Christmas Tour of Homes
The Christmas Tour of Homes was conceived by the Dennison Depot Women's Committee in 1993 and originally sponsored by the Dennison Depot. It is a welcome tradition in the Tuscarawas Valley area, kicking off the Christmas holiday season.
The Heritage Home Association of Tuscarawas County has been hosting the event since 2009.
The 2025 Christmas Tour of Homes will be
Sunday, December 14, from 12 noon to 5 pm.
Tickets will go on sale on our website or at participating retailers in November.
The Heritage Home Association of Tuscarawas County has been hosting the event since 2009.
The 2025 Christmas Tour of Homes will be
Sunday, December 14, from 12 noon to 5 pm.
Tickets will go on sale on our website or at participating retailers in November.
Christmas Tour of Homes 2024
30th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes 2024
Welcome to the 30th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 12 noon to 5 pm.
We have an excellent line up of 8 sites for you this year and one of them is on the National Register of Historic Places!
The sites for this year's tour are in the Newcomerstown and Port Washington areas – we are excited about this region because we have never been this far south in Tuscarawas County for our tour before!! We hope you will still have time to visit the J. E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum on the day of the tour. The Reeves Museum will be decorated in all its finest holiday regalia and is open from 1 pm to 5 pm on December 8 for a discounted price of $3 (that day only).
Maybe you can even take time to get a bite to eat or a chai tea in downtown Newcomerstown at 143 W. Main Street at the Main Street Coffee or just grab lunch from one of the fast-food restaurants on Route 36 on the way to or from the sites. Don't forget to check out the Village Gift Shoppe at 106 N. Walnut Street in Gnadenhutten if you have time.
Tickets this year will go on sale November 18 here on the website until midnight on Friday, December 6.
Tickets can also be purchased at the following locations:
Geib Funeral Home of Dover until Friday, December 6 at 5 p.m.
Geib Funeral Home of New Phila until Saturday, December 7 at noon
First National Bank of Dennison, Dennison location only, until Saturday, December 7 at noon
Pam's Posies at 732 Boulevard Street Dover until Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the doors. Tickets are limited!!!!
Please wear shoes that are comfortable and that can be easily removed, unless you choose to wear our shoe covers in the homes (some people bring their own house slippers to wear in the homes). There is quite a bit of walking and many steps if you go to all three floors of two of the sites.
Tickets ordered through the PayPal website will be picked up at The Olde Main Street Museum (Newcomerstown Historical Society) at 213 West Canal Street, Newcomerstown, OH 43832 on Sunday, December 8 from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Before you pick up your tickets, check out 415 North Bridge Street for a huge winter wonderland display of delightful Christmas inflatables and lights--it is worth seeing and will take you two minutes to get there--put it in your GPS.
#1 Olde Main Street Museum
Newcomerstown Historical Society
213 West Canal Street, Newcomerstown, OH 43823
The photo above is an inside view of the Olde Main Street Museum and Social Center located in the 1915 building formerly known as Lell Shumaker's Ford dealership and later the Herco Factory. An amazing replica of a typical 1904 small American town holds twenty-three storefronts, including a jail, a grocery store, a bank, and the Eureka Hardware, Sam Douglass's saloon which was trashed by Carrie Nation in 1904, an early upper-class music room with Civil War era instruments, Cy Young and Woody Hayes memorabilia, and more!! The Museum has built a whole village inside a building! Right now the venue is featuring a spectacular Christmas Wonder-land, full of beautifully decorated Christmas trees for your holiday enjoyment! Refreshments & Restrooms are available. The Olde Main Street Gift Shop is open today.
Newcomerstown Historical Society
213 West Canal Street, Newcomerstown, OH 43823
The photo above is an inside view of the Olde Main Street Museum and Social Center located in the 1915 building formerly known as Lell Shumaker's Ford dealership and later the Herco Factory. An amazing replica of a typical 1904 small American town holds twenty-three storefronts, including a jail, a grocery store, a bank, and the Eureka Hardware, Sam Douglass's saloon which was trashed by Carrie Nation in 1904, an early upper-class music room with Civil War era instruments, Cy Young and Woody Hayes memorabilia, and more!! The Museum has built a whole village inside a building! Right now the venue is featuring a spectacular Christmas Wonder-land, full of beautifully decorated Christmas trees for your holiday enjoyment! Refreshments & Restrooms are available. The Olde Main Street Gift Shop is open today.
