Tickets go on sale Monday for annual Christmas Tour of Homes

Bell Tower Farm once again will be a featured stop on the Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association's Christmas Tour of Homes.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 21 for the 28th annual event, which will run noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 11.

Bell Tower Farm was awarded one of the 23 original Heritage Home plaques in 1976 for the country’s bicentennial.

Sites for this year’s tour are in New Philadelphia, Dover, Bolivar and Zoar. In addition, the Reeves Victorian Museum in Dover will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. for a discounted price of $3.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tuschha.org and at Geib Funeral Homes of Dover and New Philadelphia; First National Bank's Dennison location; Pam’s Posies at 732 Boulevard in Dover; and Zoar Store at 198 Main St. in Zoar. Tickets are $15 presale, and $20 at the doors. Tickets are limited.

Organizers suggest tour participants wear shoes that are comfortable, because of some walking, and that can be easily removed, unless you choose to wear shoe covers in the homes. Some participants bring slippers to wear. The organization is recommending visitors wear masks in the sites.

Locations on the tour include:

New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church, 201 W. High Ave. in New Philadelphia. The oldest part of this building dates back to 1914 with the addition of an education wing in 1959 and the Life Center in 2009. The sanctuary boasts a pipe organ and stained-glass windows that catch the sun every Sunday morning. Restrooms and refreshments are available in the Life Center.

The Keck Home, 532 Fair Ave. NW in New Philadelphia. Home was built in 1923 by Dr. Robert Barton and stayed in the Barton family until 1969. Five families have called it home since that time. The home is an English Tudor with an addition that was completed in the early 2000s consisting of a family room, full bath and laundry room.

Melanie and Doug Sopher Home, 391 Hillcrest Drive NE in New Philadelphia. This red brick ranch was built in 1985 by Hough Construction. The open yard is surrounded by woods and deer that give the feel of “a little country in the city.” The kitchen sports Schrock cherry cabinets and cherry flooring. A unique feature is the two-sided fireplace, which is shared between the kitchen and family room.

Tom and Kim Klingaman Home, 254 E. Fourth Street in Zoar. Built around 1817, it 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.

Jeff and Susan Eadie Home, 171 E. Second St. in Zoar. This 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.

Your Family’s Place, Rose and Brian Tipka, 8624 Sandstone Road NE in Dover. The Cottage at Maple Pond is a vacation rental, resting on 19 wooded acres next to a private, stocked pond. Designed as an “up-north” lake home, the cottage was built in 2020 by Paul Miller Construction of Sugarcreek. The Cabin at Maple Pond, a 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. People on the tour will visit both the holiday decorated cottage and the cabin at this one site.

Kyle and Chinelle Albaugh Home, Bell Tower Farm, 9684 Fort Laurens Road NW in Bolivar. John C. Zutavern was the original owner of the Bell Tower Farm, which was built around 1820 with an addition added between 1851-1855. This home with the bell tower cupola, still working today, has been around more than 200 years. Walls are 18 inches thick and the ceilings measure 10½ feet in the main portion of the house. The floors of the structure are made of trees grown on the farm years ago.

Nate and Julie Levengood Home, 1012 State Route 212 NW in Bolivar. The owners have been renovating this 1899 farmhouse for several years with the help of Hostetler Builders. Several rooms still have the original woodwork and hardware. Also on the premises is the original summer house and a bank barn which was built in 1905.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tickets go on sale Monday for annual Christmas Tour of Homes.