The third house featured on the PRO ON TRAC Christmas House Tours is the home of City Recorder Bruce Kolsun and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Kolsun. This home, located at 605 Central Avenue has “lived” through three centuries having been built in 1893, the same year the City of Parsons became the county seat of Tucker County. W. W. Parsons was the original occupant.
The home is often referred to as “The Bank Executive’s Home” as it was owned by two bank executives for over fifty years. Robert Minear, President of The First National Bank of Parsons, purchased the home in 1948 and sold it to David Orr, Vice President of Mountain Valley Bank in 1975. The Orrs, in turn, sold the house to the Kolsuns in 2001 while Cynthia was Superintendent of Tucker County Schools.
In an early picture, one can see the stateliness of the house with it attached carriage house and bell tower. The Minears updated the house making major renovations which truly changed the outside as well as the inside. The Kolsuns moved into the home in January, 2001 during a “typical” Parsons winter, and they did not know until March when the snow thawed that brick walkway encircled the house. The Kolsuns were interested in the “dip” in their backyard, and when they asked David Orr if he had planned to install an in-ground swimming pool, Orr set them straight. He indicated that the “dip” had been the Minear’s clay tennis courts.
Cynthia has a myriad of collections that are incorporated into her Christmas decorations. Hopefully, visitors will enjoy the antiques, Nutcrackers, angels and other items special to the Kolsuns. According to Cynthia, “if you love older houses, you may enjoy touring this home. It has character, creaks, and does show its age, but it is truly a well-built house that’s fun to live in. Bruce and I look forward to having you visit our home for Christmas.”
The PRO ON TRAC Christmas Tours will be held on Friday, December 9 from 5-9 p.m. Three other homes and a business will also be included on the tour. Tickets of $5 can be purchased to tour 
all five locations at City Hall and Shop n’ Save and also the night of the tours at each home beginning at 5:00. A raffle item will be available at each site for $1 per ticket or 6 for $5. Start off your Christmas Celebration in Parsons with the House Tours on Dec. 9 and continue on Saturday, Dec. 10 with the Parsons Christmas Parade!
