Ohio’s Historical Homes You Should Visit This Holiday Season

Getting ready to decorate your home for the holidays?  Need a few inspirational ideas Why not take what I like to call “The Ultimate Holiday Home Tour.”   Below I have listed five historic homes that are well worth a visit this holiday season. Staff, as well as many volunteers work countless hours decorating these beautiful historic homes for the holidays.

The Arms Family Museum in Youngstown is decorated in the theme of Memories of Christmas Past.  “Tidings from Akron” can be found at The Hower House Mansion in Akron.   Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, also in Akron is Decking the Halls with “Gracious Gatherings”.  Step back in time at the Reeves Victorian Home in Dover.  Enjoy “Home for the Holidays” at the Lake History Center, and finally enjoy a Candlelight Holiday Tour at Louis Bromfield’s Big House at Malabar Farms.

Arms Family Museum
Arms Family Museum | Photo credit: Diane Rock My Ohio Fun (2021)
Arms Family Museum – Memories of Christmas Past

Dates: November 19  – December 31, 2022
Tour Times: The exhibit is open November 19-December 31, 2022. Hours for the museum are Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00pm-4:00pm; and Thursday 12:00pm-7:00pm. There will be special hours on Monday, December 26 from 12:00pm-4:00pm. The final day of the exhibit will be on Saturday, December 31 from 12:00pm-7:00pm. The Museum is closed on all other Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Location:  648 Wick Ave, Youngstown
Phone: 330-743-2589 | website

Admission Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8 for children (3-17). FREE Active Military and Veterans (with ID).

To learn even more about the 2022 holiday exhibit- CLICK HERE.

 

For local visitor bureau information visit
Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

 


Hower House Museum
Hower House Museum 2022 | Photo credit: Diane Rock My Ohio Fun
Hower House Victorian Mansion – “Tidings from Akron”

Dates: Holiday Hours 2022
November 4th – December 18th
Friday & Saturdays 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tours start on the hour. | Group tours by appointment.
Location: The University of Akron
60 Fir Hill, Akron, OH  44325
330.972.6909 | website


 


Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Holiday Lights
Photo courtesy of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Deck the Hall: Gracious Gatherings
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Dates: November 25-27 & Dec 1-4, 8-23, 26-30, 2022
Tour Times: 5-9pm, select evenings through December 30, 2022
Admissions closes at 8pm. Estate is open until 9pm.
Location: 714 North Portage Path, Akron, Ohio
330-836-5533 | website

More than one million lights illuminate the estate, and the Manor House features classic Christmas movies and holiday favorites. Santa is back, as well as everyone’s favorite: HOT gingerbread cookies!

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Akron Ohio
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens 2022| Photo credit: D. Rock | My Ohio Fun

 

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens






Reeves Victorian Museum Dover Ohio
Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum (photo courtesy of the museum)
Christmas at the Reeves Home

Date: November 11 – December 22 & December 27-30, 2022
Closed Thanksgiving Day | December 11, 2022 (Open House)
​Time: Wednesdays – Sundays, 1-7 p.m.
Location: J. E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum
325 East Iron Avenue, Dover, OH
Phone:   330.343.7040 | 800.815.2794
website

SPECIAL 2022 HOLIDAY EVENT

The Reeves Museum is proud to present this new and immersive adaptation of Dickens’ timeless holiday classic! Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays, December 2&3, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, at 8:00pm.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Museum office, 330-343-7040, or online at
www.simpletix.com/e/a-christmas-carol-tickets-117714.

Cost is $35 per person, $30 for Reeves Museum members.

Due to the immersive and mobile nature of this production, audience members will be required to stand for a significant portion of the 85 minute performance, navigate stairs on multiple occasions, and will, at times, be in close quarters to other audience members. While this production is family friendly, it does touch on some mature themes and is recommended for children 10 and older.

“Christmas is a special time at the J. E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum.  During the holidays all seventeen rooms of the home are decorated for the Holiday season. Tours for the Christmas season begin November 11.  Guided tours are led by one of our knowledgeable tour guide staff and will include an introduction to the home, history of the home, and information and anecdotes about the Reeves family.”

(Photo courtesy of J.E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum.)


 

Candlelight Holiday Tour Malabar Farms
Candlelight Holiday Tour – Malabar Farms
Candlelight Tours at Malabar Farms

Dates/times: December 2, 3, 9, & 10, 2022 : 5-8pm | December 4 & 11, 2022 : Noon-4pm
Location:  Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843
419.892.2784 | website
Admission:  $6.00 for adults (ages 18+) | $4.00 for children (ages 6-17) | Ages 5 and under FREE
No Pre-Registration Required

Tour Louis Bromfield’s Big House all decked out for the holiday! Enjoy freshly baked cookies, hot cider; and special entertainment. Purchase tickets at the Visitor Center gift shop before walking to the Big House

(photo credit: Malabar Farm State Park)


 

Home for the Holidays Lake County
Lake County History Center: Home for the Holidays
“Deck the Halls”

General Admission Days
Dates: Open house December 2-3, 2022
Time:  11AM-4PM
Location: Lake County History Center
415 Riverside Dr., Painesville, OH  44077
Cost: $8 Members; $10 Non-Members; $5 12 and under; 3 and under free. Pre-sale or walk-ins welcome.

To get more information, call: 440-639-2945.
Phone: 440.639.2945 | website

Start the season off with a sight to behold at the Lake County History Center’s Deck the Halls celebration.

> Enjoy a tour of our Christmas decorations
> Hear Christmas music of the Magical Musical Machines from our unique music box display.
> Take home delicious baked goods from The Peppermint Lane Sweet Shop.
> Choose a special gift from the North Pole Novelties gently used gift shop.
> Fill up on snacks at the Nutcracker Cafe
> Be dazzled by our light display in the event barn
> Take a walk down memory lane with a special display of “Candy Cane Cottage” memories with the Western Reserve Junior Service League. The display was located on the 2nd floor of Carlisle’s Department Store in Painesville.

(Photo courtesy of Lake County Historical Society)


The Victorian Museum
Victorian House Museum
“Songs of the Season”
Victorian House Museum

Dates: Nov. 19 -Dec. 31, 2021
Hours are Sunday – Thurs 1:00-4:00pm and Friday & Saturday 1:00-8:00pm.
Location: 484 Wooster Rd. Millersburg, OH 44654
330.674.0022 | holmeshistory.com

The house decorated by society volunteers inside and out with over 15,000 lights outside.   This years theme is Songs of the Season.  Each room will have a popular Christmas Carol as a theme and elements of the decorating will take on aspects of the song

(photo courtesy of the Victorian House Museum)


Ohio Holiday Festivals and Events


Article and photos, unless noted by: D. Rock, MyOhioFun.com

Diane Rock is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com, NorthernOhioTourism.com and the Tea Cup Rescue Society. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel.  She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.

Editor’s note:  Part of this story ran in 2020.  The dates and additional events have been updated for the 2021 season. Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.

***Disclosure:  My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***


Ohio sleigh and carriage rides