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 – 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 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

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!


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 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)

“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)

“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)
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.***