8 houses on THT holiday tour Dec. 4

The 2022 Tiffin Historic Trust Holiday House Tour is planned 1-5 p.m. Dec. 4 and features the beauty of older historic homes, modern residences and commercial architecture. Eight buildings are included in the tour, ranging from a modest bungalow to grand single-family homes, an apartment building, an organization meeting place and repurposed historic homes – one a bed and breakfast and the other the Seneca County Museum – according to a Tiffin Historic Trust news release. Visitors can browse the main floor of the "lovingly restored" headquarters of the Tiffin Historic Trust and note the ornate interior wallpapers and numerous collectibles typical of Victorian interiors, and the slate-sided mansard roof representative of Second-Empire style architecture. Tour-goers can admire the architecture and the holiday decorations of the beautifully maintained buildings. Tickets include a map showing the locations of the sites, which are located in the historic downtown district, as well as in north and south side Tiffin neighborhoods. Several homeowners are offering holiday refreshments to their guests. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased in advance at Great Lakes Ace Hardware, 1550 W. Market St. On the Sunday of the tour, tickets will be available only at the Grammes-Brown House, 172 Jefferson St., starting at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Joan at 419-618-0698. Tour stops Grammes-Brown House, 172 Jefferson St. In 1988 Rosina Brown, granddaughter of confectioner Peter Grammes and the home's builder, donated the 1884 family residence to the Tiffin Historic Trust with the mandate that the trust maintain and preserve the historic and architectural significance of the building. The home serves as the lovingly restored headquarters of Tiffin's historic preservation organization. Tour the main floor and admire the ornate wallpapers, beautiful woodwork, and numerous collectibles typical of Victorian interiors, and when outside, notice the slate-sided mansard roof, representative of Second-Empire-style architecture. Tiffin Masonic Lodge, 181 S. Washington St. Tiffin's Masonic Lodge No. 77 was conceived at a meeting in August 1833. In early 1912 a committee was formed to study building a structure wholly owned and operated by the Masonic bodies of Tiffin. The group purchased property owned by George Loomis and the Smith Estate for $10,500 and construction of the present building was begun. The cornerstone was laid by the Grand Master of Ohio using a walnut gavel crafted from wood that formed part of the old Plank Road, which was discovered 10 feet below the street level of the current building. The Tiffin Masonic Lodge building was completed in 1915. Since it opened, the board of trustees of Tiffin Masonic Temple has worked tirelessly to maintain the exceptional facility. The group is proud to welcome the citizens of Tiffin to one of the most beautiful buildings in Tiffin. Kahler/Atkin Apartments, 269 S. Washington St., Apt. 3 A three-bedroom apartment in the two-story brick building will be open for viewing. Built in 1914 as a 10-unit apartment structure, it has been renovated into six units. The building is locally known as "Kahler Apartments" and is owned by Justin and Lydia Atkin, who purchased it in 2015. The building features a gated courtyard, original hardwood floors, woodwork, doors and bathtub. In 2021, the trust presented the Atkins with the Nevin E.B. Martin Award for their work on the apartment building. The apartment will be decorated for the holiday season with nine traditional and themed trees. Refreshments will be served. Seneca County Museum, 28 Clay St. The 1853 brick Italianate home was built by Tiffin's first millionaire, Rezin Shawhan, and his wife, Elvira. It remained in the family until 1941 when Lynn Troxel donated the building to the county for use as a museum. On Aug. 5, 1942, it was dedicated to serve as the Seneca County Museum. The building is part of the Fort Ball Railroad Historic District and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum has been refreshing its exhibit spaces and completed some building restoration work. The staff invites the public to experience an enchanting Christmas with period decor and festive music. Whitmer Homeplace, 236 Third Ave. On Jan. 3, 1906, A. McNeal bought the property for $3.93 to cover delinquent taxes. It was owned by several families until 1952 when George and Dorothy Whitmer acquired the bungalow-style home. Upon their deaths in the mid-1990s the home was purchased by their youngest son, Lonny Whitmer. In 2001, he sold it to the Whitmer's eldest grandson, Ronald Callahan, who now resides there. The original cinder block was wrapped in vinyl in 1994, and the back family room was added onto in 2002. Ron's Photography Studio (2003) is in a separate building to the rear of the property. Stroll through the home and experience its cozy cottage atmosphere listening to Christmas carols played on the 1910 Estey Artist's Reed Pump Organ, which was used for many years in St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Bascom. Queen Anne, 25 Adams St. The 2 1/2-story quintessential Queen Anne-style single-family residence was built in 1895 by John King. In the 1980s Lenore and Charles Livingston remodeled the house into a bed and breakfast, and after the business closed it became a rental property. In 2017, the property was purchased by Andrew Kalnow, who had been active in restoring a number of historic houses in the Fort Ball/Frost Parkway area. Renovation of 25 Adams began in 2020. Bathrooms and the kitchen were totally renovated, while the remaining period piece interior was carefully restored and decorated with contemporary boutique furniture. Notable elements of the Queen Anne style include cross-gabled roof, decorative shingles in the gables, decorative brickwork in chimneys, slate roofs with finial ornaments at the peak, bay windows, multi-paned leaded windows and a three-story round tower with a conical roof. Felter Home, 168 Rosa St. Nestled on the hill at the end of Rosa Street, the Leslie and Andy Felter home boasts classic charm and contemporary decor. Built in 2000 by local builder Tom Wise, the Felters are the second owners of the home, purchasing it in 2013. The main living level features an open floor plan. The kitchen was recently remodeled by Zeis Companies and features Mouser cabinetry and Silestone quartz countertops. The clean lines of the cabinetry complement the cozy outdoor setting overlooking the country-like outdoor seating area. The family holiday tree with traditional Christmas decor is highlighted in the family's sports-themed basement. Krupp Home, 319 W. Woodmere Drive The contemporary colonial-style house built in 2000 is the home of Pete and Dianna Krupp. Traditional Christmas decorations are used throughout the home. One notable feature is the Prairie-style family room with oak trim and art glass. The 9-foot tree has many ornaments, some over 100 years old.