Homes for the Holidays
Tour to showcase homes and churches for two nights of festive décor, holiday fare and music
First Tennessee Bank presents Homes for the Holidays Candlelight Tour benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center and historic preservation will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. each night. Visitors will get an inside look into several Franklin homes and churches and enjoy the various styles of holiday decorations that exhibit the balance between historic charm and modern allure. The tour falls on the same weekend as the Heritage Foundation’s Dickens of a Christmas event, and guests are encouraged to come for the celebration and stay for the home tours.
In making the announcement, founding Bridges board member and historical preservationist Pam Lewis said, “We’re so pleased to open a festive collection of lovely historic and new homes along with several churches for a holiday candlelight tour in downtown Franklin. This tour demonstrates the rich heritage we enjoy in Franklin and highlights creative ways to celebrate, decorate and enjoy the blessings of the season.”
Homes and churches on the tour include:
- Phillip Catholic Church – Old Sanctuary, 113 2nd Ave. South
- Cumberland Presbyterian, 615 W. Main Street
- Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Avenue
- Ty’s House – Hard Bargain Association, 608 Mt. Hope Street
- O’More College of Design, 423 S. Margin Street
- Landmark Books, 114 E. Main Street
- The home of Lisa and Brian Beathard, 704 Fair Street
- The home of Kelly and Chad Dannenfelser, 315 Fourth Ave. South
- The home of Ann Johnson, 1211 Carnton Lane
- The home of Lydia and Tom Miller, 1328 Carnton Lane
- The home of Erika and Marcus Frazier, 1508 Holmes Circle
- The home of Rebecca and John Burns, 1136 Carnton Lane
“We’re pleased to celebrate the holidays while acknowledging the history of the Lotz House,” said Lotz House Executive Director J.T. Thompson. “The festive decorations will make the visitors feel as if they have stepped back in time with the Lotz family.”
The variety of historic and new sites on the tour will be filled with special collections and personalized décor that celebrate their own unique traditions. The Lotz House will serve holiday fare such as hot cider and Christmas cookies. Decorations in the house will be representative of the time period of the 1864 Battle of Franklin, with fresh décor of pulled cotton, harvested nuts, fresh apples, magnolia leaves and holly. The home of Ann Johnson will offer festive foods and feature her collection of antiques, salvaged barn wood floors and refurbished cedar beams. Cumberland Presbyterian will provide holiday music, period décor and a 25-foot Christmas tree. The campus of O’More College of Design will be decorated by its talented design students. The home of Rebecca and John Burns will feature handmade crocheted Christmas ornaments and a Crystal angel collection. Period costumed and festive interpreters and holiday music will be at many of the sites throughout the tour.
- Advance tickets are $30 per person or two for $55 and include a tour of all homes and churches. Tickets at the door on Dec. 12 and 13 are $32 per person or two for $60. Groups of 10 or more are $25 each. Please note that tickets are non-refundable. Tour patrons are welcome to split up the tour over both days if desired.
Tickets are available at these locations:
- Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Avenue, 615-790-7190, lotzhouse.com
- The Heritage Foundation, 134 2nd Ave North, 615-591-8500, historicfranklin.com
- Bridges Domestic Violence Center, 615-599-8064, bridgesdvc.org
- Westhaven Resident’s Club, 401 Cheltenham Ave, 615-791-9250, westhaventn.com
- Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 150 4th Avenue North G-250, 615-791-7554, visitfranklin.com
- The Shop Around The Corner, 117 3rd Avenue North, 615-599-1652
- FirstBank, 510 Columbia Avenue, Suite 106 at 5 Points, 615-435-2460, firstbankonline.com
About First Tennessee Bank
First Tennessee Bank was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country, as well as one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. First Tennessee and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE:FHN), which has 4,300 employees. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by Forbes, Working Mother and American Banker magazines. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com.
About Bridges
Bridges Domestic Violence Center serves women, men and their children affected by domestic violence, ensuring a safe transition to successful independent living through education, intervention and case management. More information is available at www.bridgesdvc.org.
