Christian-Matern House opens to public for a Victorian Christmas

The event is 6-8:30 p.m. at the house, 603 Seventh St. at Avenue F. 

Built in 1892, the house received a Texas historical marker in 1997. The late Victorian structure shows Queen Anne-style influences with decorative woodwork and protruding bay windows, according to historians.

Caryl Calsyn owns the home and has hosted the museum event for several years, officials said. Decorations for the Christmas season match the Victorian style and include a 12-foot Christmas tree in the front bay window, a lighted gingerbread carousel in the kitchen and a Victrola in a bedroom.

The house was built for George Christian and his wife Juliet. Christian was one of 10 owners of the Texas Mining and Improvement Co. that developed Marble Falls. 

Juliet Christian was the daughter of the town’s founder, Confederate Gen. Adam R. Johnson. The couple married in 1887.

Ivo B. and Mina Matern bought the house in 1908 and owned it for 51 years. Matern was a merchant and rancher who served as mayor of Marble Falls in 1937.

Museum board members will assist Calsyn in welcoming visitors and in setting the dining room table with refreshments.

The open house is free and donations to the museum are welcome. For more, call the museum at (830) 798-2157 during office hours, Thursday through Saturday. The museum is at 905 Third St.