A Victorian Christmas from FOCM to you
Contributed
A tour into a Christmas of the past has become a Marble Falls tradition through the efforts of homeowner Caryl Calsyn and Falls on the Colorado Museum. The annual Victorian Christmas Open House will take place Dec. 3.
The annual Victorian Christmas Open House sponsored by board members of the Falls on the Colorado Museum (FOCM) is set for Saturday, Dec. 3.
Home owner Caryl Calsyn will be on hand to talk with visitors as they tour a view into Marble Falls history.
The open house will take place at the historic Christian-Matern home, 603 Seventh Street at Avenue F, east of US 281 in Marble Falls. The community is invited to visit any time from 6-8:30 p.m. Handicap access and parking are available at the back of the house.
“Caryl Calsyn owns the old home and has hosted the museum event for several years,” said FOCM Board Chairwoman Darlene Oostermeyer. “We hold this open house every year to say 'thank you' to the community for their support of the museum.”
The house was built in 1892. With encouragement from the late Madolyn Frasier, Calsyn applied for and received a Texas historical marker in 1997. As the marker relates, the late Victorian structure shows Queen Anne style influences with decorative woodwork and protruding bay windows.
Victorian decorations for the Christmas season include a 12-foot Christmas tree in the front bay window, a lighted gingerbread candy shop in the kitchen, a Victrola in a bedroom and many other items that harken to the era.
The house was built for George Christian and his wife Juliet, who had married in 1887. Christian was one of 10 owners of the Texas Mining and Improvement Company that developed Marble Falls. Juliet was the daughter of the town’s founder, Adam Rankin Johnson.
Ivo B. and Mina Matern bought the house in 1908 and owned it for 51 years. Matern was a merchant and rancher who served as mayor of Marble Falls in 1937. Other house owners followed until Calsyn purchased the property in 1992 and started restoration of the house.
Museum board members will assist Calsyn in welcoming visitors and in setting the dining room table with holiday refreshments.
The come-and-go open house is free. However, donations to the Falls on the Colorado Museum are always welcome. For more information, call Calsyn at 830-693-4791 or visit the museum website, fallsmuseum.org.
