Madison Station Historical Preservation Society Chairwoman Marsha Willis (left) joins Madison Belle Raegan Masterson (center), Madison First Lady Dana Trulock and Mayor Troy Trulock at 19 Front Street, the planned “anchor house” for the society’s Christmas Tour of Homes. (Photo courtesyJen Detulleo JFD Photography & Design LLC)

By Charles Molineaux | For The Record

MADISON – After a lengthy hiatus, the city’s celebration of Christmas magic will once again include a Christmas tour of homes sponsored by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, society leaders said.

“We thought we would try to do it again this year,” said society chairwoman Marsha Willis, “It works in with all the other events the city is doing.”

It has been seven years since the society has offered a homes tour. To mark its return, Willis formally joined costumed “Madison Belle” Raegan Masterson, Mayor Troy Trulock and First Lady Dana Trulock at 19 Front Street, the Greek revival “anchor house” where the tour of homes will start. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, the tour will highlight historic treasures of downtown Madison on Front Street, Church Street and Arnett Street.

“Hey, a tiny treasure it may be but we do have a historic district and it is worthy of a beautiful Saturday afternoon,” declared historical society representative Lee Grimes.

Visitors to the Front Street anchor house will be treated to live music, said Willis, a feature of the tour to be repeated outside where members of the First Baptist Church will stroll the streets in period costumes singing carols.

Willis predicted striking examples of historic charm such as the Broyles-Hand house, in the same family for nearly a century, the True-Smith house, onetime home of Gladys True who, during World War I, started a custom of erecting Christmas trees in Madison front yards, or the United Methodist Church on Church Street, formerly located at Hughes Road and Old Madison Pike until the building was moved on horse drawn platforms in 1873. Plans for the church included a tea room, bake sale, a bell choir and a history talk from Pastor Travis Wilson, himself a newcomer but a history enthusiast.

Tickets for the home tour will be available starting November 12 at Hartlex Antiques, the Whistlestop Sweet Shop, the Main Street Café and at Madison Station Antiques. On the day of the tour they’ll also be available at the anchor house itself at 19 Front Street.

Charles Molineaux is an anchor and investigative reporter with WAFF 48 News.