Travel back in time to the Christmases of yesterday at the Museums of Brevard’s “Inaugural Christmas Tour of Historic Homes” With unique architecture and gorgeous seasonal decorations, these tours should be on your list of things to do this holiday season. GREEN GABLES AT HISTORIC RIVERVIEW VILLAGE (Event Calendar Dates Shown) In 1896 Green Gables was built on a bluff on the Indian River by Wm and Nora Wells, who built the first auditorium, first high school and first library in Melbourne. This Queen Anne style house was the first with an indoor tub and toilet. The house is now a living history museum and community center, holding monthly events, presenting an education program for students, and is a venue for weddings and parties. The 124 year old structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Christmas Tour offered : December 18 , 19, 20th from 9 am 2pm Complimentary Cookies and Spiced Cider will be served. For info: 321-794-8901 or go to: www.greengables.org Located at 1501 S Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne FL 32901 (on US1 just south of Hibiscus Blvd) (Renaissance Fair event on Dec.12th ) HISTORIC ROSSETTER HOUSE MUSEUM AND GARDEN The Rossetter home began as a 1859 Houston slave cabin, the three 1880’s Roesch additions and finally the Rossetter 1908 Aspinwall addition. It showcases the lovely Rossetter antiques and memorabilia. Historical tours include an informative history of Old Eau Gallie and the three families that made substantial contribution to both this historic home and the community. Also included are the Houston Memorial Cemetery and the family garage housing Ella's 1931 Model A Ford. Located at 1320 Highland Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32935 Tours are Wednesday and Saturday and are by appointment only. 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 2 p.m. Please call 321-254-9855 FIELD MANOR HISTORIC HOMESTEAD AND GROVE Built in 1880, Field Manor Historic Homestead and Grove is the oldest home built on Merritt Island ( the family arrived from Macon, GA in 1868 .) This pioneer family created the town of Indianola. The early crops grown by JR Field and his family included sugar cane, pumpkins, and pineapples, and then they quickly focused on Indian River citrus. Its agricultural projects continue today with figs, mangos, pomegranates, pineapples, and honeybees. Located at 750 Field Manor Drive , Merritt Island, FL Our Victorian Christmas tour will take place on: Thursday, December 10th Saturday, December 12th and Thursday, December 17th, Saturday December, 19th Hours: 10AM - 2 PM. Please call ahead: 321-848-0365. Chilled spiced apple cider will be served to participants. SAMS HOUSE AT PINE ISLAND The 1875 John H. Sams Cabin is considered to be the oldest standing home in Brevard County, FL. Originally in Eau Gallie the family deconstructed and floated it up the Indian River Lagoon and reassembled it in Merritt Island in 1878. The 600 sq. ft. cabin housed 4 adults and 6 children. The adjacent Florida vernacular style home was then built in 1888 to accommodate the growing family and 8 children, some of whom were grown at the time this house was built. The Environmental Endangered Lands Program bought the property in 1996. Tour the 1888 parlor and check out our hiking trails as we celebrate this holiday season. The Pine Island Preservation Society will be offering citrus juices and cookies. Christmas Tour dates are Saturday December 5th and 12th. Hours: 10 am 2 pm. Located on the Pine Island Conservation Area at 6195 N Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Phone: 321-449-4720 HISTORIC PRITCHARD HOUSE The Pritchard House is a fine example of “Queen Anne” style architecture built in 1891. It has been restored retaining original architectural elements and furnished with period furniture and amenities , collections of vintage clothing and accessories, china, glassware, silverware, linens , toys and books. It is on the National Register and open to the public as a living house museum , afternoon teas, exhibits &events. Available for rental. The house is decorated throughout and includes a tree adorned with vintage ornaments, antique toys under it and stockings hung by the fireplace. Complimentary holiday cookies and beverage will be served after each tour. Address: 424 S. Washington Ave. (US1), Titusville, FL 32796 P.O. Box 653, Titusville, FL 32781 Christmas Tours available daily 10am - 4pm by appointment (321)607-0203 For additional information: www.pritchardhouse.com LAWNDALE Lawndale is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Rockledge Drive National Register District, one of three National Register Districts in the neighborhood. In its lovely location on the banks of the Indian River Lagoon, Lawndale is a living history educational site, restored and furnished as a family home of 1895. Christmas tour hours: December 11th & 12th Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and December 13th from noon to 3 p.m. Address: 1219 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge, 1 ½ miles south of Cocoa Village . Near by, the 1927 Municipal Building at 11 Orange Ave and 1917 Old St Mary’s church at 56 Barton Ave will be open for tours( same days and hours). Maps of the 3 Rockledge Historic Districts will be available for those wishing to walk or drive through. For information call 321-632-5650.