The I.O.D.E Evergreen Tour

The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.) is a Canadian women’s charitable organization founded in 1900, with its very first chapter - the Doris E. Sullivan - established in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since 1986, the I.O.D.E. Evergreen Tour has been the chapter’s biggest annual fundraiser, offering participants a festive experience while supporting a meaningful cause.

Mark you calendars for Sunday, December 1st, 2024 from 5:30 - 9 pm, when the Evergreen Tour returns! Enjoy a tour through four beautifully-curated and seasonally-decorated homes in and around Fredericton. It’s a perfect opportunity to get into the spirit of Christmas while giving back to the community. Each chapter generously supports educational endeavours, local shelters, food banks, and philanthropical projects. Scholarships, bursaries, prizes, and awards are given out annually to deserving individuals and groups. By attending the Evergreen Tour, you’re directly contributing to these impactful efforts while gathering inspiration for your own holiday décor.

Tickets are $25 and will be available starting November 1st at: My Consignment Fredericton (5 Trinity Avenue, Corbett Centre), and Jean Coutu (598 Union Street). Or, gets yours online by emailing: dorisesullivanchapter@gmail.com.

I’ve cherished this magical tour for years, and in 2019, I partnered with the local I.O.D.E. chapter to get an exclusive sneak peek of some headliner homes. If you’re curious what makes this tour so special, take a look back at that experience, then explore my collection of tour highlights over the years. I add new photos each year, so there’s always something fresh to enjoy. This year promises to be just as memorable - so don’t miss out! Grab your tickets, support a great cause, and get ready to be inspired.

By The River Bed & Breakfast

By the River Bed & Breakfast sits majestically at 301 Woodstock Road in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Built in the Queen Anne Revival architectural style in 1903 by Scottish immigrant and lumber mill owner, Donald Fraser, this mansion is absolutely captivating. In fact, when Hao Hui first caught a glimpse at midnight (after his late night flight into Fredericton), he fell in love. “I blame him,” Coral Shuai joked, when I sat down for tea with the owners and asked how they came to purchase this property. They shared their journey from their immigration from Beijing, China to their one million dollar renovation investment. It has been a rollercoaster labour of love, with times of overwhelming frustration then culminating pure joy to see their dream B & B come to fruition.

The Chapman House

Coral & Hao learn more about their home’s history every day. They have appreciated every single person who has come forth to share memories. It is well known to most as The Chapman House for the prominent fox farmer, George Chapman, and his family, who once resided there. Chapman descendants attended By the River B & B.’s Open House in the spring of 2019, and many stories and photographs were shared at that time. Coral & Hao then hired a Saint Thomas University Professor, and history student to research more to accurately preserve the history, and record the personal anecdotes to honour all associated with their home. A neighbour, once a stable boy for the Chapmans, shared he recalls the day the exquisite fabric wall covering (ordered from France) was offloaded via the Aberdeen steamship directly behind the house. It is stories like these that Coral & Hao want documented, before they are lost. Plans are being made to display a history on the parlour walls when all details are gathered and complete. Coral expressed how grateful they are for all the support, kindnesses and encouragement that have been extended to them, throughout their immigration, and home renovation process. Coral & Hao opened their inn to Evergreen Tour guests as a show of their appreciation. My talented friend, Reuben Stewart, was the masterful floral stylist who brought his expertise to their B & B for this very special occasion. You might recall Reuben from my There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays’ blog article, where he festively styled my humble home (see link at end of article).

The Castle in New Maryland

Home owners, Barb & David Touchie, will be the first to correct anyone that asks if they live in The Castle in New Maryland. Barb often redirects enquiries with “If you mean, the old stone house that was once the CFNB Radio Station, and later the Forbes House, then, yes, that’s where we live.” David shrugs, and adds, “It is just home. We have been here for years. It’s lived in. Our grandchildren come often and it is our every day.” However, when one tours this beautiful home, it seems more like a magazine layout for Better Homes & Gardens, but Barb modestly adds, “Most of the time, it is just the two of us, so it is pretty easy to keep clean and tidy.”

