Friends of the Wayne County Museum have announced plans to host 'A Christmas Country Tour' Nov. 15 and 16.
This year's tour fundraiser features five homes and the Wayne County Museum. Three of the homes are located outside of Wayne, prompting the name change.
On the list of homes is that of Melissa Dobbins, Elizabeth King (Rose Cottage) Karen Long and Mark Hill, Laura and Randy Nelson (Dreamer's Place) and Rhonda and Ron Sebade.
In addition, the Wayne County Museum, located at Seventh and Lincoln Streets, will be included in the tour.
Tour hours will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tickets can be purchased at State Nebraska Bank, both branches, Elkhorn Valley Bank, Bloom and Grace, I Wet My Plants, Wayne Greenhouse, and the Museum on the day of the tour.
In coming weeks, a description of the homes that will be on the tour will be included in the Wayne Herald, along with the address of each.
The Rose Cottage is locally owned and operated by Elizabeth King, a Wayne State Alumna who purchased her former sorority house to turn it into a world-class bed and breakfast named Rose Cottage.
Located across the street from Wayne State College, the cozy Arts and Crafts brick cottage was built in 1927 and has been tastefully restored. The historic property maintains original architectural details including oak floors, arched doorways, a fireplace, and plenty of built-in features.
Rose Cottage also features antique furniture throughout along with time-period appropriate light fixtures, vintage style headboards, and decorative objects. The interior utilizes the Preservation Palette historic paint colors.
“Both my grandma and aunt were antique dealers and collectors, so I came by my love of antiques honestly,” explained King.
“Rose Cottage is filled with a life-long collection of Victorian and Arts & Crafts period antiques. When we moved from our acreage north of Bradshaw, we lived in a two and a half story, 1914 farmhouse. Moving into a much smaller house, we had to pick and choose what antiques would be used in the cottage and what pieces would have to be sold.”
King continued, “Many of the antiques that we chose to keep were family pieces. Because of the sentimental value, they’re nearly impossible to part with.”
Multiple stained-glass pieces are beautifully displayed throughout the cottage. They include large windows from Greeley County Catholic churches as well as custom made pieces designed by local artist Connie Hall.
“The stained-glass window that is in the dining room came from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wolbach. My parents, Bernard and Kay, were married there in 1957. The windows were being sold as the church building was being repurposed as a bed and breakfast,” says King.
“The window that is in the upstairs hallway came from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley. The window had been taken out to place an elevator in the building. Kruse Stained Glass of Hartington painstakingly replaced all the disintegrating leading between the panes and then placed the piece of Greeley County history into a window box with new and improved LED lighting within.”
King continued, “My paternal grandparents, Leroy and Ethel Yax, were married in Sacred Heart in 1927. I’m beyond blessed to have such beautiful pieces from the county where my ancestors immigrated. Greeley County holds such a special place in my heart.”
Christmas décor reflects the “reason for the season” including a beautiful Nativity scene placed on the fireplace mantel. There are also plenty of beloved family keepsakes and collectibles from throughout Europe including Swedish crystal and Christmas treasures from Germany.
King has traveled extensively throughout Europe, including multiple trips to her ancestral homelands of Sweden, Denmark and Ireland.
Her dining room and sitting area will contain several pieces reflecting her heritage and love of all things Scandinavian including Orrefors and Kosta Boda Swedish crystal. King had the privilege to visit the original Orrefors glassworks factory along with her mom Kay while in the country visiting family in 1987.
The King family visited family in 2013 on both the west and east coasts of Sweden. While they were there, they spent a memorable afternoon touring the Dala Horse factory in the Dalarna province. Elizabeth has collected these Swedish designed, brightly colored, wooden hand carved horses for years.
Also on display in the dining room will be her extensive collection of King’s Crown Cranberry glassware. Originally produced by the Indiana Glass Co., 1953-1967, the treasures have been picked up through the years at various thrift stores and garage sales.
“I love to display the cranberry-colored collectibles throughout Christmas and Valentine’s Day,” explained King, “the color ties in beautifully with these two holiday seasons.”
The King family hosted Jule Dane, a foreign exchange student from Germany from 2015 to 2016. Treasured Christmas gifts from her are also on display throughout the cottage.
“I’m excited to share a piece of Wayne County history as part of this year’s tour of homes fundraiser. The Wayne County Museum is a gem in Wayne’s crown and I’m honored to support it,” concluded King.
