This year has proved to be a significant one for the Sippican Woman’s Club of Marion.

Not only did the club host its 26th annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, but it is also celebrating the bicentennial of its meeting house, Handy’s Tavern.

Built in 1812, Handy’s Tavern has been the club’s meeting house since 1923 and the first stop on the annual house tour since 1986.

For club member Heidi Taft, the tour was the perfect opportunity to show off one of Marion’s oldest buildings.

“It’s nice to be in this historic setting and have people come in and see the tavern,” Taft said.

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the tavern, the club chose “Rustic Christmas” as a decorating theme. The ladies decorated the house in the style of a 19th century tavern.

“It’s amazing,” Taft said. “The Woman’s Club can take the tavern and transform it.”

Since 1986, the tour has been a staple of the town’s holiday festivities, said Woman’s Club President Susan Ford.

“It’s by far the biggest fundraiser we have and it’s very effective,” Ford said. “I have realized that the town loves it. There are a lot of ladies but also a lot of husbands that go on the tour. My husband loves it. It’s a great way to start the holiday season.”

Proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for local students. Since its inception, the event has proven to be a great success, Ford said. Last year, the club met its $13,000 goal.

After visiting the tavern, guests moved on to the next 11 stops on the tour, which are traditionally kept a secret until the actual day of the event.

To get participants to open their homes for the event, the club begins reaching out to local residents early in the year.

“We’re very fortunate to have homeowners who are generous,” Ford said.

This year's tour included stops at the Marion Art Center’s gallery of Cecil Clark Davis paintings, afternoon tea at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, a lunch at the First Congregational Church Community Center, and the Holiday Shoppe at the Music Hall.

Below are a few of the highlights from some of the stops on the tour.

450 Point Road

Designer Kate Ross recently moved into her home at 450 Point Road, which was a labor of love for the former Executive Director of the New Bedford Art Museum.

For the most part, Ross designed the house herself - from the architecture to the interior. Her goal was to attain a modern look with high ceilings and open rooms. To help pull her designs together, Ross said she relied on a few local artists and carpenters.

“It was so much fun and such a creative process,” Ross said. “I’m already looking for the next one.”

11 Bayberry Lane

Born in Marion, Fredericka See moved back to town two years ago after a 40-year absence. Her home, located at 11 Bayberry Lane, is a contemporary cape built in 1970. The house is decorated in western fashion. The room above the garage is known as “the cowgirl room.”

Elizabeth Taber Library

Built in 1872, the Elizabeth Taber library was completed in the style of Victorian Greek Revival architecture. Its namesake, Elizabeth Taber, donated $4,000 to the town to construct the building.

For more on the history of Handy’s Tavern, click here.