Christmas House Tour
 2007

Sponsored by
Swedesboro Economic Development
&
Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society

Click the House Tour icon to view the tour flyer.

 

WHEN & WHERE

Friday, December 14, 2007 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm

Mostly Swedesboro along Kings Highway. Locations also in Clarksboro, Mickleton, Woolwich Township and Woodstown

TICKETS

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at any of the following local locations:

bullet Mugs Coffee House
bullet Needles and Pins Quilt Shop
bullet Mattioni Law Firm
bullet Trinity Episcopal Church
bullet Swedesboro Library
bullet Borough Hall
bullet or Matteo's Kitchens in Woodstown

THE TOUR ROUTE

The tour is predominantly along Kings Highway.  Starting in Clarksboro, you wend your way south on Kings Highway through Mickleton, into Swedesboro, then down to Seven Stars Tavern in Woodstown. 

Swedesboro houses are all within walking distance of each other along Kings Highway.  A couple are slightly off Kings Highway but still within walking distance.  Total walk is a little over a mile.

  1. THE CLARK-GARRISON HOUSE - 230 Kings Highway, Clarksboro.

  2. HISTORIC BODO OTTO HOUSE- 522 Kings Highway, Mickleton.

  3. JUNK RESIDENCE - 373 Kings Highway, Woolwich Township.

  4. HISTORIC TRINITY EPISCOPAL “OLD SWEDES” CHURCH - 1129 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  5. TRINITY PARISH HOUSE - 1202 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  6. THE J. HERBERT SICKLER HOUSE –1220 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  7. THE WALLACE HOUSE – 1226 Kings Highway, Swedesboro

  8. THE KATE TALMAN HOUSE - 1316 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  9. THE SAMUEL DYER HOUSE - 1318 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.  Adjacent to the Talman House, Only the exterior is part of the tour.

  10. “CASHIER” JOHN C. RULON HOUSE - 1428 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  11. NEEDLES & PINS QUILT SHOP - 1438 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.

  12. SWEDESBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY - 1442 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. 

  13. THE BROWNSTONE - 208 Helms Avenue, Swedesboro. 

  14. ISAAC H. BRADSHAW aka THE BLACK HOUSE. 1512 Kings Highway, Swedesboro

  15. ERIKSON RESIDENCE- Last house on left side of Chestnut Street, Swedesboro.

  16. SEVEN STARS TAVERN - Corner of King’s Highway and Auburn Road, Woodstown. 


Click on the picture above for additional Tour Maps

THE HOUSES

1.  THE CLARK-GARRISON HOUSE - 230 Kings Highway, Clarksboro.
A circa 1720 early Georgian structure with a c.1820 early Federal addition. The original 1720 room features exposed ceiling beams, a hand hewn sill plate and post and beam construction. The room also features natural wide-plank flooring and raised panel doors with original hardware. Jeffrey Clark, a Justice of the Peace, Magistrate and large landowner owned the property in the 1780s. In 1820 with the arrival of the first post office, the town was named Clarksboro after him. The c.1820 addition features a corner fireplace with original crane and a reeded mantel.  There are six over six windows, raised panel doors with original hardware and stained wide plank floors. In 1823 Dr. Charles Garrison and his wife Hannah lived in the house before moving to Swedesboro (Rulon House). Recent restoration has returned lost features. Owned by Michael and Jayne Johnstone-Hilferty since 1986.

 

 

2.  HISTORIC BODO OTTO HOUSE- 522 Kings Highway, Mickleton.
The property was first deeded to Nicholas Young in 1688 and was commonly known as the “Neat Farmers Plantation”.  The plantation was officially surveyed for tax purposes by Thomas Gardiner, Corrin Butler Sellen’s (current owner) first ancestor to the English Colonies. Joseph Young built the original 2-1/2 story stone building consisting of two rooms on the first floor, two rooms on the second with a half story loft. Today, the original house is the rear first and second floors. Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr. purchased the plantation at a Sheriff’s sale in 1772.  In 1776, Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr. joined the Continental Army as a surgeon, with a rank of Col. and served until 1781. Bodo Otto returned home to find his property burned by the British during the Battle of Saunders Run. Neighbors were successful in saving the house, but not the out buildings. The oldest outbuilding is the smoke house dated 1800. Dr. Bodo Otto never did move back in his house. He died at the ripe old age of 33 in 1782 of Consumption or TB. He died at the Death of the Fox Inn in Clarksboro.  Samuel Tonkin purchased the house from Bodo Otto’s heirs in 1798 and remodeled the house as you see it today. The remodeling was completed in 1819 and addressed the new Kings Highway. The “old Kings Highway” followed the high ground to the rear of the house as it faces today.  The house was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, after Bob & Mary Ruth Talley completed a comprehensive restoration. What makes this home unique is its architectural integrity, very few South Jersey stone structures have remained without major renovation; the 1725 section is over 90% intact and 1819 section 95% to 98%. Owners are Bob, Corrin & Elizabeth Sellen.

