History

Deed records indicate this Federal-style row house was built in 1832, a charming survivor from Madison’s early days. Its brick façade is crowned by an ornate cornice lined with decorative corbels and dentils, a showcase of 1830s craftsmanship. Purchased in 2016 by Dave and Amy White, the home has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully decorated by stewards who value its historic character, with primitive custom cabinetry, an original tin kitchen ceiling, exposed brick walls, and two original coal-burning fireplaces (now non-operational). The dining room is especially memorable, featuring distinctive board-and-batten millwork paired with elegant woodland wallpaper that brings a touch of nature indoors.

Just beyond the main house, a cozy she-shed and home office overlooks a delightful festive garden, offering a peaceful retreat year-round. During the Christmas season, evergreen garlands, twinkling lights, and treasured holiday accents fill the home with warmth and nostalgia. Together, the home’s historic details and traditional décor create the feeling of stepping into a simpler time, when Christmas was celebrated with timeless charm and wonder.

Renovations

• Board-and-batten walls and woodland-inspired wallpaper were added to the dining room last winter.
• The backyard “she shed,” located directly off the house, was converted from a weight room into a home office and den.
• The festive backyard garden was reconfigured and refreshed this summer.

Special Features

• Original artwork throughout the home by the homeowner’s mother, a Cincinnati-based artist, and brother, an artist based in Atlanta.
• The river scene beneath the mantel in the upstairs primary bedroom was painted by the homeowner’s mother.
• The kitchen features its original tin ceiling.
• The metal floor grate between the living and dining rooms is believed to be a remnant of a Caloric pipeless furnace, an updated heating system commonly installed in the early 1900s.
• The large photograph displayed along the staircase features the homeowner’s great-grandfather following a fox hunt in the early 1920s.

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Legal: Ticket bearers release all private homeowners from any claims that might arise from participation in the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes.