Heritage Home Christmas Tour features new homes
Featured this year is LifeBridge Community Church on the northeast quadrant of the square in downtown Dover.
Whether stuck for ideas for decorating for Christmas this year or wanting to see some notable homes in Tuscarawas County, the 26th annual Heritage Home Association Christmas Tour of Homes will offer a look inside nine seasonally decorated houses, plus one church, all included with a $15 advance ticket. The tour is set for Sunday, Dec. 8 from noon to 5 p.m.
This year the tour is dedicated to the memory of Jeffrey J. Miller, past president of the organization and an active force in local historic preservation. Miller passed away unexpectedly in October of this year.
“He was involved with the Heritage Home Association in so many ways,” said Rod Kirkendall, vice president of the organization. “Jeff would get right in there, roll up his sleeves and get to work salvaging house parts. As busy as he was, running multiple companies and overseeing more than 1,000 employees, he would always make time for our Olde House Parts sales and would spend the day. He was a good friend to the association, and to me personally, and will be greatly missed.”
All nine homes are new to the tour and have never been featured in the past 25-year history of the seasonal event. “There’s a broad range of houses to tour and a variety of styles. I know people have fun decorating their houses and getting ready,” Kirkendall said, adding he was anticipating his chance to preview the homes for promotional photography sessions.
Featured this year is LifeBridge Community Church on the northwest quadrant of the square in downtown Dover. The location has been home to a church since the beginnings of the city. The current structure dates to 1904.
Recently the congregation has been expanding and restoring the old church, which served as headquarters for the Salvation Army for many years. Visitors can see the newly restored church dome structure and newly revealed stained glass windows.
Also in Dover is the home of Phill and Megan Schwartz at 509 E. Third St., an American Foursquare dating to 1907. Though the house has seen many changes over more than 100 years, visitors will be able to see intact 9-foot ceilings, bay windows and original woodwork on the second level.
The Fran Brogan home at 416 N. Johnson Ave. is a Cape Cod-style brick home built in 1914. Though the home may appear small from outside, large living and dining rooms, a fireplace, wide plank flooring, and exposed beams will draw visitors in with plenty of space.
The feel of a Christmas spent at a vacation lodge home is exactly what one will find at the log home of Rose and Brian Tipka at 4402 Mt. Pleasant Road in Dover, which is inspired by Adirondack camp lodges and features numerous authentic touches.
Mike and Lynn Durbin invite people to see their holiday-decorated home at 304 14th St. in Strasburg. The 1994 custom-build home showcases modern amenities while the family has assembled a home decorated with numerous Christmas trees of various sizes and decorated with festive family favorites.
Don and Linda Weber welcome people to their home at 6941 Winfield-Strasburg Road NW in Strasburg, where attendees will find a brick ranch structure custom built by Syl Hostetler in 1961. Attendees will see collections of Christmas ornaments assembled over many years set among furniture pieces made by Don Weber.
The next stop on the Tour of Homes is the home of Jeff and Heather Duff, also in Strasburg at 7018 Winfield-Strasburg Road NW. The couple are planning a full experience with music, decorations, candles and videos.
Also in Strasburg is the home of Karl and Lynnea Thomas, a farm at 4619 Garber Drive NW. The farm has been in the family since 1930. The home features sandstone basement walls, hand-hewn framework, a slate roof, original grain-painting and mud in the walls for insulation.
Again in Strasburg, the Les and Rose Hostetler Yoder house is at 4448 Hillview Drive NW. The new home was designed by Rose Hostetler, who is a former partner and design coordinator with Hostetler Builders.
Tickets for the Heritage Home Association Christmas Tour of Homes are available online at www.tuschha.org or at the First National Bank office in Dennison, Pam’s Posies in downtown Dover, Geib Funeral Center in Dover and Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia. Tickets the day of the tour are $20.