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Washington Evening Journal
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Brooklyn Holiday House Walk features 5 homes, museum
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BROOKLYN — The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Holiday House Walk Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m. as part of the town’s Holiday Traditions celebration.
This year’s walk features tours of five homes along with the William Manatt House, better known at the Brooklyn Historical Museum.
Tickets are available at each home. The price to visit all six locations is $15.
The William Manatt House — Brooklyn Historical Museum — 304 Jackson St.
The Brooklyn Historical Museum is associated with the settlement of the town.
William Manatt and his father, Robert, moved from Holmes County, Ohio and settled in Poweshiek County in 1848. The farmstead they developed eventually became the city of Brooklyn.
Robert laid out most of the town in 1855. William sold property to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad for a $1, and the tracks reached Brooklyn in 1862.
William granted land to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1869.
Manatt owned several businesses, which were ran by various family members, and he owned an estate that grew to 1,500 acres of land. He had this house built in 1869 on property that included a large barn, carriage house and pasture land.
Manatt died in the house in 1906. His widow, Roxann, and two of his daughters, Thursia and Nellie, lived in the house until they died or moved out late in life.
His youngest son, Coe, bought the house in the mid-1950s when Nellie moved out and donated it to the city of Brooklyn before he died in 1962. It housed the Brooklyn Public Library until the Spring of 1999 and, since then, the Brooklyn Historical Museum.
The two-story frame structure features Italianate elements, such as a tall, segmentally arched windows and hooded crowns. Dental molding is found on the cornice.
The porch that encircles half the house is not original. The museum is furnished with period furniture, clothing and antique artifacts from the 1895 — 2000 era and displays from local residents who served or are serving in various government and military positions.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Kris & Kayla Seitz — 614 Spring St.
Kris and Kayla Seitz’s ranch-style home was built in 1973 and the addition in the late 1990s. The couple purchased the home in May 2023. It features four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a finished basement.
“The home is larger than it looks and though in town, features plenty of privacy and a spacious yard,” said Kayla.
Leah Keller — 204 E. Des Moines St.
The Leah Keller home is the newest being showcased on the holiday tour of homes. It was built this year.
The Keller family has lived in the home for nine months. The home features four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Leah said her favorite part of the home is the huge backyard.
“I love the joy that decorating for Christmas brings to our home so when asked if I would take part (in the house walk), I said yes so I could share that joy with others,” said Leah.
Craig and Jill Kalinay — 412 W. Des Moines St.
The ranch-style home of Craig and Jill Kalinay was built in 1998-99, and the Kalinay family moved into the house in 2013.
The Kalinays are the third family to own the house. The 3,000 square feet of face includes a basement living space and a walkout patio.
The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and a sunroom upstairs off the living room and master bedroom.
It has an attached garage and a basement garage. The couple has painted and updated most of the flooring and fireplace and added a bar to the basement living space.
“Our home fits us perfectly, and we’ve been very happy living in town so close to the school,” said Jill.
Casie Olson — 904 Mills St.
Built in 1900, the house at 904 Mills St. has been the Olson family home since March 2018.
The house features four bedrooms, three upstairs with a full bath and one bedroom with master bath on the main floor. There is a half bath off the kitchen and unfinished bedroom in the basement.
“My dad (Gary VanTomme) and I finished the woodwork, trim and floors when the remodel was taking place,” said Casie. “My kids and I also worked on the demolition process with the contractor. It was a team effort.”
Erik and Amanda Christensen — 705 Jackson St.
Erik and Amanda Christensen’s brick craftsman home was built in 1914. Erik and Amanda have lived in the home since September 2015, and say they absolutely love it.
The home features original woodwork with stained glass built-ins and wood columns, hardwood floors and beautifully ornate original cast iron radiators.
The couple has renovated bathrooms and added some period-accurate tiling. They have planted a couple thousand tulip bulbs that bloom around the house in the spring.
“Our focus when styling the home has been on letting the traditional beauty of the house really shine,” said Amanda. “We are very proud that we get to continue the preservation of this grand old house.”
