Christmas home tour to give guests festive walk through history

In a continuation of a local holiday tradition that spans more than 50 years, the Maury Christmas Home Tour returns this weekend offering a glimpse into some of the region’s most recognized and historically significant properties.

This year marks a full return of the annual holiday event after scaling back last year in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Guests will be offered a walk through history, learning about some of the most revered figures in Maury County and the evolution of local architecture through the ages.

“I’m proud to say we are coming back strong with one of the best tours the Maury County APTA has ever presented,” said Adam Southern, the president of the Maury County Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities.

“This tour really has everything, from old to new and a variety of building and architectural styles, from Federal to Tudor, to a new build built in the Old Style.”

The tour features 11 properties of historical significance in Maury County during the two-day event held Friday and Saturday.

The weekend event serves as a fundraiser for the Athenaeum in Columbia. Completed in 1837, the building originally served as the rectory for the Columbia Female Institute and as the residence of the school's first president. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Proceeds from the tour ensure that the Athenaeum will be able to continue its operations, funding the historic site’s yearly operating costs and assets in ongoing restoration of the historic building.

“Remember to shop with our local merchants and visit our locally-owned restaurants while taking the tour,” Southern said. “Your tourism dollars make a difference in our local economy— thank you for deciding to spend some time with us."

Tours will be held be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning at the Athenaeum located at 808 Athenaeum St. in Columbia.

Tickets are $25. They can be purchased during the tour or prior to the event at the Maury County Visitors Center, Historic Elm Springs or the Athenaeum.

What will you see on the tour?

This year’s event features several homes and churches within and surrounding Maury County’s historic center.

The oldest properties on the tour were first constructed in the early 1800s.

Elm Springs

Now the national headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Elm Springs is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1837 by master builder Nathan Vaught. The property is located along the old state road that led from Pulaski to Franklin.

The property is also now home to the remains of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

President James K. Polk Home

Located in the center of Columbia, the President James K. Polk Home is the last remaining residence of the 11th president of the United States.

The house is a museum of Polk’s life, containing the furnishings used by him and Mrs. Polk in the White House and his law office.

Several portraits are on display throughout the house, in addition to China, silver, crystal and candelabra used for state dinners.

The home’s gardens feature English boxwoods and the fountain that once stood at Polk’s home in Nashville that has since been demolished.

Heffington Home, 6th Street

The attention to detail can definitely be noticed when driving by the exterior of this West Sixth Street home.

The house originally situated at 410 W. Sixth St. was constructed in the late 1800s. Records indicate it was mostly a wooden structure. It was entirely rebuilt in 2019 but the home continues to accurately reflect the original property.

Weaver Farmhouse

Located in Spring Hill, this house dates back to 1818, bearing the name "Brown Hall" named after Colonel Hugh Brown, a veteran of the Revolutionary War.

The home includes blood and chloroform stains in an upstairs bedroom, which indicate this house was used as a field hospital during the Civil War.

Grace Episcopal Church

Grace Episcopal Church was built in 1877 in a style of architecture known as Carpenter Gothic. The interior of the church is finished in walnut. Leaves and grapes are gracefully carved on the altar and rail.

Hughes-McKay Home

Now owned by the Parker Group of Baird Financial, the home was built circa 1890 by prominent local attorney, George T. Hughes.

An iron fence in front of the home is possibly the oldest of its kind in the county.

More: West 7th Street fence gets compete repair

More: 'A labor of love': County's oldest fence restored along Columbia's West 7th Street

First Presbyterian Church

Since its inception over 200 years ago, First Presbyterian Church Columbia seeks to provide a loving, caring community where people may worship and grow in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Tour attendees are invited to enjoy a tour of the church narthex, sanctuary, and gathering space, all festooned in readiness for the Christmas season. Attendees will also find a unique collection of Nativity figurines, handcrafted by late Columbia artist Nell Peebles, festively displayed in the gathering space.

‘The Federal’

Built in 1843 by Maury County’s Master Builder, Nathan Vaught, the home nicknamed “the Federal” stands along Carter’s Creek Pike. The bricks used to construct the home were molded and fired onsite. The poplar floors were sourced locally, as well. Each of the ground floors, it was learned during a previous renovation, has its own foundation.

Historic Rally Hill

Rally Hill is a strong example of the transition between the Federal and Greek Revival styles of architecture.

A private residence owned by Jason and Lauren Whatley, the home has not been featured on the tour for more than 30 years but now opens its doors for the tour.

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Christmas home tour to give guests festive walk through history