Notable Northeast Ohio Homes
A house is a piece of history, both as a physical element of the city it exists in and as a container for the interesting lives lived within. Northeast Ohio has no shortage of fascinating history contained within the walls of its many unique houses. Check out this list of five historic NEO homes you can visit to step into the past.
A Christmas Story House – Widely regarded as one of the best Christmas movies of all times, A Christmas Story was partially filmed in Cleveland in 1983. The house and museum, located in the historic Tremont neighborhood, has been open to the public for tours since 2006 after a San Diego entrepreneur bought the house in 2004 and restored it for accuracy. The compound includes both the original house from the movie and the neighbor’s house, as well as an additional museum and gift shop across the street with real memorabilia from the film. With over 75,000 attendees annually, Tripadvisor has the A Christmas Story House ranked as the number four top attraction in Cleveland, one slot above Progressive Field (no shade to the Guardians). - If you live in Northeast Ohio, you may have seen on your local news channel that the house and museum hit the market last week, at the beginning of the 2022 holiday season. Don’t fret, however – the current owner intends to sell to a buyer who will keep the museum running for visitors. There is no price tag on the property, so if you’ve been dreaming of owning your own museum, now’s the time to make your highest bid!
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens – This seventy-acre estate was built in 1912 for F.A. Seiberling, the co-founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, one of the rubber companies that served as the backbone of Akron’s industry for many years during the 19th and 20th centuries. The architect alone was paid $150,000 to design the home, a sum only $50,000 less than the average home price in Northeast Ohio in 2022. The home and extensive gardens are available for tours six days a week during April until December. The estate also can be rented for private events and plays host to public events like the Ohio Shakespeare Festival every summer.
Dunham Tavern Museum and Gardens – At 198 years old in 2022, the once-home of Rufus and Jane Pratt is the oldest surviving house in Cleveland. The accompanying taproom and sleeping quarters for stagecoach drivers was built in 1842. The property on Euclid Avenue has been open as a museum and enjoyed by the public since 1941. According to their 2021 Master Plan, there will be significant extensions and restorations done to the surrounding gardens, enhancing the space for more uses. Admission is free, but tours are currently being held by appointment only, so make sure you schedule your next trip before you head over.
Hower House – An Akron landmark, this Victorian mansion was built in 1871 for John Henry Hower, another important figure in shaping the industrial landscape of Akron in the nineteenth century. The architecture used in much of the house was the same style being used in churches during the same era, including a circular center of the house. It even includes a large ballroom located on the third floor for large events. The house is currently managed by the University of Akron and tours are free to the public.
James A. Garfield National Historic Site – Located up in Mentor near the shores of Lake Erie is the once-home of twentieth president of the United States of America. The property is currently run by the National Parks Service and, in addition to the house, contains a number of additional structures on the property. One such structure is a small building where Garfield ran communications for his 1880 election campaign. During the summer months, the property is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily but has limited hours in the winter. If you’re interested in a guided tour, a minimum group of six people is required to make a reservation.
Samantha Marie Imperi 11/20/2022