 

3.  JUNK RESIDENCE - 373 Kings Highway, Woolwich Township.
This beautiful multi-level home was built in 1961 for Bob Zane owner of Kingsway Motors (now Spirit Chrysler Plymouth Dodge).  Current owners are Vicki and Ron Junk. A few special items featured in the home are a 300 year old fainting couch and 3 rocking chairs over 200 years old each.

 

 

4.  HISTORIC TRINITY EPISCOPAL “OLD SWEDES” CHURCH
 - 1129 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
Founded in 1703, the present church was built in 1784 by the Rev. Nicholas Collin and his dedicated, hard working congregation. It closed in April of 1992 due to the failure of 8 roof trusses. It has been restored through New Jersey Historic Trust grants and the efforts of the congregation and committees. Structural engineers see similarities between the Trinity Church tower and Independence Hall. Built within 10 years of each other, the towers have an internal pyramid design, with sloping columns connected to horizontal beams by wooden brackets called “ship’s knees”. The St. Lucia Festival of Lights will be held at 6:30. (Please note time change)

 

5.  TRINITY PARISH HOUSE - 1202 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
The Parish House of Trinity Church, built in 1854, is still used for the Church Sunday School and various functions of the Parish. Note the ceiling medallion and chandelier in the original portion.  There have been two additions to the building to enlarge it. When a new roof was installed in 1998, the original cedar shakes were discovered under the existing tin roof. The ridge beam is a rough hewn timber. The building was financed by the Women’s guild of the Church as a place to have fundraising events, a tradition that continues today.   Tickets and Colonial Tea here.

 

6.  THE J. HERBERT SICKLER HOUSE –1220 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
This is one of three homes built by Charles R. Peddle of Philadelphia in Swedesboro. Make sure you visit the other home (Bradshaw/Black and view the outside of homes next door American Institute of History Education) to compare the architecture. J. Herbert and Elizabeth Cozens Sickler lived in the Poinsett house for five years.  Since the couple was childless, the house was much too large. So it was sold to Victor Molitor and a new small house was built and completed by March 1928.  The lot was divided, but Mr. Sickler retained the land along Church Run at the back of the property.  It was in this area that Mr. Sickler kept County Road equipment since he was Gloucester County Superintendent of Roads.  The house was recently renovated by Natale Russo to be used as an office for his business.  It features hardwood floors, an interesting mantle and original fixtures.  Local photographer Kate Previtera and her works will be featured and available for sale.

 

7.  THE WALLACE HOUSE – 1226 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
c. 1890 owned by Anthony and Caroline Granato has been renovated to accommodate MUGS COFFEE HOUSE owned and operated by Sara Carrara. This Victorian-era home has traditional front and back staircases, pocket doors, stained glass windows and restored hardwoods floors. Make sure to visit the second floor to see a tin bathtub encased in wood.  Local crafter Karen Murray will be featured here with her beautiful crafted handbags.

 

 

 

8.  THE KATE TALMAN HOUSE - 1316 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
Built in 1810, it is a striking example of the true brick Colonial with its recessed doorway and wide window-sills. Interior features include an open stairway in the entrance foyer, step down dining room and back servants’ stairway.  The Talman Family owned and operated Talman’s Shoe Store next door. Originally shoes were made by hand in the attic of this house and sold in the store. Purchased and opened for business in 2003, it is the present office of Mattioni - Attorneys at Law.

 

 

9.  THE SAMUEL DYER HOUSE - 1318 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.  Adjacent to the Talman House, Only the exterior is part of the tour.
c. 1812.  Often referred to as a “Trinity” because of its 3 sections, the structural system in the cellar indicates portions of the building predate the 1800s.  .  Owned by May Rogers.

