by Catherine Halbmaier
Special to The Leaven
ATCHISON — As the Christmas season draws near, a group of local “grandmas” are preparing the biannual tour featuring some of Atchison’s most historic homes.
For Janelle Carrigan and her fellow committee members, this is more than just a charming tradition. Proceeds go to St. Benedict School, a place Carrigan and her colleagues share deep ties to.
“We all have grandkids together at the school,” Carrigan said. “That’s why we call ourselves ‘the grandmas.’ Our families have been tied to the school for three — maybe four — generations.”
Carrigan and her daughter Kristen, a current St. Benedict School parent, are both on the committee. While this is the mother/daughter duo’s first year as official committee members, both have helped with the tour in the past.
“We’ve worked with volunteers from all over Atchison, not just parishioners,” Carrigan continued. “It just goes to show that people love this tradition and the way it brings the community together.”
Diane Liebsch, former principal of St. Benedict School, echoed the sentiment.
“Each home on the tour has a story to tell,” Liebsch said. “People love these historic houses, and homeowners are more than willing to share.”
According to Liebsch, who served as the school principal from 2011-2019, these gracious homeowners and volunteers are not all parishioners of St. Benedict.
“A lot of the people who own these beautiful homes just want to invite others in,” said Liebsch. “When we ask these homeowners to participate, many of them are enthusiastic. Last time we did this, we had people offer their homes for that tour and the next one.”
According to Liebsch, the Historic Christmas Homes Tour has occurred every two years since 2016, with the exception of 2020. This is the second time the tour will return post-pandemic, and this year features several first-time additions.
“We’ve featured a different set of houses every time,” Liebsch said. “Atchison has so many beautiful buildings to offer. Like I said, every house tells a story.”
This year’s oldest house, owned by Ethan and Taylor Hausmann, was built in 1879. The stately Italianate-style home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once a social hub for Atchison in the 1880s and 1890s, the Hausmanns graciously invite participants to continue the home’s legacy of community building.
Two of the other houses are owned by the same family, with Bud and Carol Frieden in one and their daughter and her husband in the other. The Frieden home stands in full view of the Missouri River, with a cupola and large patio designed for taking in the scenic views.
The riverside home of Amy and Tim Dulac, designed in 1936 by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, is also featured. The architect, Samuel Bihr Jr., would later design the Fox Theatre in Atchison and another home on the south end of Riverview Drive.
Tickets
The Historic Christmas Homes Tour will take place on Nov. 23. Tickets for the tour are $45 and include lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Benedict School, located at 201 Unity St. Lunch will include soup, sandwiches, dessert and a beverage.
Also at the school, participants can enjoy a pop-up Christmas market and bake sale. Vendors from the Atchison and St. Joseph areas will participate, bringing in a variety of handcrafted items.
At the Muchnic Art Gallery, located at 111 N. 8th St., participants will enjoy a complimentary coffee bar while viewing the Nativity collection of Diane Pickman.
As a special addition, Sacred Heart Variety Store, located at 411 Commercial St., will stay open until 4 p.m. on Nov. 23. Proceeds from the variety store, as well as ticket sales for the tour, will go toward St. Benedict School.
Participants must be over the age of 12. For questions, contact Amanda at (913) 426-3035.
To purchase tickets, visit the website at: stbenedicthomestour.com or call the number above. Credit cards are accepted over the phone.