Site #2 Shady Bend Manor, Newcomerstown
Built between 1869 and 1874, the Shady Bend Manor has been coined as "Ohio's Italianate Jewel." It was built by the Honorable John Hardy and his wife Emily Stewart Hardy. This home features three stories and a 60-food belvedere. Designed by well-known Akron architect Jacob Snyder, who designed many churches, offices, and homes all over the United States, this style of home is only one of two known that are still standing. Out of nearly 300 acres of the original farm, only 4.5 acres remain. The house has had many different functions over its 150-year lifespan. Shady Bend Manor, as its been known, has been a private residence, antique shop, restaurant, gambling hall, and it even had a ratskeller in the basement. The house has had many renovations through the years including new electric, new roof, and A/C systems. The home has had at least two fires, on when a log rolled out of the living room fireplace and the other when lightning struck the top of the tower. Through 150 years the Shady Bend Manor has seen its fair share of triumphs and tragedies. The owners are working towards regularly opening the manor for visitors. You can follow the progresson their Facebook page, Shady.Bend.Manor. Refreshments available.
Built between 1869 and 1874, the Shady Bend Manor has been coined as "Ohio's Italianate Jewel." It was built by the Honorable John Hardy and his wife Emily Stewart Hardy. This home features three stories and a 60-food belvedere. Designed by well-known Akron architect Jacob Snyder, who designed many churches, offices, and homes all over the United States, this style of home is only one of two known that are still standing. Out of nearly 300 acres of the original farm, only 4.5 acres remain. The house has had many different functions over its 150-year lifespan. Shady Bend Manor, as its been known, has been a private residence, antique shop, restaurant, gambling hall, and it even had a ratskeller in the basement. The house has had many renovations through the years including new electric, new roof, and A/C systems. The home has had at least two fires, on when a log rolled out of the living room fireplace and the other when lightning struck the top of the tower. Through 150 years the Shady Bend Manor has seen its fair share of triumphs and tragedies. The owners are working towards regularly opening the manor for visitors. You can follow the progresson their Facebook page, Shady.Bend.Manor. Refreshments available.
Site #3 Patterson Home, Newcomerstown
Welcome! Our Pennsylvania hemlock sided barn home was originally built in 1890. This beautiful modern looking home was originally a 30' x 40' post & beam barn with a 14-foot lean-to on the east side that was a partial corn crib. Some years later a 30' x 45' lean-to was built on the rear side that is now an attached garage. We purchased the structure in 1999 from the late Myron and Grace Hoobler and we lived in the farmhouse next door from 1999 until 2018 when we moved into the remodeled barn. Sugarcreek Builders and Jason Erb Builders transformed an old barn, that no longer had much use, into our dream home! Additions which were made to the original barn were an eight-foot width across the whole front of the house plus a front porch. All new pine ceilings were added while still keeping all the original posts & beams visible. When the house was finished we ended up with 2,700 square feet of living space with heated polished concrete floors. Features include a one-bedroom loft with a walk-in closet, two baths with slate tile showers, a laundry, a pantry, and a utility room. In the kitchen is a 13-foot reclaimed barn wood island and two huge windmill ceiling fans which highlight the 32-foot inside ceiling peak. Happy holidays from the Patterson family! Refreshments available.
Welcome! Our Pennsylvania hemlock sided barn home was originally built in 1890. This beautiful modern looking home was originally a 30' x 40' post & beam barn with a 14-foot lean-to on the east side that was a partial corn crib. Some years later a 30' x 45' lean-to was built on the rear side that is now an attached garage. We purchased the structure in 1999 from the late Myron and Grace Hoobler and we lived in the farmhouse next door from 1999 until 2018 when we moved into the remodeled barn. Sugarcreek Builders and Jason Erb Builders transformed an old barn, that no longer had much use, into our dream home! Additions which were made to the original barn were an eight-foot width across the whole front of the house plus a front porch. All new pine ceilings were added while still keeping all the original posts & beams visible. When the house was finished we ended up with 2,700 square feet of living space with heated polished concrete floors. Features include a one-bedroom loft with a walk-in closet, two baths with slate tile showers, a laundry, a pantry, and a utility room. In the kitchen is a 13-foot reclaimed barn wood island and two huge windmill ceiling fans which highlight the 32-foot inside ceiling peak. Happy holidays from the Patterson family! Refreshments available.
