Step into the 19th century for the 17th annual East Row Victorian Christmas Tour from noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the East Row Historic District of Newport. The tour will showcase seven historic homes, five of which have never opened to the public. The event will begin with the mansion tour where visitors will walk through the Queen Anne and Italianate-style homes that feature many original historic amenities: wood, marble or slate fireplace mantles, ornate staircases and plaster crown moldings. The mansion and other residences will be decorated in their best holiday finery. In addition, visitors can gather great home ideas from newly renovated kitchens, master suites and bathrooms along with several decks featuring spectacular views of the Cincinnati skyline.
The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been called “one of the finest urban historic areas in Kentucky.” St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, an 1897 Victorian Gothic structure at Eighth and Monroe streets, will serve as a rest stop and present a Christmas bazaar. For the convenience of visitors, a shuttle will make periodic stops along the route during tour hours. While the East Row Historic District might be easily maneuvered by wheelchairs, the homes on the tour are not handicapped accessible. Tour tickets are $18 per person and will be available at the James Taylor Mansion, 335 E. Third St., during tour hours. Advanced tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Echo Soup Kitchen, Holy Spirit Outreach Food Pantry and St. Paul's Episcopal Church Food Pantry.
