Women of Walpole Deck the Halls for Inaugural Holiday Home Tour

Looking for some magical holiday decoration inspiration? You'll be sure to find twinkling lights, seasonal trimmings and much more to admire at the Women of Walpole Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The inaugural home tour will showcase six festively decorated Women of Walpole member homes, including several with unique collections and architectural or historic interest. The idea for the local event developed when several women attended a holiday home tour in Massachusetts, explained Women of Walpole members Mary Feeney and Tricia Houstoun. On the drive home, the women became inspired to try something similar in Walpole and within a week their plans were underway. They presented the proposal to the Women of Walpole board members, and it was met with enthusiasm as a new fundraiser. The homes are all very diverse, and "visitors can look forward to exploring a delightful range of homes, including a working dairy farm, a residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a custom-designed farmhouse, the coach house of a former estate and a modern home boasting a spectacular view," the Holiday Home Tour Committee wrote of the event locations. The Women of Walpole began as a social and community organization more than 30 years ago and in 2020 was registered as a state nonprofit with a 501(c)(3) determination. The civic group meets monthly from September to June and hosts collegial, civic, cultural and educational gatherings. "Our members are a mix of longtime residents and relative newcomers to Walpole," said Feeney, adding that she is one of the newcomers who has lived locally for only a couple of years. They numbered 48 last year, Houstoun said, and are at about 45 members this year who she called a "very inclusive group" of all ages. The Women of Walpole raise money for worthy undertakings that benefit the community of Walpole and adjoining communities. Any woman living or working in Walpole or the adjoining communities is welcome to join and annual dues are $35. "It's a great opportunity to get information out about the Women of Walpole," Feeney explained of the home tour. "I've met so many people through Women of Walpole and it's the most welcoming community I've ever lived in. It's astonishingly friendly." Proceeds of the home tour will go toward the Women of Walpole's continued support for local organizations. Some of the group's sponsored past projects include providing the annual holiday wreaths for the Town of Walpole, funding for family pool passes at the town pool, the holiday giving tree, camp scholarships, new window shades in the town hall, the Walpole Town Library building fund and donations to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf, Monadnock Center for Violence Protection, Walpole Historical Society and others. There are already more than 40 underwriters for the event, Houstoun said, including the lead underwriters of Savings Bank of Walpole, Walpole Veterinary Hospital and Len-Tex Corporation. The holiday home tour is only appropriate for ages 12 and up (due to fragile collections) and will begin at Walpole Town Hall at 34 Elm St., Walpole. Admission is $30 per person for both days of the tour. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check on the day of the tour at Walpole Town Hall or in advance from any Women of Walpole member (tickets are unlimited, so there is no great need to purchase in advance). Homes are not handicapped accessible or stroller friendly, although all rooms will be on the ground floor. On the day of the event, attendees will receive a map for the self-directed tour to each of the homes and an entry card that is good for both days and a total of six home punches, which can be completed in any order. Homes can be revisited for additional punches if attendees choose to not visit all six homes. "It's a ton of good cheer and a wonderful way to spend a December afternoon," Houstoun said of the excitement that's building for the home tour. "It will make you happy." For more information about the event, visit facebook.com/womenofwalpole, send an email to wowalpole@gmail.com, or call Mary Feeney at 508-397-2583.