This tour offered guests a glimpse into four homes and one historic landmark.
Home decor is a large part of what can really make the holidays stand out in a community. To provide residents with festive home inspiration, the 53rd annual Cooks Tour of Moorestown, sponsored by the Auxiliary Board to Virtua Memorial, is held each year and features some of the most eloquently decorated local homes.
This year, the 2016 Cooks Tour was held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and guests were offered a glimpse into four homes and one historic landmark. During the tour, which was first held in 1962 and sponsored by the Curtis Auxiliary, visitors were given opportunities to learn about the history of the homes while admiring the architecture and design.
The first stop on the tour was the Varnell Residence located at 205 E. Central Ave. Upon entering the house, tour-goers got to admire a beautiful fireplace facade in the formal living room. Additionally, hosts and hostesses were positioned throughout the house to offer facts about the home and its history.
“This is such a wonderful fundraiser and lets community members see so many beautiful properties,” Cynthia Walczak, a second year volunteer hostess at the event, said. “It’s amazing how well people take care of these houses and that they actually live in them.”
Progressing through the home of James Varnell, eyes widened at the many sculptures and statues that filled the rooms, as well as the family room that was comprised almost entirely of structures and furnishings from France. This room also contained a large chandelier that at one point fell, damaging the room’s floor, but remained intact.
Next on the tour, the Moeller Residence, located at 209 Hickory Lane, had the music of Joseph Hoffman on the piano playing as guests entered. The Moellers purchased this house approximately a year ago and were able to pull everything together in a classic, festive manner for the holidays. Guests looked in awe at a wide variety of Byers’ Choice Carolers on display on the stairwell.
As the smells of the holiday season — including pine, cinnamon and cranberry scents — filled the house, guests admired a nativity scene positioned on a table in the dining room, giant nutcrackers in the window and many more holiday decorations. Then, in the backyard, a waterfall and fire pit attracted groups of people before they moved on to the next home on the list.
This third home, the Knowles residence, located at 444 Shady Lane, was the original Strawbridge House property. Unique from all other properties on the tour, guests immediately entered the home into what is known as the original Carriage House for the Strawbridge Estate. This room contained horse memorabilia and led to a room containing original horse stalls from the historic property.
“I adore this property because of the history behind it, and because of its link to the Strawbridge family and the horses,” Wendy Cranmer of Mt. Laurel said. She was accompanied on the tour by her daughter, Amy, of Moorestown.
Making their way upstairs, guests could hardly believe the home’s complete restoration. The second floor presented a warm, cozy feel while still embodying many of the home’s historic elements such as the structure. Weaving in and out of the many rooms on this level, guests took mental note of the many farmhouse-like elements of design.
Fourth on the list of homes, The Daily residence, located at 806 N. Stanwick Road, had its foyer decorated with a variety of floral displays, provided by the Moorestown Garden Club. Making their way through the home, located across the street from Moorestown High School, guests took in the beautiful wreaths and poinsettias, as well as an abundance of holiday decorations.
“I always love coming on the tour to look at the decorations, and to help get myself in the Christmas mood,” Susan Masiko, a Marlton resident, said.
Participants concluded the tour by making a final stop at the Breidenhart Castle Lutheran Crossings, located at 255 E. Main St. A historic and prominent site in town, the castle had two young violinists performing as guests entered.
Originally built in 1894, this used to be the private home of Samuel Leads Allen, a practicing Quaker and the inventor of the Flexible Flyer sled. The story is Allen originally bought the home so his granddaughter could sled across the street on Stokes Hill.
Built of Pennsylvania limestone and Indiana sandstone trimmings, this tudor gothic castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It was purchased in 1920 by Eldridge R. Johnson, the inventor of the Victor Talking Machine Company.
Rumor has it that Johnson’s wife did not care for the castle, and she was happy to move out upon her husband’s death. She sold the home and 12 acres to Lutheran Home, now Lutheran Crossing, in 1947. The residential senior health care community is now filled with character and rich heritage as it provides nursing care, rehabilitation care and assisted living care to more than 200 residents.
Ultimately, as a result of this year’s tour, proceeds were able to impact the lives of patients at Virtua in Mt. Holly for facility renovations, new technologies in cancer treatment, cardiac care and more. In particular, this year’s event was designed to raise funds to support oncology services at Virtua Memorial.
For more information about the tour, visit http://foundation.virtua.org/cooks-tour or call (856) 355–0830.
