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Some of downtown Dover’s most historic and lovely homes will be dressed for the holidays and welcoming visitors Thursday, Dec. 8, for the 38th annual Candlelight Tour of Homes by the Newcomers Club of Dover.
The tour travels around the area, moving from developments like Windswept and Pennwood to State Street through the heart of Dover. This year’s tour runs downtown, stopping at recognizable venues like the Presbyterian Church of Dover and the Annie Jump Cannon house, which is home to Wesley College’s President, Dr. William N. Johnston, and his wife, Susan Johnston.
Some of the homes have been open before, although many are new, according to tour co-chair Mary Lou Bush. Bush said the downtown location makes it easy for people who’d like to walk the entire tour instead of driving here and there.
“You could conceivably park your car once and walk to them all,” she said.
One of the venues guests have enjoyed touring over the years is the State Street Inn.
Did you know the current co-owner of the State Street Inn, Yvonne Hall, bought the house from the doctor that delivered her? Or that the home has four guest rooms upstairs, all with a unique decor and with their own bathrooms? These are just a couple of the fun facts visitors will learn while visiting the bed and breakfast that’s a fixture in downtown Dover.
Hall said she and her husband Mike have changed the inn’s holiday decor so those who have visited on the tour will see something new. The upstairs will be open to guests, and the Halls also are opening up their private residence, which hasn’t been open to the public before.
After touring the homes, guests can stop into the Presbyterian Church of Dover at State and Reed streets for live entertainment, raffles and refreshments. Raffle winners will take home cash and/or an overnight stay at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The Dover High School Chorale group, Joe Salvia and First State Harmonizers will perform for guests mingling over refreshments.
All proceeds benefit both the Kent County Community School and the John S. Charlton School, both of which serve the special needs of children and young adults with disabilities. Over the past 38 years, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated through the Candlelight Tour.
Some of downtown Dover’s most historic and lovely homes will be dressed for the holidays and welcoming visitors Thursday, Dec. 8, for the 38th annual Candlelight Tour of Homes by the Newcomers Club of Dover.
The tour travels around the area, moving from developments like Windswept and Pennwood to State Street through the heart of Dover. This year’s tour runs downtown, stopping at recognizable venues like the Presbyterian Church of Dover and the Annie Jump Cannon house, which is home to Wesley College’s President, Dr. William N. Johnston, and his wife, Susan Johnston.
Some of the homes have been open before, although many are new, according to tour co-chair Mary Lou Bush. Bush said the downtown location makes it easy for people who’d like to walk the entire tour instead of driving here and there.
“You could conceivably park your car once and walk to them all,” she said.
One of the venues guests have enjoyed touring over the years is the State Street Inn.
Did you know the current co-owner of the State Street Inn, Yvonne Hall, bought the house from the doctor that delivered her? Or that the home has four guest rooms upstairs, all with a unique decor and with their own bathrooms? These are just a couple of the fun facts visitors will learn while visiting the bed and breakfast that’s a fixture in downtown Dover.
Hall said she and her husband Mike have changed the inn’s holiday decor so those who have visited on the tour will see something new. The upstairs will be open to guests, and the Halls also are opening up their private residence, which hasn’t been open to the public before.
After touring the homes, guests can stop into the Presbyterian Church of Dover at State and Reed streets for live entertainment, raffles and refreshments. Raffle winners will take home cash and/or an overnight stay at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The Dover High School Chorale group, Joe Salvia and First State Harmonizers will perform for guests mingling over refreshments.
All proceeds benefit both the Kent County Community School and the John S. Charlton School, both of which serve the special needs of children and young adults with disabilities. Over the past 38 years, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated through the Candlelight Tour.
