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Brownsville tour showcases houses

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Among the buildings on the holiday house tour in Brownsville’s historic Northside is the home at 103 Barnett Ave., which is fully constructed of recycled materials from razed structures in the area.

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The home at 300 Front St. in Brownsville was built in 1855 by Congressman John Littleton Dawson.

The Brownsville Northside Beautification Committee will showcase its neighborhood Dec. 10 and 11 when doors open on seven festively decorated homes to raise money for community projects in the historic district.

This year’s self-guided tour will include three properties that are new to the biannual event: 300 Front St., 103 Barnett Ave., and 502 Market St.

The Front Street home was built in 1855 by Congressman John Littleton Dawson and later served as the residence for Adam Jacobs, a riverboat captain and boat builder, and the Robinson family, local merchants.

The Barnett Avenue home is fully constructed of recycled materials from razed structures in the area. Built by “Gypsy Steve” and “Uncle Charlie” for a local businessman in the 1970s, unusual features include marble, slate and wood from torndown structures in Brownsville, Belle Vernon and Washington, beams from long-gone schools and bathtubs from a now-demolished early-20th century hotel.

The third stop is Market Street Emporium, built in 1902 and is now an eclectic retail shop, which will extend its business hours for the tour.

The tour also includes a collection of 19th-century homes built by some of Brownsville’s wealthiest businessmen, whose lifestyles are reflected in the rich finishes and architectural embellishments on the interior and exterior of their residences: Tiffany stained-glass windows, marble mantles, beveled-glass windows, inlaid handmade parquet floors, grand and circular staircases, a turret and mid-1800s “painted glass” window. The period homes are 131 Front St., 209 Front St., 212 Front St. and 514 Market St.

Decorating at some of the larger homes has been underway since late September. The varied interiors will feature Victorian decorations, live greens and a variety of themed trees and rooms, such as Western and hunting motifs at the Barnett Avenue home. Tickets are $15 per person for the self-guided tours. The properties will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets will go on sale 30 minutes before the start of the tours at Brownsville Fire Co. 1, 520 Market St. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

In addition, the congregation of the 156-year-old Christ Church Anglican, 305 Church St., will hold a special service at 7 p.m. Dec. 11. The service will be based on the first American prayer book written in 1789.

Brownsville Historical Society also will be conducting candlelight tours at Nemacolin Castle, a National Trust landmark at 136 Front St. The 22-room mansion will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, plus Dec. 28 and 29, and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 years old and younger.

The historical society’s candlelight tours kick off on Brownsville’s Light-Up Night, which will be held Friday. The castle will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

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