Country homes tour has style
Annual event offers privileged peek
On June 7, visitors will get the opportunity to peek inside five of Hudson’s most beautiful homes in the annual Hudson Country Homes Tour.
Two of the homes are historical gems, while the other three range from country cottage, to Persianinspired, to the latest in modern living. For 62 years, parishioners at St. James’ Church have organized the home tour to raise money for the church and local charities, drawing hundreds of looky-loos each year. Organizer Stephanie Lehner said the popular tour appeals to decorators, history buffs and anyone who’s curious about how others live.
“We do our best to have a variety of homes. We have big ones, small ones, some ultra-modern, some small and cosy, there’s something in it for everybody,” said Lehner.
In previous years, some visitors have travelled by bicycle between the homes. This year, the properties are fairly close together making cycling even easier, Lehner said.
The first home on the tour this year is at 647 Main Rd. across the street from St. James’ Church. The 115-year-old, antebellum-style summer residence was a gift to Naomi Frankham Matthews from her husband James Pyke Jr., who was the eldest son of Rev. James Pyke, the first priest of St. James’ Church when it was built 175 years ago.
Current owner Pierrette Murphy has carefully furnished the stately home in period style with antiques collected over the 45 years she has lived in the home. Modern conveniences like the refrigerator are tucked discreetly out of sight to preserve a feeling of stepping back in time. “It’s a visit to a different era,” said Lehner. Although Murphy was initially reluctant to open her home for the tour, she said she wants to share the history of the home with others. In part, she said, it’s a way to give back to the town that has given her family so many happy memories. “People are crazy about this tour,” said Murphy. “The first time I came here to Hudson was when somebody invited me to the tour.” The other historical home on the tour is the 200-year-old Whitlock house, called Fernleigh. Built in 1812, the home belonged to the Whitlock family for many years. Farmland around the house was sold to become the Whitlock Golf Course in 1912. The Hudson Country Home Tour is on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 7. Tickets for the tour cost $30 and can be purchased from Decors & Tissus Sérénity, Centre Decors Hudson, Boutique Alena Kirby and Le Panier, or by emailing hudsoncountryhomestour@gmail.com. A lunch is offered at St. James’ Church for $20 or at St. Mary’s Church for $15. Proceeds from the tour will support Le Pont/Bridging, Auberge Madeleine, NOVA Hudson, West Island Palliative Care Residence as well as the Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Palliative Care Residence and Mile End Mission.