About 250 people were treated to the festive and creative efforts of five impressive homes on the Shelburne Holiday Home Tour last Saturday, making it the most successful season yet.

The annual fundraiser, established in 2003, has raised over $14,000 to date. All proceeds go to buy resource materials for the Shelburne Public Library.

The heart behind the tour is local resident Cheryl Soper. Head librarian Mary Lynne Armstrong says Cheryl "works tirelessly to make the event a success and it is the highlight of the season for the library."

The core committee also includes Sandra Gallaugher, Patt Boyd, Renate Schuetz, Caren DiGasparro, Leslie Prevost and Beverly Ford Arnold.

These women lead over 60 other volunteers through the many details that go into the event, as well as the planning of the actual tours through each home.

History and charming anecdotes are provided to every guide making each tour unique.

Cheryl says the idea for the tour grew out of a desire to provide resource funding for the library during its expansion in 2003. The original concept was to run a tea but it was concluded that it would not generate enough money. Cheryl and Sandra decided that the beautiful history and architecture of Shelburne would generate significant funds through a tour. The idea was a good fit for the library which is, itself, a fine example of historical architecture.

Built in 1912 by a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, established by American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the library has been an important public meeting house for the town of Shelburne. The lower level facilitated polling stations, meetings, and when needed, courtrooms.

Every year, the tour is hosted by completely different homes. This year, holiday homes included a new home furnished with hand crafted pieces by the owner; an open concept bungalow with a woodcarver's workshop; a dormered 1 1/2-storey with a central staircase; and a landmark century house, home to only three different families since it was built in 1876.

This year, the historical highlight of the tour was the Masonic Hall at Main and William streets; now, the beautifully renovated art studio and residence of Emanual Pontes. Originally the Wesleyan Methodist Church, built in 1888, the land was bought from town founder John Jelly for the price of $195.

The church elders decided that the creation of the Wesleyan Church should be a profit project for the town of Shelburne. Consequently, the gothic revival structure was constructed entirely by the labour and materials of Shelburne residents and businesses. Two fascinating facts about the building are that the interior architecture remains true to its original design and the cornerstone contains a time capsule from 1888. At that time, the total construction cost of the 496- seat house of worship was $5,500.

When the Methodists and Presbyterians joined to form the United Church in 1925, Shelburne initially had two United churches, Knox and Wesley, but later services moved to the newer Knox church, renamed Trinity Church, on Owen Sound Street. Still later, the bell from the Wesleyan asymmetrical tower was removed and is now located on the lawn in front of Trinity. Meanwhile, the structure remained empty until it was bought by the Masons in 1949.

"Every year, the tour will include different homes and buildings," assures Cheryl Soper. Shelburne is filled with beautiful historical buildings and homes that will keep the tour fresh for years to come.

The ticket price of $25 included a lovely lunch by the Trinity United Church Women, raffle and door prizes and a gift bag of valuable coupons from Shelburne retailers. The library hosts a book sale and silent auction as an added feature of the tour.

The Holiday Home Tour committee wishes to thank all the business supporters as well as Jack and Trish Sinclair. Anyone wishing to help with this fantastic community fundraiser may contact Cheryl Soper at 519-925- 5674.