This year’s Candlelight Tour, sponsored by the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, is getting ready for its big day this coming December, with interesting and historic houses on board for viewing by the public. As usual, the tour will commence at the beautiful historic headquarters of the Historical Society, the Captain David Crawford House in the Newburgh Historic District. The Society will have decorated the Crawford House with beautiful natural greens, fruits, holly, wreaths, trees, flowers, ribbons and bows. The decorations are selected to represent how a family like the Crawfords might have presented their house to the public during a Christmas and holiday season back in the 1800’s. Each fireplace—and there are several in this beautiful home—is decorated with a separate display of natural greens and flowers. The dining room becomes a haven for homemade candy-trees and sugar cookies. The magnificent cantilevered staircase will be entwined with ropes of garlands and bows creating a dramatic sweeping presence in the main hallway.

This year’s tour will include 10 different homes each selected for a different reason, says Russell Lange, a member of the tour’s organization committee. “Either they’re architecturally important, or they have a fabulous view of the river, or perhaps they’re on fabulous grounds. The person that currently lives there could be an artist or someone who has a wonderful collection; there are all different reasons why we would include someone.”

The tour will begin at 12:00 on Sunday, December 11 and will last until 5:00. The houses are grouped in clusters so one can park in close by and visit several houses and then drive to see another group. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door of the Capt. David Crawford House, 189 Montgomery Street, Newburgh.
To purchase tickets online, please visit the website at: http://www.newburghhistoricalsociety.com/events/candlelight-tour-of-homes/