1The Historic Brunswick Christmas Tour of Homes last took place nine years ago under the auspices of the Brunswick Landmark Foundation.

This year’s committee has been working for nearly a year solidifying plans.

Committee member Sandy Dean said that a lot of planning, work and fun has gone into the tour.

The Dec. 5 event will feature live entertainment and, perhaps, some surprises, tiffany as well.

“A lot of the houses will have live entertainment,” Dean said. “There will be a live nativity at one of the homes.”

The entertainment aspect won’t be confined to the houses — carolers from various churches will be wandering the Brunswick historic district with Yuletide selections.

Committee members including Dean, Marijane Lawson, Toni Clark and Marilyn Houser, said that the featured homes will be decorated for the Christmas season and will provide people with hints for doing their own holiday decorating, as well as provide a glimpse into the past lifestyles of Brunswick residents.

“We want to bring people into Old Town,” said Clark.

A variety of architectural and interior styles will be highlighted.

“Most of the homes are within walking distance; the farthest one is the McGarvey House (1705 Reynolds St.),” Clark said.

There are eight sites on the tour, including five private homes, two bed and breakfast inns and the First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick.

Matthew Hill and Jack Waters, who own the Watershill Bed and Breakfast on Union Street silver bangles, are beginning to unearth their Christmas decorations, which include twin vintage Santa figurines that were “reunited” after many years apart.

Hill and Waters are encouraging people who want to hear the rest of the story to participate in the tour.

Their home, at 728 Union St., Brunswick, is a folk Victorian that was built sometime between 1860 and 1870.

“City Hall burned, so we don’t have the exact records,” Waters said, explaining that he and Hill had researched cemetery records and other sources to determine an approximate construction date.

Watershill has been featured in a home tour before, but never at Christmas, Waters said.

“It’s been at least 10 years since we’ve done one (a home tour),” he said.

The tour will begin at 1 p.m. Dec. 5, and is being held the same day as the Brunswick Christmas Parade, which begins at 10 a.m.

“All of the houses are around 100 years old,” Dean said. “And, the Presbyterian Church is one of the silver rings oldest in Brunswick.”

Tickets are available at several locations in the area, but if tour-goers wait until the day of the event, they will be available only at Old City Hall, Brunswick, where there will also be baked goods, cookbooks and crafts available for purchase.

Stops on the home tour include:

–1705 Reynolds St., The McGarvey House. This is an example of exotic revival architecture, due to its Moorish influence. It is thought to be the best example of carpenter gothic in the state. Owners: Mark and Yvonne Buss.

–1127 Union St., The Tupper House. It was built in the Queen Ann style in 1901 for Capt. Tupper, who was a harbor pilot and tug boat captain. Owners: Greg and Sandy Dean.

–1105 Union St., First Presbyterian Church. The building, constructed in 1867m provides one of the few examples of Gothic revival style buildings in the South. Pastor: The Rev. Dawn Mayes.

–503 George St. Early records for this Greek revival style house are lost, but the homeowners found a note stating the house was built in 1880. A previous owner collected chandeliers and many of them exist in the house. The claw foot bathtubs in all the bathrooms are original to the house and have been restored. Owner: Arlene Bolt.

–711 George St., The Story Book House. Built in 1923 for Hope Strong, the daughter of Judge Daniel Webster Krauss, this Provincial revivalist house is in a style popular with veterans returning from World War I in Europe, where they fell in love with quaint European country homes. Owner: GuyNel Johnson

–825 Egmont St., Brunswick Manor, also known as the Maj. Downing House. This house was built in 1886 silver bracelets by John Baumgartner for Maj. Columbia Downing. The 6,500-square-foot Queen Ann style home was designed by Alfred S. Eichberg, who also designed Old City Hall. Owners: Jay Anderson and Stacy Bass.

–707 Dartmouth St., The Spencer House. Built between 1895 to 1905 in a Victorian stick style, in a “T” with one gable facing the street, this house is one of six built by one builder facing Union and Dartmouth streets. It may have been built as a “spec” house. Owners: Jerry and Nora Sue Spencer.

–728 Union St. What is now Watershill Bed and Breakfast was built about 1872. This classic folk Victorian was built by Lorenzo and Marietta Oldham, and features a rocking chair porch, two parlors and embellishments such as antique chandeliers and a secret room. Owners: Matthew Hill and Jack Waters.

–824 Union St., The Carriage House. It was built about 1910 for Frank D.M. Strachan as part of his home at 822 Union St. The home was built in a mix of architectural designs, which was common during the 1910 era. Strachan used the carriage house to store his vehicles and as quarters for his servants. Owners: Joe and Marijane Lawson.

If you go

The Historic Brunswick Tour of Homes will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. Group tickets for 10 or more are available for $17 each, in advance.

Ticket outlets are:

–Brunswick — Daddy Cate’s, 302 Gloucester St.; Hattie’s Bookstore, 1531 Newcastle St.; Antiques Etc., 1601 Newcastle St., and Color Me Happy, 1426 Newcastle St.

–Jekyll Island — Jekyll Island Pharmacy, 16 North Beachview Drive, and Jekyll Books, 101 Plantation silver cufflinks Road.

–St. Simons Island — Fox’s Pizza Den, 249 Retreat Village, and Go Fish, 203 Mallery St.

–Darien — Chamber of Commerce, 1111 Magnolia Bluff Way, and Sail Fish Inn, 203 Broad St.