Dufford Alumni Home Newberry is the city of friendly folks – and BIG houses. It’s

evident each year during the city’s annual holiday home tour when six of the area’s historic homes, most furnished to reflect each structure’s period, are open to the public.

From an 1820’s plantation home to a 1905 Greek Revival mansion, the tour takes visitors on a virtual trip back in time. This year’s tour, billed Newberry’s Christmas 2005 Tour of Homes, is set for Saturday, Dec. 3, from 5-10 p.m. All of the homes will be decorated for a festive holiday season.

The tour is a “drive-around.” Ticket holders can spend as much or as little time inside each home as they like during the five-hour timeframe. Some of the homeowners provide refreshments, some provide holiday music and some distribute pamphlets telling the history of their home. A surprise token gift is given out to each ticket holder at one of the homes along the way.

Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased at the Visitor Center, 1109 Main St., in Newberry or call 803-2764274.

Homes on the tour include the C.T. Summer House, Zac Wright Mansion, Oak Grove Plantation House, J.H. Summer House, Hipp-Cromer Home and the Dufford Alumni Home.

Oak Grove Plantation House The C.T. Summer House was built by businessman Clarence Summer around 1912 as a wood structure. Due to a fire, it was rebuilt with a brick facade. The home is decorated with many family heirlooms and has been turned into a virtual toy museum.

The Zac Wright Mansion is a huge Greek Revival house, constructed in 1907-1908 for Zachary Wright, president of Newberry Mills. Wright also owned several downtown businesses and was an important civic leader who at one time served as mayor of Newberry.

The Oak Grove Plantation House was built by Major Frederick Nance Sr., one of the earliest settlers of Newberry. The house is an impressive Greek Revival built between 1820 and 1825. The present owners have done extensive restoration and have decorated the home to match its period.

The J.H. Summer House was built by John Harris Summer in 1904 in the classical revival style. Containing 6,400 square feet, the home is noted for its wide porches, impressive Doric columns and 26 stained glass windows.

Zac Wright Mansion The Hipp-Cromer Home with 20 rooms, 11 fireplaces and a third floor ballroom was built for Edward Hipp around 1903.

The Dufford Alumni Home was built in 1906 by Henry and Sara Evans and was given to Newberry College in 1995 as a special gathering place for alumni.

Hipp-Cromer Home C.T. Summer House J.H. Summer House