Nancy De Gennaro, The Daily News Journal, November 25, 2017
Dr. Greg Nicholson will open his home at 746 E. Main St. in Murfreesboro for the annual Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2. The home was built by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lively and used as a residence as well as a photography studio.
One of the stops on the Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes, which is set for 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2, used to be a hub of social activity during the 1900s.
Now owned by Dr. Greg Nicholson, the home at 746 East Main Street was built by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lively.
According to local historian Bill Jakes, Lee Lively’s father, William Lively, opened the Southern School of Photography in McMinnville in 1904. The elder Lively was known for his invention of a camera that produced 30-by-60 inch glass negatives.
‘Additionally, the 30-by-60 camera was co-created with George Eastman of Eastman/Kodak fame. Three of the prints from that camera are housed in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian, Jakes said. Lee Lively followed in his father’s footsteps and became one of the premier photographers of his era, Jakes said.
The East Main Street home was built to house the family as well as the photography business. ‘The upstairs of Lively’s house was also his photo studio, and his wife, Lily, was a founding member of the Murfreesboro Gardening Club,’ Jakes noted.
Today the refurbished home retains its turn-of-the-century charm, said Lea Anne Bedsole, who helped stage the home for the holidays.
Seven other homes, including historic Oaklands Mansion, and one church also will be tour stops this year. You can drop by any tour stop and purchase tickets, or do so in advance at the Oaklands Mansion gift shop, 900 N. Maney Ave.
This year Oaklands Association also is partnering with Middle Tennessee State University to ferry patrons from site to site.
‘You will have the option to drive the tour route or ride in style on the Raider Express as they shuttle you along the way,’ said James Manning, executive director of Oaklands.
You can, however, purchase tickets online in advance at OaklandsMansion.org.
In addition to tours of festively decorated downtown sites, Oaklands Mansion will host its first Holiday Marketplace in Maney Hall. A selection of local artisans from around Murfreesboro will feature their wares for holiday shoppers.
‘It’s the perfect opportunity to make holiday purchases for friends and family while enjoying the sights and sounds of the season at the historic Oaklands Mansion,’ said Mary Beth Nevills, education director at Oaklands.
While you’re at Oaklands, be sure to stop by The Beet Poet food truck for a hot beverage and warm treat. There also will be a live Nativity scene displayed on the grounds by Southeast Baptist Church’s Bethlehem Marketplace.
Admission to the marketplace is included with tickets to the Candlelight Tour of Homes. Advance tickets are $15 for adults until Nov. 30. Admission is $20 per adult at the door, $10 for students and children, and free for ages 6 and under.
Tour stops
Here are the addresses for the Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes, set for 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2:
• Oaklands Mansion, Cottage & Holiday Marketplace, 900 N. Maney Ave.
• Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Turman/Hippie Haven Studios, 420 E. Burton St.
• Mr. and Mrs. Justin Holder, 820 E. Burton St.
• Barbara Sutton, 821 E. Burton St.
• Mr. & Mrs. Barry Clark, 716 E. Burton St.
• Melinda Haines, 119 Cherry Lane
• Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hopkins, 702 E. Main St.
• Dr. Greg Nicholson, 746 E. Main St.
• First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 907 E. Main St.