Secret crevices, more unveiled in Manor House tours

Volunteer guide Deanne Douglas, right, shows off one of the balconies during the Behind the Scenes of Stranleigh tour at the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve in Toledo, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014.

Secret crevices and quarters -- usually not seen by the public -- in the landmark Manor House at Wildwood Metropark were explored by visitors Saturday.

For the next three months, the park in Syvania Township is hosting several events for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at how servants lived when the house was used as a private home. The tours, called "Behind the Scenes at Stranleigh," are traditionally held in the first months of the year, said Toledo Metroparks naturalist Heather Norris.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view photos of the tour.

The tour uncovers the hidden nooks and crannies where servant ate, where maids lived, and places not seen on normal tours of the historic mansion, she said.

Saturday’s tour group also heard first-hand accounts of life in the home, originally built by business magnate Robert Stranahan and his wife, Page, in the 1930s.

“We have a lot of pictures from when the family lived here and when staff lived here. And we give first-person accounts of what is was like to live here,” she said.

The next Behind the Scenes at Stranleigh is scheduled 6 p.m. Sunday.

After that, the tours are at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6, 9 a.m. on Feb. 8, 6 p.m. on Feb. 9; and 6 p.m. on March 6, 9 a.m. on March 8, and 6 p.m. on March 9.

Registration is required. Visit metroparkstoledo.com. Cost is $9 per person.