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.
28th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes 2022 Welcome to the 28th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 12 noon to 5 pm. We have a marvelous line up of sites for you this year with one very special historic home. This feature home was awarded on of the 23 original Heritage Home Plaques back in 1976 for our country's bicentennial! The sites for this year's tour are in New Philadelphia, Dover, Bolivar, and Zoar--a little spread out, but we hope you will still have time to visit the J. E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum, decorated in all its finest holiday regalia, which will be open from 1 pm to 6 pm on December 11 for a discounted price of $3 (that day only). Tickets this year will go on sale on November 21 through our website at www.tuschha.org and at the Geib Funeral Homes of Dover and New Philadelphia, the First National Bank--Dennison location only, Pam's Posies at 732 Boulevard Street Dover, and the Zoar Store at 198 Main Street Zoar. Tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the doors. Tickets are limited! Please wear shoes that are comfortable (there is some walking) 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). We are recommending tourists wear masks in the sites.
Tickets ordered through PayPal will be picked up at the New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church at 201 West High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church- Site #1 201 West High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663 (If you are buying your tickets through PayPal this is where you will pick up your tickets on the day of the Tour on December 11, from 11:45- 2pm.)
Welcome to New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church. Our church began as a preaching station served by a Methodist Circuit Rider named James Watts who was assigned to this area in 1808. Our first building was located at 233 Front Street and was built around 1841. The congregation decided to build a new building around the turn of the century as members identified a need for modern conveniences of indoor plumbing, electricity and modern heating systems. The oldest part of this building dates back to 1914 with the addition of an education wing in 1959 and our Life Center in 2009. Our sanctuary boasts a pipe organ and beautiful stained-glass windows which catch the sun every Sunday morning. Restrooms & refreshments available in the Life Center.
Site- #2 This unique home was built in 1923 by Dr. Robert Barton and remained in the Barton family until 1969. Five families have called this house their home since that time. The home is an English Tudor style with an addition that was completed in the early 2000’s consisting of a family room, full bath and laundry room. The charming front living room provides an inviting atmosphere with its many windows and tile fireplace. The Schrock kitchen has a separate pantry, and the study/library has Schrock book cases. The private back yard is like a park in the middle of the city with sitting areas, brick patio, walkways and flower beds all around. We hope you enjoy the many Christmas decorations on the first floor and the winter wonderland outdoor patio area in the back.
Site #4 This house was built around 1817 and today is known as House No. 16- The Print Shop. This was one of the first log cabins built as a home in the village. The frame additions were added in 1818 and 1819. The fireplace in the living room is original and is the only one remaining in Zoar. This building served as a residence until 1855 when a printing press was purchased and installed for the reproduction of Joseph Bimeler’s discourses after his death in 1853. These discourses were read at meetings on Sunday for over 40 years. Hymnals were also printed here. In about 1867 the shop was converted back into a residence. You may tour the 1st and 2nd floors of the log cabin only (steep 2nd floor steps).
Site #5 Our late Victorian home was built in 1899, the first year after the dissolution of the Zoar communal society. The construction date was found on a wall in the attic. The basement has the original stone walls and may pre-date the house. We believe the house was built by former Zoarites as a private residence. The home was purchased in 2003 and the interior taken down to the studs. The remodeling was influenced by the Mission style which is reflected in the staircase, cabinetry and other details throughout the house. The exterior renovations included the wrap-around porch, screened-in back porch and garage. The barn stones around the front of the house were salvaged from other properties in Tuscarawas County. The desk in the living room is an original Zoar piece. We like the German Christmas decorations of smokers and nutcrackers and hope you enjoy them too!
Site #6 The Cottage at Maple Pond--Welcome to your family’s go-to place for vacation. The Cottage at Maple Pond is a vacation rental, resting on 19 wooded acres next to a private, stocked pond. This isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a place where time slows down. Designed as an “up-north” lake home, the cottage was built in 2020 by Paul Miller Construction of Sugarcreek. Architect Sara Stuckey Sayner designed the space to maximize the light entering the great room. Oversized windows and high, coffered ceilings give the entire home a fresh, welcome feel. Memories will be made sitting on the dock and catching fish, hiking the trails in the woods, or playing air hockey downstairs. The Cabin at Maple Pond--The one room cabin, which now is the main floor bedroom, was originally built by Thomas Knighton, and is positioned to give the best views of Maple Pond. The cabin was later expanded to include the rest of the home. Standing on the back deck of the Cabin, look to the left for a rope swing called “The Plunge.” You will visit both the holiday decorated Cottage & the Cabin at this one site.
Site #7* John C Zutavern was the original owner of the historic farm which was built around 1820 with an addition added between 1851-1855. This extraordinary home with the bell tower cupola, still working today, has been around over 200 years. Today the owners enjoy hearing their children ringing the bell. Walls are 18” thick and the ceilings measure 10 ½’ in the main portion of the house. The floors of the structure are made of trees grown on the farm all those years ago. Mr. Zutavern came to the area of Bolivar from Pittsburgh. He became a farmer of wheat crop that was shipped up the Ohio & Erie Canal to Cleveland. We hope you enjoy our historic home and our Christmas decorations which we are excited to share with you. *This is one of the original Plaqued Heritage Homes from 1976.
Site #8 Welcome to our home and Merry Christmas! We have been renovating this beautiful 1899 farmhouse for several years with the help of our friends at Hostetler Builders. Our main goal was to restore it by highlighting the original beauty, craftmanship, and timeless character along with updating with modern touches. A wrap around porch with natural stone floor was added to accent the unique cross shape of the farm house. Several rooms still have the original woodwork and hardware. The remainder of the first floor is outfitted with reclaimed barn wood flooring. The fireplace was refaced using barn stone sourced from an area barn foundation. Another favorite touch is a hand carved door salvaged from the property and refinished to accent the kitchen as a pantry door. Also on the premises is the original summer house and a bank barn which was built in 1905.
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 New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church. 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. 5. Keep the ticket booklet with you at all times and ready to present upon entry to each tour site. 6. Stick around and enjoy the wonderful restaurants in the area and visit our advertisers. 7. Remember that the J. E. Reeves Home is open for your touring pleasure from 1:00 pm to 6;00 pm.