Let’s go back in time to Saturday, December 20, 1873. You’re going to a Holiday Celebration at the DuBose home, a much sought after invitation. The house was a wedding gift from the bride’s father to the happy couple. Named Magnolia Cottage for the glo-rious trees that frame its entrance, the architecture is plain style Victorian. The wrap-around veranda welcomes visitors and hints at the warmth and beauty you’ll find inside. Dinner is in the formal dining room under the magnificent chandelier. The glow of the fire accents the beauty of the ornate woodwork.  Magnolia Cottage was built in 1873. It was a wedding gift from Henry N. Wylie to his daughter Nannie and her husband Wylie Duncan DuBose. The couple lived in the house for 19 years and were the parents of 10 children.  When they sold the Cottage in 1892 it was purchased by Anson King. An-son established a mercantile business in Washington. He was also active in baseball and the local semi-professional team was named the Washington Kings to honor him. He married Belle Hill, a talented musician, on December 14, 1892. Anson hired architect Edmund G. Lind to remodel the cottage. Many different types of wood were used to install pocket doors, mantelpieces and beautiful paneling.  During the twentieth century Captain Robert A. Os-lin and his wife Duella bought Magnolia Cottage and several generations of the Oslin Family enjoyed the beauty of the home.  The most recent restoration was done by Mike Dyches for the present owners. He designed the book-shelves that lend so much character to the

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library. Be sure to note the hand-blown glass vessel sinks by Robert Jones. The kitchen features a Tuscan slate floor and a unique chandelier. English Accent tiles in a botanical theme date from 1870.  Owners Ginny King and Skeet Willingham have taken great care to restore the atmosphere in their home to the charm of an earlier age. Magnolia Cottage is also a showcase for their many antiques and eclectic artwork collections. Joining the Christmas Tour will open the doors of Magnolia Cottage for your enjoyment. The 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 12-13. Three ticket packages are available for the Christmas Tour of Homes.  Candlelight Tour: Friday Evening, 5-9 p.m. ($30.00)  Town & Country Day Tour: Saturday Only 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ($30.00)  Saturday Combination Ticket: Town & Country Day Tour, Twilight Champagne Reception, and Colo-nial Dinner ($65.00)  Premier Ticket: All of the tour activities are in-cluded with this ticket ($85.00).  Single House Tickets: ($5.00) Additional information may be obtained by calling The Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation (toll free 877-221-7689), 706-678-5001, 706-678-2105, or by going to the Foundation’s website http://www.historyof-wilkes.org.