The 1870s federal style Church Street residence of doctors Bill and Peggy Hoffman will become the Allentown Arts Museum of the Lehigh Valley's Society of the Arts 'Show House' for 2014. The SOTA show house has been dubbed "Downtown Abbey" due to both the estate feel of the property grounds and its history, which has it evolving from the land holdings of William Penn, to the Moravians, and eventually to a series of private homeowners.

Individual designers are collaborating by applying their talents to assigned rooms and space by giving makeovers to interior rooms and the garage at the back of the property. In keeping with the SOTA's 2014 Show House theme of "refresh, renew, redo," designers will showcase their styles by using color, fabric and antiques to supplement and compliment the Hoffman's current decor and furnishings.

Some work is already underway, according to designer Dolores Baker, who is responsible for the formal living room. Baker has had the Hoffman's Chippendale camelback sofa and two love seats removed for re-upholstering. Much of the work will be completed during April in time for an April 25 preview event that will include tours of the residence followed by a preview party at the ArtsQuest Center.

Tickets to tour the show house will run $12 for advance purchases and $15 at the door. Tickets for the preview party are $75 per person. Tickets are available by contacting the Allentown Art Museum at 610-432-4333. The SOTA Show House will be open daily from April 26 through May 18.

In addition, a 'Grand Fashion Show Luncheon' will be held at the Hotel Bethlehem May 3 and an 'Art in Bloom Garden Tea' will be held May 17 at the Anne and Bruce Lawrence residence located at 404 Center St., Bethlehem. Contact the Allentown Art Museum for additional information or visit area businesses, The Wearever Wardrobe, C. Leslie Smith, or Moravian Book Shop and Gift Gallery for tickets.

Society of the Arts, SOTA, is a women's volunteer service organization of the Allentown Art Museum that is celebrating its 50th year and 41st show house anniversaries. SOTA has contributed over $1.1 million to the Art Museum for educational programming.