Site #4 Mann Home, Port Washington
This High Victorian Italianate Villa was built by William Armstrong, a merchant and land developer in Port Washington. In 1873 this house cost $3,000 to construct. Mr. Armstrong, a native of Dover Township, was superintendent of the Ohio & Erie Canal until 1845 and then he operated a store in Port Washington until he retired in 1876. He died in 1879, just six years after completing the home. His widow, Polly, did not inherit the house, but had to purchase it at auction for $500. Polly lived here until she died in 1884. The Manns, pastors at Restoration Centre in Gnadenhutten, bought the home in 2018 following a house fire where they lost everything. The Mann's love the Victorian style and are working to bring the home back to its original grandeur. In 2020 they added a front porch similar to the original one. Currently the servants' quarters is being remodeled and will soon be open to guests. The house features many curved walls, a curved staircase, and seven gas fireplaces throughout. The couple opened a Bed & Breakfast with the help of their daughter, who passed away unexpectedly following surgery in February 2024. They will continue the business in her memory, on continue Christmas as she loved it so.
This High Victorian Italianate Villa was built by William Armstrong, a merchant and land developer in Port Washington. In 1873 this house cost $3,000 to construct. Mr. Armstrong, a native of Dover Township, was superintendent of the Ohio & Erie Canal until 1845 and then he operated a store in Port Washington until he retired in 1876. He died in 1879, just six years after completing the home. His widow, Polly, did not inherit the house, but had to purchase it at auction for $500. Polly lived here until she died in 1884. The Manns, pastors at Restoration Centre in Gnadenhutten, bought the home in 2018 following a house fire where they lost everything. The Mann's love the Victorian style and are working to bring the home back to its original grandeur. In 2020 they added a front porch similar to the original one. Currently the servants' quarters is being remodeled and will soon be open to guests. The house features many curved walls, a curved staircase, and seven gas fireplaces throughout. The couple opened a Bed & Breakfast with the help of their daughter, who passed away unexpectedly following surgery in February 2024. They will continue the business in her memory, on continue Christmas as she loved it so.
Site #5 Port Washington Union Hall, Port Washington
We invite you to step back in time to our town's fantastic landmark. located on Route 36 at the terminus of the Port Washington Road. Built in 1879, this three-story brick ediface was the cultural and political center of this village for decades, and it was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Originally it was a busy location, housing the mayor's office and council chambers, jail, fire department, auditorium with stage, and the Masonic Lodge meeting rooms. Currently, you will find a well-appointed museum speaking volumes about our area's past. Not to be missed sights are the 1879 Fire Department hand pumper, a magnificent spiral staircase, our every-growing tribute to the local military veterans on the third floor and the stage walls filled with signatures of past performers and rosters of high school graduates. The members of the Port Washington-Salem Historical Society are proud to share this venue with you on the 30th Christmas Tour of Homes and we hope that today will be a lovely and memorable entrance to your holiday season. Refreshments available here.
We invite you to step back in time to our town's fantastic landmark. located on Route 36 at the terminus of the Port Washington Road. Built in 1879, this three-story brick ediface was the cultural and political center of this village for decades, and it was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Originally it was a busy location, housing the mayor's office and council chambers, jail, fire department, auditorium with stage, and the Masonic Lodge meeting rooms. Currently, you will find a well-appointed museum speaking volumes about our area's past. Not to be missed sights are the 1879 Fire Department hand pumper, a magnificent spiral staircase, our every-growing tribute to the local military veterans on the third floor and the stage walls filled with signatures of past performers and rosters of high school graduates. The members of the Port Washington-Salem Historical Society are proud to share this venue with you on the 30th Christmas Tour of Homes and we hope that today will be a lovely and memorable entrance to your holiday season. Refreshments available here.
Site #6 St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Port Washington
St. Paul's was born from the dream of German immigrants who settled in Port Washington. Founded in 1851, the first gathering of St. Paul's met in various homes. St. Paul's Evangelical Church was incorporated on May 30, 1853. On October 28, 1888, the new church was dedicated and remains today as St. Paul's United Church of Christ. This charming church has undergone various renovations over the years with the addition of a basement under the sanctuary in 1925 and an educational building dedicated in 1958. All of the beautiful woodwork in the sanctuary was painted white during the early 20th century. An ambitious project was undertaken in the 980s to remove the paint, even using ice picks and toothbrushes to get down into the crevices, resulting in the beautiful finishes you now see. As part of the woodwork restoration project, all of the pews were taken apart and entry doors were removed. Then the pieces were taken to a firm in Coshocton that "dipped" wood to remove old finishes. That phase took approximately one week. Volunteers then sanded and applied polyurethane finishes to the wood--3 times!! Keeping the original pews was very important to the congregation since they were originally made by a local craftsman in the late 1800s. Pastor Jim Shamel of Dennison serves as our minister. This site has restrooms and handicapped access to the sanctuary. Refreshments and handicapped accessible restrooms will be provided here.
