It was during our first visit to a small West Virginia town when we noticed the candles.  After settling into our hotel that night, we decided to drive along historic Washington St and began to notice there were lit candles in each of the windows.  It wasn’t the holiday season yet the lights glowed. 

Many of these homes were early colonial style and the charming vision evoked a sense of home, hearth & warmth which remained with us.

For the curious and history buffs, the tradition of lighting candles in the windows dates back to colonial times.  In general, candles in windows have been considered a sign of welcoming to others.  In early America, when homes were often miles apart, the sight of a distant candle in a window was a sign of “welcome” to those wishing to visit.  The full history dates back to events occurring during King Henry II’s reign, but we need not delve that deeply here (although I do love history but I will restrain myself).

The lit candle in the window has been interpreted in many ways.  It has been seen as a beacon of hope for any passerby during the holiday season, and signaled strangers that there would be food and shelter there, should they ask.  It was also a silent prayer for the safe return of an absent person, and part sign there is someone waiting and tending the fire.

It’s with the welcoming spirit of the Candles in the Windows that we open up our home to you and the great adventure of restoring this beautiful old house on Washington St.