BELPRE - The annual General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) Belpre Woman's Club Town and Country Home Tour will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Belpre, featuring four homes and two other stops.
Tickets are $5 each and are available at Neff's Country Loft, from club members and at any of the stops on the day of the tour.
The homes on the tour will include: the Cottrell residence at 168 Ridgewood Blvd.; the Hedge residence at 825 Campbell Drive; the Jacobsen residence at 1601 Washington Blvd.; and the Weiss residence at 908 George St.
The other stops on the tour are the Belpre Congregational Church at 228 Main St. and the Farmers Castle Museum at 509 Ridge St. The museum will be serving refreshments during the tour, along with exhibits including "Quilts from Past and present" and displays of Teddy Bears, Santas, toys and dolls will also be on display, along with the regular exhibits.
The Belpre Congregational Church, 228 Main St., was built in two phases. The main floor was completed in 1869, then in 1874 the upper floor was completed and the first service was held. The historical records of the church show more than 200 members at the time and the population of the area was fewer than 1,200 people.
The original church housed a rosewood and walnut pipe organ given to the church by the Marietta First Congregational Church. It was used for 58 years until it had to be replaced with a pipe organ which was purchased from First Baptist Church in Parkersburg. During the tour, organist Linda Toomey and pianist Kim Weiner will perform from 1 to 1:30 p.m., 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m.
The Joan Jacobsen residence at 1602 Washington Blvd. has been featured on the tour before but many changes have been made. The home features colonial/folk art decor, a Cabin Room with early cloth dolls, hand-carved wooden dolls and Izannah Walker style dolls. Other rooms in the home have Queen Anne- style furniture and many more beautiful antique dolls.
The Connie and Russell Weiss home at 908 George St. is a unique tri-level home built in 1974. It will feature Christmas trees in every room, including several decorated with homemade gingerbread ornaments.
The Freda Hedge residence at 825 Campbell Drive features antiques from several generations and collectibles ranging from glassware to furniture, including an end table in the living room which at one time was used to display spools of thread for sale in a general store.
The Bill and Norma Cottrell residence at 168 Ridgewood Blvd. is the third home the Cottrells have shared with the community through the tour. The home features three bedrooms, a large great room, formal living room and dining room, kitchen and breakfast nook with cherry cabinets and floors. More than 20 decorated trees will be displayed throughout plus many of the entryways into various rooms are decorated.
