Friday, November 11th , 2005
ROCKWOOD CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR EMPHASIZES HISTORY WHILE REMEMBERING SARA MEE
ROCKWOOD– Eight historic homes including one celebrating its centennial, a Civil War Encampment
with reenactment, horse
drawn carriage rides, carolers, a bagpiper, hot roasted chestnuts and
"Pieces of the Past" character actors all combine to create an unforgettable holiday Homes Tour
in Rockwood for December 3rd and 4th. Civic group Rockwood 2000 invites the public to visit
Rockwood and enjoy the tour scheduled for Saturday, December 3rd from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and
Sunday, December 4th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Rockwood Home Tour has traditionally been the
major fundraiser for the non-profit group annually, with all proceeds going towards historic
preservation, beautification and sponsoring events that celebrate community pride. This year's
tour is being dedicated to the memory of the late Sara Mee, who played an integral role in
previous home tours.
Sara Mee was a member of Rockwood 2000's Christmas Committee since the inception of the Holiday
Home Tours in 1991. Her perpetual enthusiasm and work ethic are legendary among members of the
group. "The Christmas Committee has felt Sara's loss tremendously," according to committee
chairman Judy Wassom. "Our committee will never be the same without her. She was a dear friend."
Mee also played a role in the formation of Glitterville, the holiday home decor line which has
become internationally acclaimed and is based in Rockwood. For this year's home tour, artists
Stephen Brown and Bryan Wilkerson have designed a special edition Christmas ornament for the Home
Tour. One of the most popular ornament lines within the Glitterville collection is the whimsical
Flakes family. Brown and Wilkerson speculate that the Flakes may be headed towards an animated
movie in the future. These limited edition, numbered and signed collectibles are available while
quantities last at the price of $49.95 each and can be purchased at the O' Those Were The Days
Antique Mall in Rockwood.
A must see for the home tour will be the window of the Glitterville
studio in downtown Rockwood, which will be professionally decorated and displayed for the Home
Tour. "The Glitterville studio is located across the street from the Live and Let Live Drugstore, which
should be the first stop for visitors," advises Wassom. "Tickets can be purchased in this 1880's
era drugstore where you can still buy old fashioned candy by the pound and a Cherry or Citrus
Smash at the counter of the soda fountain." The tickets for the home tour include a map of the
fifteen designated points of interest. The tour is self guided allowing visitors to leisurely
stroll through the historic homes.
Eight historic homes will open their doors to visitors of the home tour. Celebrating a centennial
birthday this year is the John H. Patton house. Enjoy this extremely well kept home's design as
you say "Happy Birthday!" to owners Mike and Beth Snipes. Always a favorite of home tour
visitors, the Sewell Howard house will open its doors this year. Built in 1910, this local
landmark was designed by architect W.A. Geasland. Sewell Howard was the founder of the Rockwood
Stove Works, manufacturer of the famous Rockwood Range. Some architectural details include cove
ceilings, hand carved mantels, crown moldings and stained glass windows. New for this year's tour
is the Presbyterian “manse” or parsonage. It was built in 1921 by the First
Presbyterian Church of Rockwood at a cost of $4200.00. The first preacher housed was the famous
Dr. James C. Orr, whose tenure as pastor spanned twenty five years. When Orr first moved in, the
roads were so bad in Rockwood that his car couldn’t be driven, so he began his practice on
foot. Known for his compassion and belief in practicing what he preached, Preacher Orr was one of
the most remembered and beloved preachers of Rockwood. In addition to these homes, five other
remarkable historic homes will be open for the tour.
History will be a predominant theme for this year's tour. The 1936 Tennessee Highway Patrol
Museum will be open during the tour with retired Tennessee Highway Patrolmen on hand to answer
any questions. This museum was an original station in East Tennessee for patrolmen who were known
as "revenuers" during the Thunder Road days of Tennessee's past. The lobby of the 1937 Post
Office featuring the historic hand carved wall ornamentation will be open to guests and an
authentic Civil War Encampment manned by members of the Sergeant William A. Hamby Camp 1750 Sons
of Confederate Veterans and the ladies auxiliary will offer a visual display of life during
Christmas in the 1860's.
Guests will experience "Pieces of the Past" firsthand from other eras of history as well. Roane
State Community College Professor Joette Waddle will portray Febb Emsinger Burn, famed mother of
Harry T. Burn who cast the deciding vote for the 19th Amendment, ultimately allowing women the
right to vote. Harry T. Burn himself will be portrayed by a very recognizable Roane County
elected official, and students from Roane State Community College will portray suffragettes. With
the vote being equally divided on this issue, Harry T. Burn found himself a particularly conflicted
elected official.
In addition to this cast of characters, Miss Bess Wilson, an early 1900's Rockwood native, will
be portrayed by Christmas Committee Member Linda Fuller. Miss Bess was known throughout the area
as being "ahead of her time". A single woman who went into business operating a jewelry store,
she is remembered as always smoking cigarettes with long holders and professing what seemed at
the time to be outrageous opinions.
Horse drawn carriage rides complete with a guide will be available for guests. Every historic
home has a story, and this carriage ride is where visitors will hear tales of human joy and
misery that actually transpired in the homes. Carriage riders will be regaled with these tales as
they sample hot roasted chestnuts.
Other audible delights awaiting guests include Christmas
carolers and a bagpiper. Edible delights include the annual bevy of refreshments offered at the
John East House, where visitors can sample home prepared recipes not found in commercial
settings. "Many of our visitors remember the refreshments over everything else," laughs Wassom.
Tickets to the Tour of Homes are $12 for adults, groups of 25 or more are priced at $10 each. Visitors
are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance through the Rockwood 2000 website, or they can
be purchased during the Tour of Homes from the historic Live and Let Live Drugstore in downtown
Rockwood. Rockwood is in East Tennessee just off exit 347 on I-40.
Additional information on Rockwood's Christmas Tour of Homes is available on the web at
http://www.rockwood2000.com. For more information, contact Beverly Stroh by emailing
rockwood2000@rockwood2000.com or (865) 354-5116.
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Prepared by Beverly Stroh