Holiday house tours are popular items on this week's calendar. One of the longest-running takes place today in Marietta, Pa., which celebrates its 30th annual Holiday Home Tour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In connection with the tour's Civil War theme, President Lincoln, portrayed by James Getty, will travel through town by horse-drawn carriage with Pennsylvania's Civil War Gov. Andrew Curtin, portrayed by another re-enactor. They will take part in the grand parade at 3:30 p.m., along with marching bands, Civil War soldiers and other costumed characters. There will also be a Civil War encampment, a Civil War church service and a Victorian tea.
Marietta, in Lancaster County, is noted for its restored 18th- and 19th- century homes. Some of them are on the tour, which features eight private homes, including a grand river-front home built in the early 1800s and a home transformed from an old
stone barn. The tour also includes seven public buildings, costumed guides and strolling carolers. Other attractions include antiques show and sale, Lionel train display, silent movies, a ,, display of old christening and wedding gowns, a tree-lighting ceremony and a holiday gift shop.
Tickets cost $9. Marietta is on Route 441 about three miles north of the Columbia exit on U.S. 30. Call (717) 426-1432 or (717) 426-4389.
Old Town Alexandria events
Old Town Alexandria, Va., will be the site of the annual Old Town Christmas Candlelight Tour and the Christmas Open House at Fort Ward Museum next weekend.
The first event will be held Saturday and Dec. 11 and features five Old Town museums: the Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee, the Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, the Lee-Fendall House and the Lyceum.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ramsay House visitors' center, 221 King St., both days.
A free trolley will transport visitors between museums. Hours are p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for adults; $5 for ages 6 to 17. For information, call (703) 838-4200.
Fort Ward Museum at 4301 W. Braddock Road in Alexandria will celebrate a Civil War Christmas on Saturday. Soldiers and civilians in period costume will welcome visitors between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The museum will have a Victorian Christmas tree and other 19th-century decorations. There will be holiday music, hot mulled cider and cookies, and children can participate in a taffy pull. Soldiers will lead tours of the fort throughout the afternoon, weather permitting. Prior to the open house, there will be a free slide lecture titled "The Celebration of Christmas During the Civil War" at 11:30 a.m. in the museum library. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Both the open house and slide lecture are free, but donations are welcome. Call (703) 838-4848.
Delaware houses
The Delaware Art Museum Council will present its 10th annual Holiday House Tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The tour features 10 homes in the Wilmington area, including the studios of two artists and the former city home of artist N. C. Wyeth. The tour also includes holiday displays, light refreshments and musical entertainment at the Delaware Art Museum. Tour participants will be offered a discount in the museum store and discounts at area restaurants.
Tickets cost $14 and are available at the Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway. Call (302) 571-9590.
Eisenhower Farm
The Eisenhower Farm is one of seven homes featured on a holiday tour in Gettysburg, Pa., from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Another site is the Brafferton Inn, known earlier as the Codori house. Here you can see a stray bullet from the Battle of Gettysburg still lodged in the fireplace mantel. Cider and cookies will be served at the Eisenhower Farm. Tour tickets cost $7 and include a detailed map. Shuttle-bus service runs from the National Park Visitors Center at a reduced fare of $1.60 on tour day. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For information on the tour or a free brochure describing other
Yuletide Festival events in Gettysburg, call (717) 334-6274.
Upper Marlboro mansion
Darnall's Chance, the oldest building still standing in Upper Marlboro and possibly in the entire country, can be seen by candlelight from noon to 4 p.m. today. Constructed between 1694 and 1713, the mansion is thought to be the birthplace of Daniel Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and John Carroll, first Roman Catholic bishop in America. It will be decorated for the season, and visitors will be served complimentary refreshments. Admission is $1.50 for adults; $1 for seniors and students.
The mansion will also be the site of an Early 18th Century Christmas Feast at 7 p.m. Dec. 17. The feast, which will be served by costumed waiters, will be typical of those enjoyed by wealthy 18th-century Marylanders. During the meal, guests will be entertained with period music. The mansion is at 14800 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro. Tickets cost $40 and reservations are needed by Dec. 10. Call (301) 952-8010.
Gunston celebrations
Carols by Candlelight is the seasonal offering next weekend at Gunston Hall, home of Colonial patriot George Mason, in Lorton, Va.
Decorated for an 18th-century celebration, the mansion will feature musical entertainment from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Living-history performers will be celebrating George Mason's birthday, and there will be carol singing, refreshments and music all three days. Sunday is George Mason Day. A ceremony will be held in his honor, and former Chief Justice Warren Berger will speak at 2 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; $2 for students through grade 12. Gunston Hall is 20 miles south of Washington and can be reached by Interstate 95 or U.S. Route 1 to the Lorton exit. Call (703) 550-9220.
National Christmas Tree
In Washington, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree will take place Dec. 7. President Clinton is expected to light the tree at 5 p.m. during opening ceremonies for the Pageant of Peace Festival on the grounds of the Ellipse, south of the White House. Entertainment will be provided by Aretha Franklin, Metropolitan Opera star Jerry Hadley, country singer Trisha Yearwood, TV weatherman Willard Scott, the Marine Band "The President's pTC Own" and the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys from Washington National Cathedral. There will also be performances for children.
Surrounding the National Christmas Tree will be 57 smaller trees which represent the 50 states, six territories and District of Columbia. Each will be decorated by an organization from that state or territory. A Nativity scene, Santa's reindeer, a yule log and refreshment stand serving complimentary hot cocoa and cookies each evening are other traditional features of the pageant. Local musical groups will perform between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 24-25). The National Tree will remain lighted through Jan. 1. Call (202) 619-7222.