The Perry County Historical and Preservation Society is gearing up for its highly anticipated Christmas Tour of Homes, set to take place Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s tour will showcase eight beautiful and historic sites across Marion, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and architectural charm of Perry County during the holiday season.
The tour begins at the Marion Female Seminary, located at 204 Monroe Street, where attendees will check in and receive their registration materials. The Seminary will also host local vendors offering handmade crafts, holiday ornaments, books, cards, and delicious food, making it a lively hub for holiday shopping and festive cheer. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite and will also be sold at the door. Prices are $20 for Historical Society members and $25 for nonmembers.
Among the historic sites featured on the tour are the Lincoln School and Museum, the Woodfin-Nevin Home, and the Perry-Gerard Home, each with its own unique story and significance.
The Lincoln School and Museum, founded in 1867 by nine freed slaves, played a pivotal role in African American education and boasts an impressive legacy.
The school’s alumni include civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, Jean Childs Young, and Edythe Scott Bagley. Although the campus closed in 1970, restoration efforts have preserved its rich history. Visitors can explore the Phillips Auditorium and a newly renovated museum, which features an array of memorabilia and exhibits dedicated to the school’s storied past.
The Woodfin-Nevin Home, a stunning Victorian built in 1894, offers a glimpse into Marion’s architectural elegance. The home, with its wraparound porches and intricate marquetry floors, was originally owned by Edward Isaac and Roberta Foster Woodfin. Mrs. Woodfin, a community leader, started a Sunday School in the parlor that led to the construction of Faith Chapel, another site on the tour. The house has been lovingly restored and now serves as an Airbnb, operated by the Woodfins’ grandson.
The Perry-Gerard Home is a grand residence built by Dr. Samuel Perry. With its inviting front porch, French doors, and 14-foot ceilings, the home exudes Southern charm. Recently, it was discovered that Dr. Perry’s daughter, Fanny, who grew up here, later lived in the Lockett-Martin Home, another highlight of the tour.
The Perry County Christmas Tour of Homes offers visitors an immersive experience of historic sites, including homes, churches, and schools, each adorned for the holiday season. This annual event is not only a celebration of Perry County’s heritage but also an opportunity to support the preservation efforts of the Historical Society.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Perry County Historical and Preservation Society’s Eventbrite page.
