Famous 'Christmas House' Items To Be Auctioned Off: Report

TORRINGTON, CT — You will have the opportunity to own some of the the famous 'Christmas House' items this week as an auction is scheduled for April 11 at City Hall. For years, Ron Merriman, homeowner of 'The Christmas House' at 285 Main St., operated a famous Christmas lights display.

He was forced to vacate the home that became an annual destination spot for families across the state during the Christmas season. He owed in excess of $10,000 in unpaid mortgage and his house was foreclosed on late last year.

Merriman said last year that he ran out of money and had no plans to set up his extravagant lights, but he saw a woman and her young son staring at the house and knew he had to do it one last time. Merriman's display is so popular that it was featured on the state of Connecticut's website under ConneCT Kids.

The Republican-American reports that the auction will feature items that Merriman used to decorate the Christmas House including "hundreds of discontinued mercury glass Coca-Cola figurines and Christmas-themed dolls." The items were placed in city-owned storage after the Merriman's were removed from their home on March 17, the Rep-Am reports.

He was escorted out of his home on March 17 leaving behind many of his famous decorations. At the time he told the Rep-Am he didn't have the money necessary to relocate his belongings.

The minimum bid for the decorations is $1,325. Webster Bank purchased the house at an auction.

Merriman's display started in 1982 and featured a "spectacular display of Christmas lights, Christmas scenes, animated figures, angels, snowmen/snowwomen, dolls, stuffed animals, and just about every cartoon character that ever had a Christmas Special on TV or in the movies. If you had, or still have, a favorite character, from Frosty to Snoopy, chances are you will see it on display at the Torrington Christmas House," according to the state's website.

The electricity bill was nearly $2,000 a month.

Prior to the auction, Merriman tried a last ditch attempt to keep his home by starting a GoFundMe. It raised $200 but a lively debate broke out on the page. Some folks advocated the community and beyond should do whatever they can to help the family keep their home, while others blasted Merriman for not paying his mortgage and taxes.

>>>Read More about the auction at the Rep-Am.

>>>Read and watch the Fox 61 segment here.

Image via GoFundMe which is a Patch partner.