What links singer Taylor Swift, the vocalist whose every move is chronicled in the media, with the upcoming Essex Historical Society (EHS) Holiday House Tour? Given Swift’s immense following, a devoted fan might say that she is linked to everything, but there is a genuine, honest-to-goodness connection—as tenuous as it may be.

The connection is that Melinda Kingsbury, who is the co-chair of the EHS tour with Gus Bentivegna, grew up in Kansas City and remains, after many years in Essex, a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. And, who is the star tight end for the Chiefs? It’s Travis Kelce, who, as all Swifties know, is Taylor’s gentleman. So, now connect the dots.

The house tour, which is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7, will feature six historic Essex houses with interiors decorated for the holiday season.

“Historic houses for the historical society. Each of the houses is unique” Melinda says.

The residences, four of which are some 200 years old, show both their origins and the imaginative ways in which they have been adapted for modern living.

All the houses are in walking distance from the center of downtown Essex.

According to Melinda, one of the biggest attractions of the event is the opportunity to tour the large and impressive Champlin House at the head of Essex Main Street.

The house once belonged to Henry Champlin, born in 1786, a successful sea captain who became the owner of the first packet boat line, the Black X line, which went from New York City to London. When he retired from the sea, Champlin became the first president of the Essex Savings Bank.

“It is really a rare opportunity to see the house,” Melinda says.

In addition to the six historic houses, Melinda points out that the tour will also feature a number of other Essex attractions. People who purchase tickets will also be able to visit the Connecticut River Museum, which at this time of year is featuring Steve Cryan’s train show, an exhibit which has become a fixture of the local holiday season.

The Essex Art Association is hosting Chilly, Cheap & Chili—the last art show of the season—and its name is no mistake. In addition to art, the show features a cup of chili for guests.

There will also be a chance for something to eat at St. John’s Church, which is serving sweets and hot cider, in addition to hosting a tour of the church.

This event is the first major fundraiser which the EHS has organized since the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will support the educational activities of the society, including hands-on programs for students at Essex Elementary School, as well as enrichment activities for Valley Regional High School students. EHS has also worked with students at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School in Westbrook and Westbrook Middle School.

Melinda, now a member of EHS Board of Trustees, and her late husband Jack first visited Essex during the holiday season on the day of the annual Trees in the Rigging celebration. They were living in Fairfield County at the time, and Melinda remembers imagining what it would be like to live in Essex. They didn’t imagine for long. Instead, they took the next step by moving to the community.

“We never looked back,” she says.

Melinda has had a long career in the cosmetics industry. After graduating from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, she found her first job in Dallas, where she had gone with a college friend.

Melinda started out as a trainer for salespeople who worked at drugstore cosmetics counters and was then later promoted to New York City, where she was a trainer for department store salespeople.

Melinda advanced to the executive ranks of several cosmetic companies, including Guerlain and Chesebrough Ponds. Although their products were primarily directed at women, the management of the companies was typically done by men. Melinda was an exception.

“All the company pictures were men. They must have asked who the woman in the yellow suit in the front row was,” she says.

Locally, Melinda has been a volunteer at Essex Elementary School as a part of the Readers Aloud program. She first read a story once a week to a 4th-grade class. This year, her listeners have changed: They are now the kindergarteners.

She has also worked as an afterschool tutor at Essex Elementary School.

Melinda’s volunteer activities have previously involved working on a house tour as head of the vendors’ boutique at what was once an Essex holiday staple—The Child and Family Agency House Tour.

Melinda still works on a part-time basis at what she calls her retirement job, working in sales at J.McLaughlin, a clothing chain with a store in Essex.

Melinda was aware that organizing the EHS Holiday House Tour would involve many hours of work. However, she knows that all of the effort is certainly worth it.

“I knew what I was getting into, but I love doing it,” she says. “I think people are looking forward to this. I think everybody likes to look at homes.”

The EHS Holiday House Tour is taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7. Prior to the day of the event, tickets can be purchased for $60 by visiting www.essexhistory.org/HHT2024. On the day of the event, tickets can be purchased for $70 at Essex Town Hall.