Eight sites in Dover and New Philadelphia featured in 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes

The Times-Reporter
·4 min read

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY ‒ The 29th annual Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association, will be noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 10.

Eight stops will be in the 2023 tour, including one house that is 120 years old and another that is 147 years old.

The tour will include:

St. John's United Church of Christ, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover. The original Gothic style structure was built in 1880 and extensively renovated during the 1930s. A Christian education wing was added in 1967. The balcony pews are from the 1880 church. Many parts of the Holtcamp organ also date back to 1880. Stained glass windows have been restored to their original glory.

A Queen Anne-style house at 728 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, owned by Brian and Rachel Ice, will be featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes.
A Queen Anne-style house at 728 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, owned by Brian and Rachel Ice, will be featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes.

Brian and Rachel Ice, 728 N. Wooster Ave., Dover. This Queen Ann style house was constructed by David Swickheimer as a gift to his parents, Johannes and Anna Maria Swickheimer. He used the money from the sale of a Colorado silver mine to pay for construction. In the late 1950s Harry Hennis used a $9,000 GI loan to purchase this house and converted it into a nursing home for 24 residents. In 1961 he built a two-story addition which allowed for dining and office space and six more beds. The nursing home moved to a new location in 1977 and the building was remodeled into apartments. Today it is being slowly restored and used as a combination of furnished short-term rentals listed on Airbnb and Booking.com as well as some apartments rented to long-term tenants.

Troy and Renee West, 126 E. 12th St., Dover. This house is a classic brick Colonial Revival style home built in 1924. The Wests purchased it in 2015 from the fourth owners, Larry and Berit McMillan. The house features original crown molding in the foyer, the living room and the dining room. Panel solid doors with glass doorknobs, original glass chandeliers and a built-in corner cupboard in the dining room are found here as well.

Rodney and Lisa Sommers, 722 Lilac Lane, Dover. This two-story, custom-built Colonial Revival style home was built in 2008. Some of the main features are an open two-story foyer, open family room, dining room and kitchen with custom oak Mullet cabinetry along with a study, living room and laundry room on the first floor. The second floor has three bedrooms, a TV room and two bathrooms.

The home of Myron and Linda Shetler, located at 912 E. Front St., Dover, is featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes. It was built in 1903 by Jabez Reeves.
The home of Myron and Linda Shetler, located at 912 E. Front St., Dover, is featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes. It was built in 1903 by Jabez Reeves.

Myron and Linda Shetler, 912 E. Front St., Dover. This home was built by Jabez Reeves in 1903 and is now 120 years old. This is a plaqued Heritage Home. The Colonial Revival home has five bedrooms and four working fireplaces. The carpet and light in the front parlor are original to the house. The home boasts two large leaded glass windows and one stained glass window. There is also a ballroom on the third floor.

Colleen Boehm, 533 E. Shafer Ave., Dover. This is a remodeled 1950s house. A decorated fireplace is the focal point of the living room in this single-story ranch style dwelling. A collection of Santas of various sizes stand among the Christmas trees on display. Gingerbread people are the theme of the kitchen.

Hummell Valley Farm Stay, 733 Hummel Valley Road SW, New Philadelphia. The country farmhouse with modern amenities is located in the middle of a working beef farm. The three-bedroom house has views of the farm and valley from every window. Visitors can pet and feed friendly goats and donkeys.

The Magnolia Manor B&B and Tea Room, operated by Carlos and Marlena Allen at 467 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, is featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes. It was built in the Second Empire style in 1876 by John and Mary Curry.
The Magnolia Manor B&B and Tea Room, operated by Carlos and Marlena Allen at 467 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, is featured in the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes. It was built in the Second Empire style in 1876 by John and Mary Curry.

Magnolia Manor B&B and Tea Room, Carlos and Marlena Allen, 467 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia. This turn of the century Second Empire style home was built in 1876 by John and Mary Curry. The Allens purchased the home in 1998. In the 25 years that the Allens have owned the house, they have restored it from top to bottom. The newly redesigned kitchen was completed in June 2020 and the sunroom was finished in June. This is a plaqued Heritage Home.

Tickets for the tour are on sale through the Heritage Home Association's website at www.tuschha.org (until midnight Dec. 8), the Geib Funeral Home of Dover (until 5 p.m. Dec. 8), at the Geib Funeral Home of New Philadelphia and the First National Bank, Dennison location only (both until noon on Dec. 9), and Pam's Posies, 732 Boulevard Street, Dover (until 1 p.m. Dec. 9). Tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the doors. Tickets are limited.The J. E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum in Dover will also be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. The one-day admission fee is $3.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Eight sites in Dover and New Philadelphia featured in tour of homes