New Bedford Preservation Society’s Annual Holiday House Tour

New Bedford Preservation Society’s Annual Holiday House Tour will be held December 14 (4-8 p.m.) and 15 (1-5 p.m.). For 22 years the society has showcased the city’s magnificent and varied architecture on this popular annual event, the society’s signature fundraiser. This year’s tour will feature the historic Acushnet Heights neighborhood, winding its way through the city, ending in the city’s West End. The self-guided tour takes approximately two hours to complete.

The starting point for both tours will be Gallery X at 169 William Street, in New Bedford. The First Universalist Church built this religious building in 1855. It subsequently became the home of the Frederick Douglass Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and is the only extant church building associated with this early African American congregation. Since 1994 it has been owned and occupied by Gallery X, an art studio, where visitors will enjoy a tour of this interesting Italianate-style building and the art exhibition on display. The Preservation Society’s Holiday Raffle and Silent Auction will also be held there during tour hours.

This year several residences will be shown that have never before been open for the tours; all beautifully decorated for the holidays. Unlimited arrays of design ideas abound in the varied architecture and interiors, which are as diverse as the owners. Visitors will also enjoy the costumed historic portrayals, which will take place at one of the residences. Tickets are $19 (with $2 discount to society members) if purchased in advance. All tickets are $23 on the days of the event.

Discounted tickets will go on sale mid-November at the following presale ticket locations: in New Bedford at the Arthur Moniz Gallery, Surrey Shoppe and New York Shoe Repair (credit card orders); in Dartmouth at Baker Books (relocated at 2 McCabe Street), Davoll’s General Store and The Ultimate Touch Nail Salon; in Fairhaven at Periwinkles; and in Marion at the Marion General Store. For further information, please call the New Bedford Preservation Society office (388 County Street, New Bedford) at 508/997-6425. Visit us on Facebook or at www.nbpreservationsociety.org for a look at homes featured on previous tours.

All proceeds will benefit the work of the society in its efforts to maintain and promote historic preservation in New Bedford. To those ends, the Society has undertaken several major projects including historical building markers, bi-annual historic house tours, historical cemetery tours, summer walking tours, a tree-planting program (Re-Leaf), the publication of self-guided walking tour brochures, lectures, and other efforts.