Three historic houses in Forest Park, Redmont and Vestavia Hills will be open for the Legacy League’s Christmas Home Tour Dec. 6.
This is the second year for the tour. League representatives said the group, a Samford University auxiliary, plans to make the event an annual tradition since last year’s inaugural tour drew more than 200 visitors.
While guests can look forward to seeing lots of seasonal finery, the houses themselves have notable backgrounds.
Construction on Dolly and Jim Walker’s home at 3603 Cliff Road began in 1910. Wesley Hall Gregory, president of Central Life Insurance Co. in Kentucky, bought four lots in what is now Forest Park from Robert Jemison to build a Craftsman-style fieldstone house.
The three-story house, with features including six unique fireplaces, different wood flooring on each level, beveled glass and built-in bookcases, was completed in 1912.
The house has been recognized by the Jefferson County Historical Commission. The Walkers have lived there for 25 years.
Dolly Walker said each room in the historic home is “lived in to the fullest.”
“It’s not about its possessions but its personality that makes us love our house,” she said. “Fireplaces, porches and the pool make it a house to be lived in, loved and shared on so many occasions for weddings, recitals, dinners, church events and parties.”
Much of the Walkers’ furniture and collectibles are family heirlooms, she said.
Tour-goers will see the setting for several of the family’s Christmas traditions. One of these, said Dolly, is “Christmas Eve soup and bread here, followed by singing carols around the piano, lighting the Christ candle and placed the baby Jesus in the manger.”
Each year a different family member is chosen for this treasured ritual, she said.
The house will be trimmed for Christmas with a collection of Santas, crosses, Christmas books, family pictures from past holidays, lights, greenery and trees.
“The living room is decorated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,” Dolly said. “Gold iron crosses, one for each family member, are placed above the mantel. One large gold ‘Christ cross’ hangs from an evergreen wreath above these.”
Red berry wreaths will hold garlands at each end of the mantel.
The main foyer Christmas tree will be decorated with large green, gold and red ornaments, Dolly said.
“The family Christmas tree stands at the top of the stairs on the music balcony,” she said. “It’s decorated with every possible ornament made by children or collected by us from years past.”
Another tour stop this year is the home of Samford President Andy Westmoreland and his wife, Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland, at 1994 Shades Crest Road in Vestavia.
The house was owned for many years by a former Samford trustee, Dr. Dan Merck, and his wife, Barbara.
Samford acquired the house in 2007. Renovations made before the Westmorelands moved in included the addition of a large downstairs ballroom with a view of the Samford campus.
The tour also features the home of Beth and George Simpson at 3100 Carlisle Road in Redmont Park.
All homes will be open from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. and 4- 8 p.m. Holiday hors d’oeuvres will be served at the Westmorelands’ home.
Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online through Dec. 4 at www.samford.edu/legacyleague or at the first home visited. Homes may be toured in any order.
Guests are encouraged to ride the complimentary shuttle to the Simpson and Walker homes, where very limited parking is available. Shuttle parking will be at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, 2305 Montevallo Road.
Shuttles will leave the church every 15 minutes from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. The shuttle will go from the church to the Simpson home, to the Walker home, and back to the church throughout tour hours.
Guests should plan to drive to the Westmoreland home themselves.
Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships for deserving students who could otherwise not afford a Samford education, league representatives said.
