Collegeville's Most Distinctive Homes Open Doors to Area Residents Dec. 15th

The non-profit Collegeville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is hosting Collegeville’s First Holiday House Tour  on Saturday, Dec. 15th from noon to 4 p.m.  Tour participants will be welcomed into eight of Collegeville’s most interesting homes to see each home’s unique architecture and interior design style. 

This year’s tour contains a selection of historic properties, renovated homes, and new builds, including:

• Martha and Howard Kriebel’s home on Sixth Ave., which is a meticulous replica of the first brick home ever built in the US, William Penn’s 17th century “Letitia” home;
• Ruth and Walt Daller’s historic home on Clayhor Ave., which is one of the oldest homes in the Borough, dating back to 1779.  The Dallers have authentically maintained the main living area of the house and have added a stunning new kitchen and addition.  The original spring house can also be viewed on the property;
• The historic Henry Muhlenberg House which has been superbly restored to the period of 1776 when Henry Melchior Muhlenberg resided there by the Trappe Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley; 
• The Ursinus College President’s residence of Suzanne and Dr. Bobby Fong on Ninth Ave.;
• Beverly Redman and John Waterman’s discerningly remodeled Cape Code on Sixth Ave.;
• Debbie and Randy Riegner’s beautifully remodeled Collegeville Green townhome;
• Mary and Stephen Kyryk’s exquisite new build house on Clayhor Ave.; and
• Jack and Rebecca Allred’s charming “colorful” new build Claymont Estates home.

Each house tour reservation also includes admission to the House Tour Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at Appalachian Brewing Company in Collegeville Station.  Tour goers can warm up, enjoy appetizers and refreshments, browse a holiday bazaar and participate in a Silent Auction.

Cost of registration for the tour and reception is $25 per person. For information or to register, go to www.collegevilledevelopment.org or call Rachael Morrison at 610 454 1050 or e-mail her at manager@collegevilledevelopment.org. Once individuals are registered for the tour they will be mailed a tour book describing each of the homes, a map with all the home locations, and a paper bracelet to wear that identifies them as a participant in the tour.  On the day of the tour, individuals can visit the homes in any order between noon and 4 p.m. 

Funds raised from the tour benefit the CEDC, which operates the Collegeville Main Street Program and the Farmers’ Market. 

“The Borough of Collegeville, Ursinus College, and CEDC’s Main Street program have all been working for the past several years to improve our Main Street,” says Rachael Morrison, Collegeville’s Main Street Manager.  “Now with our new streetscape, old-fashioned light posts, banners, hanging baskets in the summer, we are inviting all area families to enjoy the town through our many events, to meet their neighbors and make new friends.  The Holiday House Tour allows them to enjoy an afternoon visiting local homes and getting decorating ideas and to complete their holiday shopping by buying locally from our art and craft vendors. We are looking forward to bringing the community even more events throughout 2013!”

The CEDC was created by the Collegeville Borough and Ursinus College in 2003 to provide direction and a framework to attract more businesses and advance quality-of-life for families in Collegeville Borough. For more information on the mission of the CEDC, visit http://collegevilledevelopment.com/