Victorian homes to open for Christmas tour

Each year, Angelo and Mary De Felice open their home to the public during a Victorian Christmas Tour.

"It is a lot of fun because people enjoy it," Mary De Felice said. "We feel like the house loves to have people come through it. It has that personality."

The couple became interested in historic homes in 1973, when they moved into a 150-year-old farmhouse in New York.

They were intrigued by a pencil drawing of a peacock on a rough wall in the cellar and speculated on the life of artist, Lottie Wilson, who signed and dated the picture in 1915.

"It really piqued our interest in old houses," De Felice said.

The couple moved with their two daughters to Gardnerville in 1978, and 14 years ago decided to again look for a historic home.

With their daughters grown, they wanted to find a small, old house to restore.

When a Realtor friend showed them the Olcovich-Meyers House on the corner of King and Nevada streets, their decision was made.

"This house had such a nice feeling," De Felice said. "It is so comfortable so we decided to just go for it."

The home was built in 1874 by Joseph Olcovich, and 10 years later, George Meyers bought it. The De Felices spoke with Meyers about the home before his death in 1996.

They continue to correspond with his daughter, Georgia Ormsby, and feel a connection to the family.

"We always hear from people that George Meyers and his family were the most wonderful people," Mary De Felice said. "His wife, Margaret, was just lovely. George was a practical joker, and everybody loved him."

Olcovich's great-granddaughter of Olcovich stopped by, and they plan to keep in touch.

"You get the feeling you don't really own this house," e Felice mused. "You're just taking care of it. It was around long before you got here and will be around a lot longer, hopefully, than you're going to be living in it."

The house looks very similar both inside and out to photographs taken in 1887. It is featured in next year's National Trust for Historic Preservation calendar.

The home will be on display during the Victorian Christmas Tour from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 8

The tour will feature 12 historic locations including the Rinkle Mansion, Robinson House and Roberts House.

Entertainment will be provided by the Hosanna Bell Choir, Rosella Nu-ez, Chris Bayer and family singers and others.

Proceeds will benefit the Roberts House Museum.

IF YOU GO

What: Victorian Christmas Tour

When: noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 8

Cost: Adults $12, Seniors/Students $10, Children $3

Tickets at:

Carson City Chamber of Commerce, 1900 S. Carson

Book Cellar, 1202 N. Carson

Cloth Cottage, 602 N. Curry

Abell House Antiques, 1114 N. Curry

Roberts House Museum, 1217 N. Carson (on day of tour)

Information: Call Dorothy at 882-1805.