5 historic Old West End homes are decorated in holiday finery

The Williams-Petitjean Home, 2532 Glenwood Ave., is the fi rst Tours de Noel home to feature decorations for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

The Libbey-Perkins Home, 2008 Scottwood Ave., is among the featured residences Sunday in the annual Tours de Noel in the Old West End.

The idea of going back to a simpler era may be especially appealing at this frantic time of year.

So, how about it?

You'll have your chance this weekend. But it's one of those holiday-season hot deals - Hurry! Limited-time offer!

From 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, five historic homes in the Old West End will be decorated for the holidays and open to the public as the star attractions of the 18th annual Tours de Noel. They are:

•Williams-Petitjean Home, 2532 Glenwood Ave. The Arts and Crafts house built in 1914 has a beveled and leaded-glass entrance, a stairwell window seat under three stained glass windows, and original woods throughout the interior, including quarter-sawn oak, straight-sawn oak, and mahogany. The house will make modern history as it becomes the first Tours de Noel home to feature decorations for the Jewish festival Hanukkah.

•H.J. Heywood-Schmitt/Haynes Home, 2528 Glenwood. Built in 1915, the three-story, 12-room Georgian Revival-style structure has a gray stucco exterior with red shutters and huge cypress pillars on the main portico. Inside, its original features include silver wall sconces, brass fixtures, five pairs of 10-pane French doors, and quarter-sawn oak wainscoting in the dining room. The home includes a butler's pantry, maid's quarters, and a carriage house.

•Fisher-Murdock Home, 2333 Glenwood. Built in 1887, this house is described as combining "the asymmetry of the Queen Anne style with the Victorian love of nooks and recesses. The resulting gables and dormers create an intriguing irregular roof line." Among its original features are chandeliers and light fixtures marked "Toledo."

•Geleerd-Wishart/Clymer Home, 2232 Scottwood Ave. The stucco-faced duplex was built in 1910-11 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms in each of the units. Original details have been preserved, including beamed ceilings in the living and dining rooms, a sitting room set off by classic columns, a terrazzo-tiled screened-in porch, a fireplace flanked by leaded-glass bookshelves, and a window seat in the dining room.

The Williams-Petitjean Home, 2532 Glenwood Ave., is the fi rst Tours de Noel home to feature decorations for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

•Libbey-Perkins Home, 2008 Scottwood. This National Historic Landmark home is a Colonial Revival/Shingle style designed by famed Toledo architect David L. Stine for glass industrialist Edward Drummond Libbey and his wife, Florence Scott Libbey. Built in 1895, it features hand-carved woodwork, wide window seats, leaded glass windows, and many fireplaces.

Also on the tour - but open at no cost, unlike the five private homes - are the Mansion View Inn, 2035 Collingwood Blvd.; Park Lane Luxury Apartments, 142 23rd St. at Jefferson Avenue; and SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation, 2051 Collingwood.

Other highlights of Tours de Noel will be a gift boutique and cafe in the Park Lane. The cafe will open at noon Sunday and will serve light lunches of sandwich, soup, beverage, and dessert.

Tours de Noel is a fund-raiser sponsored by Women of the Old West End, which uses the income for a variety of projects. Toni Moore, co-chairman of this year's event and an Old West End resident for almost 35 years, said the group has supported home restoration, improvements at Old West End Commons Park, preservation efforts, and nonprofit organizations in the neighborhood. "This year we're looking to begin a scholarship fund with some of the proceeds," Mrs. Moore added.

Adult tickets for the home tours are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the event. Children 13 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Single homes may be toured for $3 each.

Tickets will be available Sunday at any tour stop, or in advance at Curb's Candle in Cricket West; Honey I'm Home, 4210 Sylvania Ave.; Downtown Latte, 44 South St. Clair St.; David Swesey Florist, 433 West Dussel Dr., Maumee; and Bombay Co., Levis Commons, Perrysburg.

A tour shuttle will be available to ticket holders.

The neighborhood will kick off the holiday season Saturday with a tree and gazebo lighting, refreshments, and caroling starting at 4:30 p.m. at Old West End Commons Park, Robinwood Avenue and Bancroft Street.

Five historic homes in the Old West End will be decorated for the holidays and open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday during Tours de Noel. Other highlights will include a gift boutique and cafe in the Park Lane Luxury Apartments. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the event for adults and free for children 13 and under with an adult. Single homes may be toured for $3 each. Information: 419-244-4921 or www.toursdenoel.com.

Contact Ann Weber at: aweber@theblade.com

or 419-724-6126.