CANANDAIGUA, NY -- This small Finger Lakes city is replete with historic homes, many of Victorian design. Usually, all that visitors can do is drive by them and wonder what's inside as they head to the nearby New York Wine & Culinary Center. Usually.The Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park has planned a tour of some of them along Howell Street, from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 5.
Six historic Howell Street homes, such as one shown above, will be open for display that day, plus the Gate House at Sonnenberg, just inside the Sonnenberg Gates at Howell and Charlotte streets.
Tour booklets will detail the history of each home, including special architectural features. Visitors will park in the Sonnenberg lot, and tram shuttle service from the main parking lot to the front gates of Sonnenberg will be provided.
Tour booklets, at $20 per person, may be purchased by calling Sonnenberg at (585) 394-4922. They will be available for pickup at Sonnenberg the day of the event.
During tour hours, Sonnenberg's 1887 mansion also will also be open with light refreshments available. Starting at 4:30 p.m., carolers and a Victorian Santa will be on hand at the Mansion. Community members may visit the mansion throughout the home tour hour free of charge.
ON THE WEB
• Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion
• Visiting Canandaigua
• Dowd's Guides
