The Woman's Club of Warren, celebrating its One-Hundredth Anniversary, will host The Holly Home Tour on Sunday, December 9. Five fantastic, historic homes of Warren will be on the tour.
The event, which runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., will include the Champlin Home, 512 Market St, a 1904 Queen Anne style; the Walker Home, 108 East Street, a circa 1905 Colonial Revival; the Price-Walde Home, 315 Liberty Street, a 1907 English style brick; the Megill Home, 310 West Fifth Avenue, a 1925 Tudor Style; and the Conaway Home, 224 Conewango Avenue, a 1924 home with Georgian architecture. All homes will be dressed in their Christmas garb.
A Traditional Victorian Christmas Tea will be served at the Woman's Club, 310 Market Street, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The tea will feature delectable pastries and yummy savories served in the traditional English Tea style. Tickets for the tea are pre-sale only. The Woman's Club is housed in an Italianate style home built in 1872 by Myron Waters. It has been owned by the Woman's Club since 1922. Since that time, the Woman's Club has enlarged the clubhouse with addition of the ballroom and has faithfully maintained the home's splendor. The parlors, dining room and ballroom are alive with many social gatherings, performances and club meetings. Portraits of the home's donors, Mr. and Mrs. Myron Waters, painted by Warren artist William Abraham Greaves, hang in the parlor. An additional treat is having the home bedecked in its Christmas Finery.
Article Photos
Walker Home, 108 East St., a circa 1905 Colonial Revival
Tickets for the Holly Home Tour are pre-sale at a reduced rate, with a limited number available at the Woman's Club the day of the tour. Tickets for the home tour and tea may be purchased at Allegheny Floral, Ring-Around-A-Rosy, Ekeys, Virg-Ann Florist, KC Frameworks, and the Woman's Club of Warren.
The Champlin home was built around 1922 with substantial expansion and renovation in the 1930's. The added features, such as gables and a wrap-around front porch, classify the home as a Queen Anne style. The black slate roof which was installed at this time lasted for eight decades. In 2009, the roof was replaced with Peach Bottom hard black slate from eastern Pennsylvania. These tiles have a life expectancy of two centuries!! The Home boasts five fireplaces, with four converted to natural gas. Tour goers will appreciate the architectural features, such as the cherry woodwork, tile work, brick and stonework and leaded glass windows. The decorations you will see include items acquired by, or made by, five generations of the family.
Shawn and Suzanne Walker's home at 108 East Street originally was built in 1897 by William K. Jacobs. In 1906, W. F. Messner purchased the home and occupied it for 34 years. In 1940, the home was purchased by John L. "Jack" Blair, son of the founder of the New Process Company. About 1950, under the Blair's' ownership, the grand two- story front porch, which served as the focal point of the original construction, was removed. In the process, the roof line and dormers were changed and a single, one level porch with two-story pillars, was constructed to maintain the Colonial Revival Style and the grandeur of the front faade.
In 2010, Shawn and Suzanne Walker, purchased the property and extensively renovated the interior of the home. As you tour this home you will see the original tiger oak floors and maple staircase, all of which were uncovered and refinished. The servant's kitchen, laundry, and pantry were converted into one large, modern kitchen. The ballroom was converted into an 1,800 foot family room allowing for plenty of extra space for the family's four growing daughters.
The Walkers were very careful to maintain the historic features of this fantastic home. Some of the unique features of the home include: ornate cast plaster crown moldings, pocket doors, decorative fireplaces, coffered ceilings, and 1950's hand-painted wallpaper from the Gracie Company of New York City. In addition, the original crystal dining room chandelier, glass door knobs and the servant call system remain as a tribute to the home's rich past.
The Conaway home at 224 Conewango Avenue is an exquisite example of Georgian architecture. This home was built by Grace and Walter Beaty in 1924, and later purchased by Joan and John Carter in 1993. Lois and Chuck Conaway acquired the house in 1999. Chuck has revitalized the old gardens and added a butterfly garden. Inside, Lois and Chuck have redecorated extensively with their personal taste and travel acquisitions adding dramatically to the homes personality.
The dining room hosts many pieces of Chuck's pottery created in the basement studio, which contains the potting wheel and kiln for firing. The marble fireplace and hand-painted lamps compliment the rice paper wall coverings. Oriental rugs are found throughout the house. The kitchen is the heart of the home and boasts a complete renovation, providing a wonderful place to create meals. Lois and Chuck feel very privileged to enjoy this lovely home and endeavor to keep it in excellent shape for future generations.
The home at 315 Liberty Street was built in 1907 by David Siggins. Upon his death the house passed to Siggin's grandson, Quinn Smith and Smith's mother. Quinn Smith remained in residence until his death in 2006. Quinn will be remembered by Warren residents for his many contributions to the Warren Historical Society, Warren Players and the Struthers Library Theater.
In 2007 Brenda Koskinen purchased the home. Tour goers will delight in all of the cosmetic changes made to the home to bring it into the 21st century, while keeping the integrity of this house intact. Every piece of woodwork was restored. All the brass and metal trims have been polished to a wonderful sheen. The kitchen was reconfigured with updated cabinets and countertops. As you tour, you will see the unique choices of color and wall coverings. Furnishings are from Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Home Decorators. Robbin Price and Dave Walde are enjoying the home while Brenda Koskinen has relocated.
Megill's Tudor-style home at 310 West Fifth Ave. was built about 1923 by Harry Conarro, Sr. Mrs. Megill described the Tudor as "an add a gable add a room" approach to architecture. In 1999, they did just that with the new addition. Parts of the addition sit where the Mesmer house formerly was located.
The home has many interesting architectural and decorating features. The Alcove/Dining/Living/room was recently redecorated. The painting on the dining room wall is a reproduction of the "Annunciation" by Fra. Angelica. Seven gas fireplaces grace this home with one hosting the original marble mantel. The kitchen has hickory cabinetry and an island lighted by brass lamps with a cozy cushioned window seat. This area provides a great place to create meals and enjoy conversation of family and friends. The Great Room has an added feature of beams to continue the Tudor theme.
Come spend the afternoon touring these lovely places and enjoy a true English tea. Warren is blessed to have such an array of magnificent homes. The Holly Home Tour provides a look at these lovely homes.