Homes for the holidays

Historical societies in Bordentown City and Roebling will host holiday tours of historical houses.

By: Scott Morgan
   Twenty dollars a month. That was a good rent for a 10-room house in 1908.
   But in the early years of the 20th century, in the infancy of the Village of Roebling, this was what the renters of 136 Fourth Ave. paid per month to live among the workers of the John A. Roebling and Sons Co.
   Next weekend, $12 will get you a glimpse of this and eight other historic homes on the Bordentown City and Roebling hold historic house tours— and unlike that fabulous rent (which today would be about $375 a month adjusted for inflation), you only have to pay it once to see how the first residents of Roebling lived.
   Over in Bordentown City, 13 historic structures decked for the holidays will be on display next weekend as well. Like the Roebling Historical Society, the Bordentown Historical Society will host a self-guided, Holiday Open House Tour featuring some of the more treasured homes and buildings from the city’s past.
   Beginning at the Historical Society headquarters on Farnsworth Avenue at 5 p.m. Dec. 11, Bordentown City will show off a baker’s dozen properties to anyone with $15 and an interest in getting a look at some of the structures that have survived the tests of time.
   BHS member Patti DeSantis said the society already has sold over 100 tickets for this year’s tour, anticipating another 100 to 200 sales by the time the tour starts. This year’s featured sites include the gate house of the former Joseph Bonaparte Estate on Park Street, the Claire Estate on Crosswicks Street, the Union Baptist Church on Burlington Street and 5 Thompson St., which last year was highlighted by the BBC garden renovation show "Ground Force."
   Put simply, the tour is, according to society member Arlene Bice, "a taste of old Bordentown."
   Back in Roebling, the village tour kicks off on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 12. Beginning at 3 p.m., the four-hour tour highlights nine houses built by the Roebling Co. for its workers, beginning 99 years ago. Though the Roebling tour also is self-guided, RHS member Robin Lovenduski said there are a limited number of guided tour tickets available, though they cost a little more — one month’s rent in 1908, to be exact.
   Tickets for both tours can be purchased up to the day of each respective event. Advance tickets for the Bordentown tour are available by calling (609) 298-3481 or (609) 298-9181, or by visiting App’s hardware or U&I Gifts/By the Book, both on Farnsworth Avenue. Tickets are $15 whether bought in advance or at the BHS headquarters on Dec. 11. The tour runs from 5 to 9 p.m.
   Tickets for the Roebling tour can be purchased in advance for $10 at Donna’s Deli on Main Street. Advance tickets for the guided tour also can be purchased at Donna’s Deli and are $18. Advance tickets also can be reserved by calling (609) 499-7632 or (609) 499-3316.
   Tickets bought the day of the tour are available at the Roebling Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, Seventh Avenue and Main Street. Ticket prices are $12 for the self-guided tour and $20 for the guided tour, both of which run from 3 to 7 p.m.