St. Paul's was born from the dream of German immigrants who settled in Port Washington. Founded in 1851, the first gathering of St. Paul's met in various homes. St. Paul's Evangelical Church was incorporated on May 30, 1853. On October 28, 1888, the new church was dedicated and remains today as St. Paul's United Church of Christ. This charming church has undergone various renovations over the years with the addition of a basement under the sanctuary in 1925 and an educational building dedicated in 1958. All of the beautiful woodwork in the sanctuary was painted white during the early 20th century. An ambitious project was undertaken in the 980s to remove the paint, even using ice picks and toothbrushes to get down into the crevices, resulting in the beautiful finishes you now see. As part of the woodwork restoration project, all of the pews were taken apart and entry doors were removed. Then the pieces were taken to a firm in Coshocton that "dipped" wood to remove old finishes. That phase took approximately one week. Volunteers then sanded and applied polyurethane finishes to the wood--3 times!! Keeping the original pews was very important to the congregation since they were originally made by a local craftsman in the late 1800s. Pastor Jim Shamel of Dennison serves as our minister. This site has restrooms and handicapped access to the sanctuary. Refreshments and handicapped accessible restrooms will be provided here.
Site #7 Hunter Farmhouse, Port Washington
Welcome to the Hunter Farmhouse! I am excited to invite you to visit our home during this holiday season, in honor of my late husband who hoped this would be an opportunity for many years. The farmhouse was originally built in 1874, and still features original plank floors, wide cherry woodwork, and the fireplace that was used as the primary way of cooking. We bought the home in 1982 making it our family home ever since. Additions were made to the original farmhouse in 1999 and again in 2023. Both my husband and I were avid antique collectors, and our home is decorated throughout with our amazing finds, including early folk art and furniture, a collection of decorated stoneware made locally in Tuscarawas County, a full size mounted grizzly bear, and so much more. Every room is ready for the season with its own tree and Christmas decorations that complement the style of the home. One of our favorite places to gather is our enclosed porch leading to the beautiful gardens in back. The gardens will be full of lights and decorations and ready to be the backdrop for your holiday photos. Refreshments offered. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Welcome to the Hunter Farmhouse! I am excited to invite you to visit our home during this holiday season, in honor of my late husband who hoped this would be an opportunity for many years. The farmhouse was originally built in 1874, and still features original plank floors, wide cherry woodwork, and the fireplace that was used as the primary way of cooking. We bought the home in 1982 making it our family home ever since. Additions were made to the original farmhouse in 1999 and again in 2023. Both my husband and I were avid antique collectors, and our home is decorated throughout with our amazing finds, including early folk art and furniture, a collection of decorated stoneware made locally in Tuscarawas County, a full size mounted grizzly bear, and so much more. Every room is ready for the season with its own tree and Christmas decorations that complement the style of the home. One of our favorite places to gather is our enclosed porch leading to the beautiful gardens in back. The gardens will be full of lights and decorations and ready to be the backdrop for your holiday photos. Refreshments offered. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Site #8 Miller Farm, New Philadelphia
Welcome to the Miller Farm. Our home is a large eight room country home built by my great-grandfather, Jacob Wenger in 1905. He was a lumberman, and all materials came off the farm. It still has 19 rope windows and five doors leading to the outside. The foundation is large sandstones and it has a wrap-around porch. All the stained woodwork and the black doors have never been redone. The kitchen was remodeled in the 1970s by Meese Cabinets and gain in 2010 by Don Brandt. The upstairs bathroom has the original sink and clawfoot tub. There was no electricity, so in order to flush the commode Jacob ran a waterline from a lake on a nearby hill that supplied sufficient pressure. At first the house had gas lights--he had his own gas well. Then they switched to a Delco system for DC electricity from batteries for lighting. Water was heated in a tank connected to the coal stove. Electricity came to the valley in 1939. The house has a wood burning fireplace and one set of pocket doors. I have over 30 trees. Twelve trees are large, and the rest range from four inches to four feet. I hope you enjoy your visit to the farm as well as the decorations. My favorite tree is the one I remember growing up in the 40s and 50s. Have a safe journey and a Merry Christmas!!
