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 – Back to Greystone. “A Magical Homecoming” can be found at The Hower House Victorian Mansion in Akron. Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, also in Akron is Decking the Halls with “Lights Camera Christmas”. Step back in time at the J.E. Reeves 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 – Memories of Christmas Past
Back to Greystone
Dates: November 20 – December 31, 2021
Tour Times: Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00-4:00pm
(closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s 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)
“This season’s overall theme, “Back to Greystone,” not only reflects the long-awaited return to the in-person, visitor experience for the holiday season but will also portray festive décor and traditions during the time period of the early 1900s to the 1930s, inspired by how Olive F. A. Arms might have dressed and decorated her home in that era.”
To learn even more about the 2021 holiday exhibit- CLICK HERE.
For local visitor bureau information visit
Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hower House Victorian Mansion – “A Magical Homecoming”
Dates: November 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 25-28, December 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 2021
Times: Friday & Saturday Noon – 3pm | Sunday 1pm-4pm
Tour Times: Self-guided
Group tours by appointment.
Location: The University of Akron
60 Fir Hill, Akron, OH 44325
330.972.6909 | website
Deck the Hall: Lights Camera Christmas
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Dates: November 26-28 & Dec 2-5, 9-23, 26-30, 2021
Tour Times: 5-8pm, select evenings through December 30, 2021
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!
Christmas at the Reeves Home
Dates: November 11 – December 22, and Dec 27-30, 2021
(Closed Thanksgiving)
Times: Daily 1pm to 7pm (last tour leaves at 6:30 PM)
Location: J. E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum
325 East Iron Avenue, Dover, OH
Admission: Regular guided tours are $10.
Children ages 6-18 are $5.
Discounts: Monday college ID no charge | Tuesday 1st responders/veterans pay only $7 | Wednesday: Senior Citizen day $2 off
Phone: 330.343.7040 | 800.815.2794
website
“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 Tours at Malabar Farms
Dates: December 3-5, 10-12, 2021
Times: Dec 3,4,10,11 3pm – 8pm | Dec 5 & 12 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”
General Admission Days
Dates: December 2-22, 2021
Time: 11AM-4PM
Location: Lake County History Center
415 Riverside Dr., Painesville, OH 44077
Admission: $5, under age 3 FREE
To get more information, call: 440-639-2945.
Phone: 440.639.2945 | website
If you haven’t decorated and love Christmas trees, you will be enamored with our displays. Enjoy the magical wonders of the holidays with a tour of the beautifully decorated Lake County History Center. $7 per person
(Photo courtesy of Lake County Historical Society)
“Welcome Home for the Holidays”
Victorian House Museum
Dates: Nov. 20 -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
Also brought back by popular demand is our outdoor winter wonderland lighting display with over 14,000 lights. Admission is $10.00 adults, $9.00 seniors 60+, $3.00 student 12-18 and under 12 FREE.
(photo courtesy of the Victorian House Museum)
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.***
