Get ready for Holiday House Tour with Preview Party

Posted 11/25/15

8401 Germantown Avenue. (Photo by Pete Mazzaccaro) by Laura Lucas and John Phillips Chestnut Hill really knows how to celebrate the holidays. In just over a week, five Chestnut Hill homeowners will …

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Get ready for Holiday House Tour with Preview Party

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8401 Germantown Avenue. (Photo by Pete Mazzaccaro) 8401 Germantown Avenue. (Photo by Pete Mazzaccaro)

by Laura Lucas and John Phillips

Chestnut Hill really knows how to celebrate the holidays. In just over a week, five Chestnut Hill homeowners will open their doors for the 2015 Christmas Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 5. The night before the tour, an additional home will be open (and only that night) for a preview party elegantly decorated for the holidays.

This week, we’re going to spill the beans about the homeowners and hope that entices you to join us for the festivities. We’ll also share some information about the traditions this family uses to celebrate the season.

Our Preview Party is at the home of Richard Snowden and Fred Holzerman at 3 East Gravers Lane, steps away from Germantown Avenue. Recently restored, the property has rich history. In 1804, John Graver, for who Gravers Lane is named, purchased a long tract of land along what is now Gravers Lane. In 1893, his descendants built a stone Queen Anne home on this land at the corner of Germantown Ave and (then) Union Ave. Now known as 8401 Germantown Ave, this remained the Graver family home for generations.

HHT: A big part of the holidays are decorations and traditions. How do you like to celebrate?

Richard & Fred: We love the Christmas Season, really enjoy sharing it with others and are looking forward to welcoming old friends and new to our home. Our decorating philosophy is old fashioned and we collect Christmas ornaments, both antique and contemporary. Hopefully, many in the neighborhood will come and spend the evening with us on the fourth of December for what will be a terrific community party.

HHT: What’s your favorite holiday song?

Richard & Fred: Our favorite holiday songs are O’ Holy Night and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. You might hear one of those at the Preview Party as well as other Christmas and jazz standards by Michelle Lordi, who is a friend and regularly performs at Paris Jazz Bistro.

HHT: What else can Preview Party guests expect?

Richard & Fred: In addition to live music, there will be lots of hors d’oeuvres by Bacchus, a signature drink, Oregon sparkling and white wine. A ticket to the preview party includes one ticket to the Christmas-Holiday House Tour ($50 value), plus valet parking and a household membership to the Chestnut Hill Community Association for new members ($50 value).

HHT: Do you mind if we share the rich history behind your house?

Richard & Fred: Sure!

In 1910, the Graver family sold 8401 to pharmacist Harry E. Friebely who added a storefront and converted the first floor into commercial space. This was a common practice as Germantown Avenue was now a busy thoroughfare. In 1964, the property was once more altered to add two apartments and four storefronts to the rear along Gravers Lane.

In 2011-2014, the property was again redeveloped and restored. Street-level stores were extensively upgraded, with a façade of Wissahickon schist. The second and third floors now contain a new private residence incorporating the original 1893 building.

HHT: The current owners are ardent preservationists and drew carefully on traditional elements such as dramatic “Gambrel” rooflines, wooden siding, fanciful windows and distinctive slate roofing tiles to create a historically accurate example of “Shingle Style” architecture. This style emerged in the 1880’s and was popular in Chestnut Hill when the original house was built.

Inside, the period illusion continues. Incorporating the most modern conveniences, the interior also features Victorian elements such as a butler’s pantry, and formal library. Rich wood flooring, and period-correct paneling, doors and cabinetry create comfortable private living spaces and public rooms designed for both gracious entertaining, and to highlight the owners’ impressive collection of paintings and decorative art.

To get your ticket for this year’s Chestnut Hill Christmas-Holiday Preview Party, visit chestnuthill.org. Tickets are $195 and are available online or by calling the Chestnut Hill Community Association at 215-248-8810.

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