CURWENSVILLE- Get ready to grab your partners and do-si-do!
Irvin Manor in Curwensville is taking reservations now for its first dance event.
It will be “an evening of Victorian dance and merriment” on Saturday, Aug. 10. The ball features the Civil War Dance Foundation from the Gettysburg area.
Members of the group will teach attendees how to dance before they hit the dance floor in the ballroom upstairs.
Live musicians will provide the music for the ball.
“There is no stress. Professionals are going to show you how to do it,” stated Jennifer Tubbs of Irvin Manor.
The Civil War Dance Foundation website explains, “Our dancers slowly demonstrate each dance while the dance master explains the moves. Then, the guests are placed in formation and walked through the moves. When the music starts, everyone dances.
“During the dancing, several of our dancers serve as ‘floor managers’ and circulate around the dance floor to assist any guests having difficulties.”
Prior to the dance, a meal including scones and sandwiches from the Strawberry Tree, and more will be served. During the meal, there will be speakers discussing the history of the home and era.
People are encouraged, but not required to dress in costumes of the period.
Seating is limited to 40 people. To register, you can call 814-553-8672. The cost is $40 per person.
Plans are already being made for a special Christmas Ball on Dec. 14 during the “Christmas in Curwensville” promotion.
Irvin Manor is an historic home of which construction began in 1858 by John Irvin. He was building it for his then fiancée with plans for the couple to move into it after they married. Unfortunately, while he was off to fight in the Civil War, she decided to marry someone else.
John never lived in the home. After it was finished, it was used by the Irvin family as a guest house or for balls until it was purchased by a family member and given to the Masons in 1924. They used it as their Masonic Temple, according to Jennifer Tubbs, who along with her sister, Shelly Ferlemann, manages the property.
In 1995 it was opened as “Angels and Unicorns” by Tom and Carolyn Foster, a couple originally from Texas who had renovated homes in other states.
It became a bed and breakfast and event center. Health issues brought the end of their business.
It was empty for a while, but in the early 21st century, another couple, Paul and Ellen Jensen bought it, after Ellen fell in love with the majestic home.
They were antique dealers who lived in it as a private residence, Jennifer noted. After his wife died, he sold it to Shelly and her husband, Paul in 2022, along with a few antiques he had collected.
Having this home has been a dream of Shelly’s for years, Jennifer said.
Commenting on the unique type of events held at Irvin Manor, Jennifer noted, “We are a niche. It is just for certain people who like old houses and history.”
Irvin Manor LLC also serves as a bed and breakfast with special theme rooms.
For families, the Garden Room is connected to the Kid’s Room, which has a pirate bed and a princess bed.
Since the house can be rented for special events, you can even get married in the house, and then spend your honeymoon in either the Bride’s Room or the Groom’s Room.
Other rooms include the Civil War Room, the Revolutionary Room or The King’s Room.
Irvin Manor has been rented for other special occasions such as bridal or baby showers, birthday parties and family/school reunions.
It has hosted several successful murder mystery dinners. The next one is Oct. 26, and is themed as “Edgar Allen Poe: the Fall of the House of Irvin.”
While Curwensville is having its special “Home for the Holidays” promotion in November, Irvin Manor will have a special Open House, giving everyone a chance to see this beautiful home.
Unfortunately, restoring and maintaining this historic building is a never-ending project. Currently the cracks in the stone in the home are being repaired and in August, the porch will be getting a new roof, Jennifer said.
Supporting Irvin Manor’s special events helps the family with their restoration efforts.
For more information on Irvin Manor LLC, you can check out its Facebook page, its Web site irvinmanorllc.com, or e-mail Jennifer at jtubbs@curwensville.org.