 

10. “CASHIER” JOHN C. RULON HOUSE - 1428 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
This house was built c. 1813 with additions in the 1820s and 1880s. The interior reflects the Victorian period with elaborate chandeliers, center hall, staircase with lighted newel post, three level stairway and embossed brass knobs on doors and steeple-tipped hinges. During the Civil War, Army personnel were housed there as indicated by papers found in the attic. There is a unique and unusual small sink in the dining room used by Drs. Fithian and Garrison.  The house served as the residence of John C. Rulon, local entrepreneur responsible for the late nineteenth-century development of Swedesboro.  Members of the 12th NJ, Co. “D” Civil War re-enactors will hold a “camp out” at the site. Artifacts and progress photos of the restoration work will be on display as well as items reflecting the history of Swedesboro. The house was entered on the Register of State and National Historic Places in 2000 Owned by Edie and Al Rohrman. Jewelry artist Amy Blevins will be featured in the dining room.

 

11. NEEDLES & PINS QUILT SHOP - 1438 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
Adjacent to The Rulon House is a newly-opened business that offers everything you need to make a quilt from supplies to lessons for the novice and the experienced quilter. Owned by Marie Kinsella-Diddio.

 

12. SWEDESBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY - 1442 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. 
This imposing neo-classical building was built in 1914 on the site of the William Davidson home. The building is almost perfectly square and all exterior details are symmetrical.  The front of the building represents a Greek temple.  The entry features a classical floor mosaic.  When the Trust Company moved across the street, the empty building was purchased by Edgar Hurff, owner of the Hurff Food Company.  Mr. Hurff then donated the building to the Borough for a library in 1944.  Features include the original wooden circulation desk handcrafted by Martin Schorn; many photographs of old Swedesboro and a Civil War Sword.  Also, for this evening, Harpist Richard Carlton will be performing from 4:00-6:00.  Also, Glenn Rambo, a police officer and resident from Woolwich will be selling and signing his first novel Crossing the Line from 4-8. The library became a part of the Gloucester County Library System during 2005.

 

13. THE BROWNSTONE - 208 Helms Avenue, Swedesboro. 
This unique home is of block construction and was built by Andrew Rode c.1906. The land was transferred from the Edwards family through the Swedesboro Land and Trust Co. In the 1930s the property passed to the Morrison Family. A major alteration over the years was the removal of the wraparound porch but the interior charm and craftsmanship remain. Features include original woodwork and floors including stairway and newel post. The exterior is built of black with a unique style to the block facing. A Country kitchen and a collection of antiques from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Missouri complete the home. It will be decorated with Victorian Christmas trees.  Owned by Eric and Marcie Voight since 2001.

 

 

14. ISAAC H. BRADSHAW aka THE BLACK HOUSE. 1512 Kings Highway, Swedesboro
This beautiful example of Craftsman style is the 2nd of the trio of homes built in Swedesboro by Charles R. Peddle of Philadelphia. The home was sold sometime in the 1930’s to Harry and Mary Black. Harry Black was a prominent figure in the local bank here in Swedesboro Trust Company. After the passing of Mr. Black his widow sold the home to a nephew Harold Twiss and his wife Patricia in 1965. Harold Twiss was also a prominent figure in the Swedesboro Trust Company. The homes current owner, Mike Twiss, is in the process of restoring some of the finer features of this home. Take notice of a drawing done in 1974 by Robert Nelson. Also on display are the blueprints of the home. In the kitchen make sure to look at the 1965 pantry design. A beautiful Wisemen display will be featured. Make sure to look at the AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR HISTORY EDUCATION residence formally owned by Mr. Longacre then Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dupper. This is the 3rd home of the trio built by Charles R. Peddle of Philadelphia in Swedesboro. Currently owned by Kevin and Stephanie Brady.

 

15. ERIKSON RESIDENCE- Last house on left side of Chestnut Street, Swedesboro.
Built in the 1960’s this rancher will delight any collector. Stop, Look and Listen to the beautiful light display synchronized to computerized music.  A 14 different themed Christmas tree will be displayed throughout the house. Also on display is a hand-painted Christmas China by Swedesboro Resident Elma Davidson.  Many other collections will also be on display.

 

 

16. SEVEN STARS TAVERN - Corner of King’s Highway and Auburn Road, Woodstown. 
Built in 1762 by Peter and Elizabeth Louderbach. Their initials are set with the date in the brickwork of the chimney. It is supposedly the most haunted house in South Jersey. It features a walk-in fireplace in the original tavern room and a serving window for travelers on horseback. There are five other fireplaces throughout the home. It is now owned by Susan and Joe Frank.