Directions: GPS or Waze will not work here. They will get you close but not to Miller Road. Please follow directions in booklet.
Welcome to the Miller Farm. Our home is a large eight room country home built by my great-grandfather, Jacob Wenger in 1905. He was a lumberman, and all materials came off the farm. It still has 19 rope windows and five doors leading to the outside. The foundation is large sandstones and it has a wrap-around porch. All the stained woodwork and the black doors have never been redone. The kitchen was remodeled in the 1970s by Meese Cabinets and gain in 2010 by Don Brandt. The upstairs bathroom has the original sink and clawfoot tub. There was no electricity, so in order to flush the commode Jacob ran a waterline from a lake on a nearby hill that supplied sufficient pressure. At first the house had gas lights--he had his own gas well. Then they switched to a Delco system for DC electricity from batteries for lighting. Water was heated in a tank connected to the coal stove. Electricity came to the valley in 1939. The house has a wood burning fireplace and one set of pocket doors. I have over 30 trees. Twelve trees are large, and the rest range from four inches to four feet. I hope you enjoy your visit to the farm as well as the decorations. My favorite tree is the one I remember growing up in the 40s and 50s. Have a safe journey and a Merry Christmas!!
Directions: GPS or Waze will not work here. They will get you close but not to Miller Road. Please follow directions in booklet.
NOTES FOR A PLEASANT TOUR
1. Purchase tickets early--A limited number of tickets are available and sell out quickly.
2. Start early so that you can visit all of the sites and plan to spend the afternoon.
3. Safe and comfortable shoes that can easily be removed and put back on are recommended for touring homes. Hospital-style "shoe covers" (aka booties) can also be worn while inside the tour homes, some people even bring their own house slippers to wear inside the homes. High heels are not recommended. Please note there may be a lot of walking from the sites to your vehicle.
4. Tickets that were purchased online will be picked up at the Olde Main Street Museum (Newcomerstown Historical Society) at 213 West Canal Street, Newcomerstown OH 43832 on the Sunday of the tour from 11:45 AM to 2 PM. If tickets are purchased at a retail location or at one of the sites on the day of the tour, you may tour the sites in any order you choose. Please note that to get to Millie Weston's Farmhouse #8, GPS and Waze will not take you all the way there. Use the instructions in the booklet/ticket to get to site #8.
5. Keep your ticket/booklet with you at all times and have it ready to present upon entry to each tour site.
6. Large pocketbooks or bags are not permitted in the homes.
7. Stick around and enjoy the wonderful decorations in downtown Newcomerstown and check out the Main Street Coffee on Main Street and visit our advertisers.
8. Remember that the J. E. Reeves Home at 325 East Iron Avenue, Dover is open for your touring pleasure from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a discounted price of $3.00 on the day of the tour.
1. Purchase tickets early--A limited number of tickets are available and sell out quickly.
2. Start early so that you can visit all of the sites and plan to spend the afternoon.
3. Safe and comfortable shoes that can easily be removed and put back on are recommended for touring homes. Hospital-style "shoe covers" (aka booties) can also be worn while inside the tour homes, some people even bring their own house slippers to wear inside the homes. High heels are not recommended. Please note there may be a lot of walking from the sites to your vehicle.
4. Tickets that were purchased online will be picked up at the Olde Main Street Museum (Newcomerstown Historical Society) at 213 West Canal Street, Newcomerstown OH 43832 on the Sunday of the tour from 11:45 AM to 2 PM. If tickets are purchased at a retail location or at one of the sites on the day of the tour, you may tour the sites in any order you choose. Please note that to get to Millie Weston's Farmhouse #8, GPS and Waze will not take you all the way there. Use the instructions in the booklet/ticket to get to site #8.
5. Keep your ticket/booklet with you at all times and have it ready to present upon entry to each tour site.
6. Large pocketbooks or bags are not permitted in the homes.
7. Stick around and enjoy the wonderful decorations in downtown Newcomerstown and check out the Main Street Coffee on Main Street and visit our advertisers.
8. Remember that the J. E. Reeves Home at 325 East Iron Avenue, Dover is open for your touring pleasure from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a discounted price of $3.00 on the day of the tour.
DISCLAIMER: The Heritage Home Association of Tuscarawas County, Inc., its volunteers, or agents, and the homeowners and/or their volunteers or agents shall not be responsible for accidents, theft, personal injury, nor liable for any other direct or indirect damages resulting to or from participation in the Annual Christmas Tour of Homes.