(11/26) In the charming town of Fairfield and the lovely rural valley surrounding it in Adams County, Pa., just southwest of Gettysburg, six beautiful residences will be decked out in seasonal finery on Sunday, Dec. 9, from noon to 5 p.m. A holiday cocktail reception will also be available.

Among the homes on tour will be:

Eden Farm, an 1830 stone house built by Abraham Krise in the classic style of four rooms over four with a central hall and beautifully constructed stairway all the way to the attic. It was restored in 1981 by Bob and Virginia Grant, including uncovering the original stone front cooking fireplace.

The "straw house," a newly built post and beam home along Tom’s Creek that is truly a work of art. The walls are completely built of tightly packed locally grown straw covered with local clay plaster. Relief designs have been randomly placed in the plaster and there are "truth windows" revealing the straw construction.

Main Street office and residence, Fairfield. Built circa 1875 as Dr. Beaver’s office and residence and renovated in 1985 as a law office and one apartment residence, keeping the faux marble fireplaces and faux grained doors typical of Victorians on a budget. More recent remodeling includes the slate roof, exterior gingerbread trim and copper ceilings in two of the upstairs offices.

The McKesson House, Fairfield. Originally a log and fieldstone house built in 1801 by William McKesson, brick additions were built c. 1830 and c.1860. Rich with area history, the McKesson House was occupied by various members of the same family until the 1970s. The walk-in fireplace in the original summer kitchen is visible and log and stone walls have been exposed. Documents connected to Fairfield’s history are on display.

A modern rancher, set into the hillside with the lower level exiting onto the Carroll Valley golf course. Interesting collections of Coca Cola memorabilia, hand-carved fish and wildlife, and antique dishes, granite ware and stoneware on display.

The Fairfield Inn, built in 1757 as an inn and the home of Squire John and Isabella Henry Miller and now celebrating 250 years of continuous operation. Guided historical tours of the newly remodeled rooms will include the Underground Railroad exhibit, President Eisenhower’s favorite dining room, where Patrick Henry conducted meetings, and the guest room General J.E.B. Stuart slept in.

A holiday cocktail reception will be served for $10 per person at the Fairfield Inn from noon to 5 p.m. Includes delicious hors d’oeuvres served with traditional Wassail punch (alcoholic) or hot mulled cider (non-alcoholic).

Tickets for the Dec. 9 Holiday Tour of Homes are $15 each or two for $25. Tickets will be on sale at the homes on the day of the tour, or may be purchased in advance at both Apple Blossom Tea Room and Ragged Edge Coffee House in Gettysburg, Pa.; Fairfield Inn and the Fairfield Barber Shop in Fairfield, Pa.; E-Plus Copy Center at Jubilee and Emmitsburg Village Liquors in Emmitsburg, Md.; or by calling 717-642-5436 or -6260.