A Napa holiday tradition returns as Napa County Landmarks presents its Holiday Candlelight Tour 3-8 p.m. Saturday in the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park neighborhoods in Napa.

The six private homes and one bed & breakfast inn represent a range of historic styles including Gable Front Vernacular, American Foursquare, Arts & Crafts and Storybook.

"What I find interesting this year is that so many of the houses were built for and owned by single women," said Leslie Erickson, Landmark's business manager. "Napa's first female superintendent of schools occupied one home on Randolph Street. Next door, a married woman purchased the house, but her husband's name was not on the deed. The lot for Storybook-style house on Seminary Street was purchased by Mettie Jennings, a single woman, in 1929."

Tour a historic mansion

The centerpiece to these eclectic historical homes is the Grande Dame, the Edward W. Churchill House, which was converted into the Cedar Gables Inn. This 10,000-square-foot beauty was designed in a Victorian-English Tudor style as a wedding present from Edward S. Churchill to his son in 1892.

In its history, the Cedar Gables Inn has been home to many people. It was a boarding house in the 1930s when it was chopped up into 33 rooms. During World War II, it housed military nurses. It was a single family home and changed yet again into a luxury spa before becoming an inn.

Current owners Susie and Ken Pope have painstakingly restored the redwood walls in the dining room and repaired the magnificent leaded glass windows. Taking a cue from the Shakespearian architecture, they transformed a former game room into an English tavern where guests relax at the end of the day.

"It's a historic building that belongs to the community and we want to share it with the community," said Susie Pope. "We host the Gingerbread Extravaganza every holiday season and also have had benefits for nonprofits. I love that part of owning the inn."

An Arts & Crafts original

A few blocks away on Randolph Street is a splendid example of Arts & Crafts style home. The Lena A. Jackson House is named after the first female superintendent of schools during her residence in the home.

Built approximately a century ago, the 2,100-square-foot home uses natural materials of rock, stone and wood, which are typical of the Arts & Crafts style. The owner of the home since 1976, Henry Michalski created the stained glass front door. Designed by his architect wife Lynn, the stained glass is in the style of the period and features the depiction of three redwood trees in front of the home.

"Stained glass became my hobby and it's almost like a second career," said Henry, a retired history teacher from Napa High School. He designed several other stained glass pieces in the home.

What he's most proud of, though, is the home's woodwork.

"It escaped being painted, the curse of the 1950s," said Henry. "I've oiled the ceilings in preparation for the tour. There are many original features in the home, including the pocket doors to the dining room."

The couple are both third-generation antique collectors, and the furnishings reflect that enthusiasm. As a special treat for tour attendees, Henry will display authentic framed political buttons, including over 100 different buttons for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"Nothing is a reproduction," said Henry. "Even the exterior paint is a historic color."

In 1989 the kitchen was bumped out and reconfigured to allow for a full downstairs bath. The two walls of windows look out onto the backyard deck, pond and rear guesthouse.

What's the biggest challenge of caring for a 100-year-old home?

"You have to upgrade the electrical and plumbing," said Lynn. "All older homes need maintenance. They have living, breathing elements and you have to work to preserve them."

Henry agreed. "We're humbled and honored by this house. Nothing lasts forever, but it's up to us to try to preserve it."

The new life of Franklin Primary School

The tour begins at the Napa Women's Club, which will serve as an entertainment and refreshment center. Built as the one-room Franklin Primary School in 1891, it was enlarged to three rooms in 1901. The Napa Women's Club purchased the building in 1948, using it for club activities and community rentals. In the past five years, the building has gone through extensive renovations and earlier this year, Napa County Landmarks recognized the Napa Women's Club with an Award of Merit.

Holiday music at the Napa Women's Club will be provided by the Napa Valley Barbershoppers, the First Presbyterian Church Carillon Choir and Bell Ensemble, the cello/violin duo Cadence and harpist Renee Roberge. Beaulieu Vineyard, Beringer Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Far Niente Winery, Madonna Estate, Robert Mondavi Winery, Nickel & Nickel Vineyards, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Peju Province, Saintsbury Winery, Schramsberg Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards and Trefethen Vineyards will all pour wine to accompany desserts and savories.

Tickets for the Dec. 9 Holiday Candlelight Tour for $35 per person, or $25 for Landmarks members. Tour attendees will receive holiday wine cards that may be used before the end of the year at any of the wine tasting rooms in downtown Napa. Tickets are available at Casey's Hallmark in the Bel Aire Plaza and at Napa Valley Emporium in the Napa Town Center. Tickets are also available directly through Landmarks by phone, fax or e-mail. Landmarks members must buy their tickets through Landmarks for the member price. The Landmarks telephone number is 255-1836 or info@napacountylandmarks.org.

Sponsors for this year's Candlelight Tour are Cello & Maudru Construction, Partners in Painting, Far Niente Winery, Cedar Gables Inn, Dave May Construction and Pollin's Upholstery and Window Coverings, with the assistance of Barron's Mortgage, Bell Products, MCA Architects, McCuen Investment Group, the Napa Downtown Association, Napa Electric, OD Sales, Brenda W. Perry, CPA, Ripley Scoggin Architecture Interiors & Planning and the Vintage Bank.