Washington’s impressive homes keep the city’s history alive

WASHINGTON - Some of Washington's finest homes were on display as part of the city's fundraising event, Candlelight Tour of Homes Saturday, Dec. 7.

The two-day, self-guided tours shines light on newly renovated and historic homes while raising funds to light the city's main square for the holidays.

'We really enjoy the lighting ceremony downtown and keeping downtown alive,” said Emilie Kaufmann, one of the owners displaying this year. 'So we really wanted to do our part to participate.”

The decorating took the Kaufmanns over a month to finish, but they're happy to do it. Her home resembled a kempt model with a lived-in charm. The warm glow of decorative Christmas lights led visitors around the main floor through a modest living room, a sitting room, a dedicated dining room and a kitchen with modern amenities. A candlelit, semi-carpeted stairs went upstairs to two cozy bedrooms and a classic study.

'It's a part of maintaining old architecture,” Kauffmann said. 'Restoring [and] keeping the history alive.”

She believes it's worth preserving Washington's identity for others to enjoy. It helps that Kaufmann and her husband are hobbyists who collect and restore antique furniture matching the home's history.

A few streets down, Rachel Fishback and her family were showing off a different era of Washington's history.

Fishback's home opens up from a main hallway to a modern open concept where exposed brick and modern furniture surrounds the focal point - an elevator garage home to a classic red Mustang.

'And yes, it still drives,” said Fishback, preemptively answering as visitors eye her Ford.

From start to finish, the home took five to six months of work to bring to current fit and finish. But as a Washington native, it was an easy decision.

'I found this building and I thought I could see the potential,” Fishback said. 'So I thought, ‘Why not?'”

One of her motives during renovation was to keep some of the history embedded while updating the home.

'My dining room area is a paint booth,” Fishback said. 'You can still see the rod up there.”

Despite their different takes, the two homeowners had the same sentiment - keep Washington's history alive for the community to enjoy. Fishback and Kaufmann both feel it a privilege to be able to share their home as a part of the Candlelight Tour of Washington. For visitors, it's a chance to revisit the city's history.