Tour of homes to showcase Victorian grandeur

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The 26th annual Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 6 will offer participants a peek into history as they visit 10 lavishly decorated locations in the Historic District on Eureka St., Rogers Alley and Mountain St.

The self-guided tour, presented by the Eureka Springs Preservation Society, will run from 2 to 6 p.m., and as participants stroll from home to home, they will be treated to choir music, holiday carolers, band music, refreshments and Victorian merriment.

"This is a unique opportunity to experience the majesty of historic homes that still enchant, and to revisit the grandeur of a graceful era," said Preservation Society President Dee Bright. "You will marvel at stunning interior details, grand staircases, ornately carved fireplace mantels, sparkling stained glass, and wonderful millwork, all bedecked in festive holiday trimmings. It's a lovely way to begin your holidays."

Advance tickets are now available at the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce at 253-8737 and the Eureka Springs Historical Museum at 253-9417.

Day-of-tour tickets will be available at the Chamber at 516 Pine Mountain Village Circle, the Christian Science Reading Room at 68 Mountain St. and the Visitor Trolley and Welcome Center at 137 W. Van Buren (US62W).

A special all-day trolley pass will be available Saturday for $3.50.

Due to limited parking near the tour homes, parking is recommended at the Visitor Trolley and Welcome Center. The red trolley will cover the event's sites. The last trolley pickup to return to the Trolley Depot will depart from the intersection of Mountain and White Sts. at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. Children 12 and under are free.