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Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation will once again host the annual Holiday Tour of Homes 2-6 p.m. Dec. 11.

Eight sites comprised of private homes, styled model residences and a public space will be featured on the tour. For the first time wristbands will be used in place of paper tickets.

The proceeds from the tour fund many of the downtown beautification projects.

Built in 1956, Site No. 3 is a Mid-Century Modern (MCM) home built for Jolee Morris Fuller as a gift from her father.

Fuller was well known locally for her spirited seasonal decorations of the home and for the red 1964 convertible Corvette she drove.

After her passing in 2009, the home was purchased in 2017 by Mark Easler who began renovations and updates to reflect its modernist appeal. The current owner is Sue Harms, a North Carolina native who returned to Albemarle after retirement in Jacksonville, Florida.

A full restoration was necessary to restore the house to its original condition. Accent walls were added and new period style paint colors were updated to those used during the 1950s and 1960s MCM home styles, like the tangerine-colored front door and trim accents.

Harms has changed the color of the front door along with garage door to naval blue. The home was originally equipped with double insulated glass sliding doors In the front of house overlooking a Zen garden which is enclosed by a custom concrete fence.

This area has been re-landscaped to display custom outdoor art.

The home is a true Mid Century Modern style which originally had a refrigerator that hung like a picture on the wall along with green metal cabinets. The appliance group original to the house was called a GE Continental Convenience Package.

Unfortunately, the appliances were unable to be kept except for the oven which is inoperable but still adds character to the kitchen. The kitchen has been updated with MCM wallpaper and a retro orange refrigerator which gives a period vibe.

Further characteristics of MCM homes were designs called Prairie-style architecture popularized by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This home was built of materials like natural stone, woods, glass and concrete to blend into the natural environment landscapes.

MCM typically displayed oversized fireplaces, riverbed floors in stone, expansive living areas with lots of exposed glass allowing large amounts of light to flood the living areas. The new aesthetic was linear and clean lined also referred to as minimalist designs with a focus on simplicity.

The home has an art gallery window front entrance which showcases the green wall which runs the entire length of home and is used to display the owner’s art collection.

Features include rock terrace walkways, redwood siding, stack stoned fireplace, riverbed flooring, skylights and an oversized front door with center doorknob opening. The patio has been expanded with pavers, landscape lighting and pergola.

Site No. 4 is the decorated model home built by Meritage Homes in Morgan Hills, Albemarle’s newest community.

Meritage Homes has homes located in 25 communities in the Charlotte Metro region. Morgan Hills is their first entry in the Albemarle market.

Wristbands are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Advance wristband purchases along with tour map brochures are available at GloryBeans Coffee House, Make It Personal, and Starnes Bramlett Jewelers in downtown Albemarle. For online sales go to www.albemarledowntown.com and look for the Holiday Tour of Homes under the Events tab. Wristbands purchased online will be available for pick up at the will call table at Site 1 on the day of the tour.

Day of tour wristbands and brochures will also be available at Site 1 Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences at 245 E. Main St. in downtown beginning at 1:30 p.m.