Candlelight Tour Of Homes Showcases Local Residences

By Kayleigh Shoemaker

Middle Stew Reporter

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The streets of Murfreesboro were reminiscent of Halloween night on Dec. 1 during the "Candlelight Tour of Homes", sponsored by the Oaklands Historic House Museum.

(Photo: Oaklands Historic House Museum)

            The self-guided tour, open from 4-8 p.m., leads visitors around to seven Murfreesboro homes, including the Oaklands house located at 900 North Maney Ave. The private homes were all within walking distance from one another. This year the private homeowner participants included Mary Catherine and David Sevier at 138 Cherry Lane; Susan and Phil Lord at 152 Cherry Lane; Tammie and Greg Waldron at 148 Cherry Lane; Charlene and Ron Taylor at 816 East Main St.; Marietta and Jim Bishop at 1103 East Main St.; and Pat and Matt Ward at 1019 East Main St.

            Once the tickets are purchased at the Oaklands House visitor’s center, a card is given to each visitor, allowing access into each of the homes. The homes on the tour could be identified by the large signs out front, as well as the candles lining the walkways. The private homes date from about 1900 to the late 1940s. Each home was nicely decorated, either with period pieces or more modern pieces, and most had their Christmas decorations up for visitors. The Taylors’ home even had carolers on the front porch, greeting visitors with Christmas cheer as they approached the home.

            The Oaklands House was built around 1818 and was at the center of a 1,500 acre plantation. In the following years, many additions were made to the house. The home played an integral role in the Civil War during the time that Major Lewis Maney and his wife, Rachel Adaline, were owners. During the tour, there were docents in period clothing in each room giving a history of how the house was used. Outside, there were also men dressed in Civil War uniforms explaining the significance of the home during the battles that took place in the Murfreesboro area. Refreshments were provided, and photos with Santa were available for purchase as well.

            The "Candlelight Tour of Homes" is the Oaklands Historic House Museum’s large annual fundraiser. According to Education Director Mary Beth Nevills, the museum has been doing the "Candlelight Tour" for about 30 years. She estimated that this year the museum had more than 1,200 visitors attend the event. Nevills said that the decision as to what homes to use for the event is “as simple as asking the public who would like to volunteer and open their homes for the tour.” The homes included in the tour vary each year.

            “The Candlelight tour has grown a little every year,” said Nevills. “A lot of people have made it their Christmas tradition.”

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