Reedville Fishermen's Museum

Christmas on Cockrell's Creek

    Christmas on Cockrell’s Creek will be celebrated this year on

• Saturday - December 12  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday - December 13   from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Celebrating the season with both historic and new homes festively decorated by the ladies of the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club.

   This year’s house tour features three homes in Reedville spanning over a century of design and three stunning waterfront homes on the Little Wicomico River. Two separate free boat shuttles will carry visitors from house to house – one on Cockrell’s Creek and one on the Little River.

The Morris House 826 Main Street  The jewel of Reedville, the Morris House at 826 Main Street, will be opened by Elizabeth Miller. Built in 1895 for Albert Morris, co-owner of the Morris-Fisher Fish Factory, this elaborately detailed Queen Anne mansion displays all the lavish richness of the Victorian era. Its spindle-worked ornamentation, delicately turned porch supports and scalloped shingles are painted in a variety of colors to bring out the exquisite details. The high-style Victorian architecture and elegant interior woodwork form the perfect setting for Elizabeth’s antiques and art collections. It will be decorated to a fare-thee-well in Elizabeth’s own inimitable style. A special treat at Christmas time.

The Capt. Frank Haynie House 375 Main Street This yellow clapboard Dutch Colonial house was built in 1930 for Capt. Frank Haynie, a menhaden fish boat captain. It was purchased from the family by Skip and Cheryl McPherson a few years ago, and they have restored it to bring out its lovely Colonial Revival interior woodwork and show off the large bright rooms. Cheryl has created a cozy homey feel with country antiques and accessories including her wonderful quilts. A talented artist, she has also added whimsical wall murals and ceiling paintings. Look for them in unusual places!

The Atwood Cottage 428 Sutton Avenue Across the creek from the Masonic Temple is the Atwood Cottage. Debra and Bill Atwood have introduced a serene contemporary look to their Reedville home. A professional interior designer, Debra has employed a color palette which reflects the creekside setting and brings inside the colors of the sky, water and land. Simple contemporary furniture completes the stunning theme in this sophisticated and delightful cottage.

The Pyszka Home 361 Canvasback Drive, Ophelia Over on the Little Wicomico River at Jetty’s Reach in Ophelia, is the home of Deb and Bill Pyszka. Built in 2007, this expansive and open creekfront home was designed to fit their active retired lifestyle. Bill has an office with the best view in town, and Deb has a sewing center for her home business Stitches Galore, where she makes custom canvas covers and window treatments. Deb loves to decorate for the seasons, and Christmas is her tour de force. The entire house will be a showcase for Deb’s collections of new and antique family pieces, teddy bears, and themed trees displaying ornaments and collectibles.

The Carey Home 154 Waterside Lane Across the Little River at the entrance to Bridge Creek is the Paul Carey Residence. Paul has the best of both worlds, an expansive view of the river on one side, and a quiet cove and marsh on the other. Paul’s traditional home is enhanced with maps, paintings and models collected during his years in the railroad industry. A lover of all things steam-driven, Paul’s collection also includes artifacts of the steamboat era on New York’s Hudson River.

The Hill-Barnum Rivah House 780 Holly Harbor Road Further upstream on Bridge Creek is the Hill-Barnum Rivah House. Barney Barnum, a Medal of Honor recipient, and his wife Martha have lovingly furnished this modern yet rustic home in the trees. The clean lines of Stickley-style furniture perfectly complement the wood paneled walls and woodsy outdoor views. The two-story hexagonal living room is ringed by a mural of the woods surrounding the house and the raccoons, heron, otters, and songbirds that live there. A large eagle dominates the scene and is a perfect complement to Barney’s collection of eagles and memorabilia from his career in the US Marine Corps.

Click Here  to download maps to all the homes on the tour

Holiday Season Events
at the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum

The Northern Neck Railroad Exhibit  • Over 100 feet of track layout and scale model buildings depicting bygone days in the villages of Reedville, Heathsville, Irvington and White Stone. Fun for railroad buffs of all ages! $5 adults, $3 seniors, children 12 and under free (included in Homes Tour ticket December 12-13.) (Trains start running the Friday after Thanksgiving and are open during regular museum hours throughout the holiday season.)

Breakfast with Santa • Saturday, December 12th at 9:00am • FREE!! Santa will arrive aboard the "Elva C" at the museum dock and proceed with the children to the Model Railroad Exhibit at the RFM Model Shop! Afterwards, it's on to the Bethany United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Donuts and juice will be served as Santa sits in his special chair in front of the fireplace and passes out bags of candy to all the children. Bring your camera!! (Event co-sponsored by Bethany United Methodist Church)

Boat Shuttle • A narrated boat shuttle service between the houses on Cockrell's Creek and also the houses on the Little Wicomico River will be provided at no charge. The Little River boat shuttle is strongly recommended to reduce driving time and avoid parking problems. Park and board the shuttle at Smith Point Marina.

Festival Holiday "Tablescapes"  • The Northern Neck's most talented designers have created individually decorated table settings all set for a special festive event. Museum admission $5 or included in the Christmas Homes Tour ticket.
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Bake Sale  •  Stop in at the museum’s Pantry and Bake Sale in the museum lobby and stock up on home-made treats for the holidays. Goodies include homemade candy, breads, cakes, pies, cookies, jams, jellies, and pickles

Caroling and Refreshments in the Walker House during the tour weekend. Join members of the Festival Chorale singers at the old pump organ for old-fashioned caroling.

The Bethany UMC Sanctuary will be open for free tours during the weekend.  The church was dedicated in 1901 and was completed under the direction of John Steelman, brother of Mrs. Albert Morris of the Morris House and Mrs. James Fisher of The Gables. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style around the form of a compass with steeply pitched gables and a tall bell tower. The interior of the sanctuary has elaborately carved and sawn woodwork, and stunning pointed-arch stained glass windows donated by church families over the years. The sanctuary will be decorated for the Advent Season.

Holiday Schedule The museum is open from 10:30-4:30 Fridays through December 18th and Saturdays & Sundays through January 10; closed Christmas and New Year's days; open Monday - Thursday the week between Christmas and New Year’s. (Note: The RFM Office is closed the week between Christmas and New Years)

Museum Gift Shop  • Choose from a wide selection of regional books, giftware, jewelry, gourmet treats, original artworks and prints, children’s books and toys, and the RFM 2010 Calendar produced by our own Photo Group. (Open during regular museum hours)

Reedville Festival Halle Chorale Christmas Concert • Sunday December 20th at 3 p.m. at the Festival Halle.  Under the direction of Artistic Director Sharon Freude and accompanied by Carina Kline Harrison, the Chorale will perform renditions of favorite carols and seasonal music. In the spirit of Christmas giving, no ticket is required; but guests are encouraged to bring canned/nonperishable food items or cash donations to benefit local food pantries. Enjoy the music and sing along with Chorale members at Reedville Festival Halle, Main Street, Reedville. Link

New Year's Eve Dance at the Reedville Festival Halle. Get all the info Here

Christmas Tour Ticket Information • Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour and include admission to all houses and museum events. VISA and MC accepted at the museum office for advance phone orders – or – via our Ticket Order Form (Click  Here) • Individual houses may be visited for $10 each. • During the tour weekend, tickets will only be available at the museum. • Please note: No food, photos, strollers or backpacks in houses. Each child under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared to remove your shoes when touring houses.

 

Copyright 2009   - Reedville Fishermen's Museum  PO Box 306   504 Main Street  Reedville, VA 22539
(804) 453-6529         email: RFM Office