House Tours
House Tour - 10/17/10
The Terrace Park Historical Society will host its second house tour Sunday, Oct. 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. featuring six homes dating back to the early 1800s.
Tickets for "The White House Tour" are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event. To purchase tickets call TPHS at 513-248-1777 or visit its website at www.tphistoricalsociety.org. Tickets will be delivered prior to the tour or made available for pick-up tour day at the Gazebo on the Green, corner of Elm and Amherst Avenue, where same-day tickets will be on sale.
The historical society's first house tour in 2008 was a sellout that attracted visitors from as far north as Dayton, south as Louisville, and throughout Greater Cincinnati.
"We encourage everyone to buy their tickets in advance rather than risk being disappointed," said Barbara Jane England, who shares tour organization responsibilities with co-chair Mary Arkeilpane.
Thanks to tour sponsors - Camargo Landscaping; Cause Agency; Mary Harrier Arkeilpane of Coldwell Banker West Shell; Fletcher Homes; Jane Yancey, Architect; and Springwater Sweets & Flowers - ticket sales will fully support the historical society's latest initiative, TP Creatives. Space for the new gallery that features the work of authors and artists who have lived in or currently reside in Terrace Park has been made available in St. Thomas Church, 100 Miami Ave., where TPHS offices are also located. The space will be renovated and display cases will be installed with proceeds.
While touring, guests will be offered refreshments at one home, the opportunity to purchase artwork by local artisans at four other homes and the historical society's village-themed keepsakes at the sixth home. Participating artists include: Lynn Behnke, hand-stamped jewelry; Amy Evans, original watercolors; Elaine Fening, distinctive clipboards; and Erin Rosson, hand-painted pottery.
TPHS is also offering The Terrace Park Worker Bees! A Neighbor-to-Neighbor Referral Directory that lists recommendations by local residents for services ranging from home repairs to physicians. It will debut at the tour.
THE HOMES AND THEIR OWNERS
* Sally and David Coffman - 907 Elm Avenue. The four families that have occupied The Leaf House since its erection in 1890 have given it numerous additions, the most recent in 1984. Its stately location at the bend in Elm Avenue makes it a highly visible and memorable home for those who visit Terrace Park. The original garage remains in the back of the property.
* Barbara Jane and John England - 115 Red Bird Lane. This American Farm House, circa 1830, was originally part of a 425-acre parcel in Indian Hill. Early entrance to the homestead was gained from Given Road by crossing a creek. Access was simplified in the 1950s when Red Bird Lane was constructed. Over the centuries, the modest home that is said to have once housed 15 children has been transformed into an elegant dwelling. Of special interest is a chandelier made of family heirloom Blue Willow china.
* Lanie and Joe Grever - 609 Miami Avenue. This circa 1910 home has the unique distinction of having served as both the summer house for a noted Cincinnati industrialist and later as the summer clubhouse for the Cincinnati Business Woman's Club. Although it has been extensively renovated, the present owners have taken great care to reinstate its original riverside cottage character. The garage, one used as a kindergarten classroom, will also be open to the public.
* Lorrie and Scott Hill, 305 New Street. The original cottage style home was built in 1978 by a local architect to replicate a Michigan vacation home. Ten years later the home changed hands and was completely renovated with an eye for detail and a desire for quality to reflect a different style of living that blends old world charm and modern conveniences. Of special interest are the powder room's hand-painted vanity and stained glass window.
* Abby and Pax Lindell, 1005 Elm Avenue. The Senator John Smith house was built in 1800 and has as rich a history as any home in the Cincinnati area. Although the original house was a log structure that has long since been covered with another exterior, the interior still bears the low ceilings, wide planked floor boards and hand-blown glass panes of another era. This property was once home to one of the earliest settlers of Columbia Township, yet boasts of being occupied by only five families in its long history. Guests may also tour the stables and grounds.
* Tracy and Todd Motto, 716 Floral Avenue. Nicknamed by an early owner as The Great House, it was built in 1892 as a railroad house but restyled with Greek Revival features in 1923. The Greene Family, who owned the Delta Queen riverboat, once resided here. Its current owners have restored it to a home fitting of its ages-old nickname. This house has been painted white inside and out for a striking decorative finish.
House Tour - 9/21/08
Our Inagural House Tour was an overwhelming success as every ticket was sold and fun was had by all!
