ThisWeek CW 03/14/2013
The Canal Winchester Historical Society wants to revive the tradition of opening several historic homes to the public for a December tour.
Now all that’s needed are the homes.
Society member Sandra White said the last historic-home tour was held in the 1990s; her own home was a stop on the 1995 tour.
“The society used to have a summer tour and a Christmas tour. I don’t know exactly when they discontinued them in the 1990s,” White said.
“Because this is a revival of a tradition dating back some years, I’m just doing this one step at a time; unfortunately, most of the older people who worked on previous tours can’t help out any more.”
White has solicited 35 homes for the tour so far, but only one has been confirmed. She is looking for owners of historic houses, particularly in the Columbus Street historic district, to volunteer their homes for the tour.
“There are no requirements associated with having a good candidate home other than limiting to all the historic homes we have here in Canal Winchester, at least for this first year,” White said. “We’re hoping for eight to 10 houses this year, plus the Prentiss School and the Depot will also be on the tour.”
Only the first floors of participating homes will be open to the public. White said visitors must purchase tickets for the event, which is currently scheduled to take place from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7.
“I’m currently a committee of one, so I’m looking for volunteers to help out with planning and hosting of the event as well,” she said.
Anyone interested in opening their home or volunteering their time to help with the tour is encouraged to contact White at 614-837-9493.
Tickets for the event will be available later in the year for $7 in advance and $8 the day of the tour. All proceeds will go directly into the Canal Winchester Historical Society’s general fund for maintenance and upkeep of the society’s buildings and their contents, White said.
“We’re all really hoping all of the events sponsored by the historical society this year will spark an interest in more community residents to support us,” she said.
“Anyone can attend our meetings, held at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the O.P. Chaney Elevator meeting room.”
A schedule of meetings and events is available online at www.cwhistory.org.