Baker Castle

Barb and David’s adventure purchasing the former Forbes House, meant totally reconfiguring the blueprint for functionality and flow, as well as redesigning for aesthetic. Prior to their purchase, the stone house had sat empty for several years falling into a state of great disrepair. It took a village to resurrect the building, but it had its share of treasures inside, including three chandeliers that Charles Forbes delighted his wife with during their 1964 renovations. He secured them from a project he was working on in Saint John at the Baker Castle. Mrs. Baker originally selected them in 1911. The Forbes family displayed all three in their living room, and they stayed there for over 50 years, but Barb and David had other plans. One chandelier now hangs high in the foyer turret, then Barb’s favourite & mine (pictured above) hangs above their dining room table. The third adds grandeur to the warm and bright great room.

Interior Designer

Barb, a former interior designer, has a passion and keen eye for design that had Evergreen Tour guests in awe throughout this both grand and cozy home. She makes light of her skillset, but David pipes in sharing that if Barb had her way, they would move every two years, as she just loves changing things up. Barb just smiles and nods, “I would you know! I just love recreating a space.” Good news for anyone that has ever wished to live in an old stone castle, that this is for sale as these two have their minds set on moving once again, to give Barb another creative go. “I think I have one more in me,” she laughs. They will not be going too far though, as family means everything to these two, they will settle somewhere within a 30-minute drive of their nearby grandchildren. Luckily for Evergreen Tour ticket holders, they are welcoming guests this year before they do so.

Evergreen Tour

Two more homes were showcased on the 2019 Evergreen Tour, and those homeowners were just as keen as the ones highlighted. “We cannot give all our secrets away,” Debra Quartermain, Doris E. Sullivan I.O.D.E. Chapter’s Communications Officer teased. So, no more sneak peeks and I had to wait just like the rest of the ticket holders to visit the last two, but rest assured they were indeed just as lovely.

Kickstart the Holiday Season

I have been attending the Evergreen Tour for many years. It is a wonderful way to kickstart the festive season while knowing you are supporting a very worthy charitable organization. Inspiration galore awaits. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of tours gone by; however, to sincerely capture the magic of this special evening, you truly must experience it in person. Hope to see you there!

Government House Reception

The Evergreen Tour reception has culminated at the Government House the past few years which is an added bonus. This certainly caps off the evening in style. Guests can mingle amongst each other and meet local I.O.D.E. members. Tea, coffee, apple cider and sweets are served. A self-guided tour of the elegant rooms on the first floor as well as the art galleries on the second floor is encouraged. Guests savour the excitement here before heading home with with visions of mantels and tablescapes dancing in their heads, inspiring their own festive home decorating thereafter.

Evergreen Tour Tickets

The 2024 I.O.D.E Evergreen Tour will take place on December 1st, with staggered starts at varying homes beginning at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.. Tickets are $25 each. Purchase online at: dorisesullivanchapter@gmail.com beginning on November 1, 2024 or in person at: My Consignment Fredericton (5 Trinity Avenue, Corbett Centre), or Jean Coutu (598 Union Street). All proceeds fund the charitable programs of the I.O.D.E. Doris E. Sullivan Chapter. Get your tickets soon as they sell out quickly! Tell them the Maritimes Maven sent you. Happy Holidays!!

There’s No Place Like Home

Learn how to decorate your own home with foraging floral stylist Rueben Mark Stewart. He helped By The River Bed & Breakfast shine for the Evergreen Tour and he also taught me how to bring the outside in to festively style my own home. Get inspired then learn how to D.I.Y. We share all the tips & tricks in my There’s No Place Like Home article.

This post was sponsored by the I.O.D.E. Doris E. Sullivan Chapter; however, all thoughts & opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!