mullen wrote on Nov 16, 2007 9:18 PM:

    " I had the pleasure of working with Jason Barringer while we were both on active duty in California. If there was ever a Marine that I would want by my side, it would be Jason. Confident and a born leader, he always took care of those around him and brought out the best in all Marines he encountered. Semper Fi MAC "

Community Videos



Additional recent videos can be viewed here


Use the arrows on each side of the player to for the next/previous video

Lastest U.S. Videos


In Tomorrow's Herald


Sierra Vista City Council news; Thanksgiving turkey boxes make their way to those most needy.

Subscribe Today!

Photo Galleries

Contact Us


Staff Directory

Community


More community news

Obituaries

More obituaries

For the Record

More police logs

Advertisement




Reader Poll



Calendar

Upcoming Events:

Faith and Spirituality