BELPRE - An historic home located next to the only remaining prehistoric Indian mound in Belpre and an 1885-era horse-drawn sleigh are among the holiday treasures awaiting those taking the Dec. 2 General Federal of Women's Clubs Belpre Woman's Club Town and Country Home Tour.
The tour includes eight stops and will be conducted from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are a $5 donation and available from Belpre Woman's Club members and Neff's Country Loft, 2514 Washington Blvd. The tour route will be marked with signs and maps will be provided in the program book and at each stop.
The home of Melissa and Perry Duffy at 1811 Washington Blvd. was constructed in 1917. Belpre Historic Society historians believe it was built by Jesse Pride.
Article Photos
Photo by Pamela Brust
Nancy Sams, director of the Belpre Historical Society, and Charlotte Powell, curator of the Farmers Castle Museum and Education Center, are shown with the museum’s newest addition, an 1885-era horse drawn sleigh complete with Father Christmas and gifts. The museum will hold an open house with the Dec. 2 Belpre Woman’s Club Christmas home tour.
The center of the craftsman-style home was originally a farm house with the wing and garage added later. The home retains much of its original interior including the tiger oak woodworking, pocket doors and five fireplaces and is filled with antiques and collectibles.
It offers a view of the river and Blennerhassett Island. The residence sits next to the only remaining prehistoric Adena Indian mound left in Belpre.
According to local historians, the home was in the middle of what used to be prime farmland and produce markets. Visitors to the home during the tour will be treated to samples of Dove Chocolate.
The Farmers Castle and Education Center, 509 Ridge St., will host an open house with the tour. Visitors will be greeted with the latest addition, an 1885-era horse-drawn sleigh donated by Trevor and Jacquine Feight, formerly of Pennslvania now residing in Walker.
The Portland Cutter sleigh, which is in pristine condition, was passed down through the family and given to the couple for their wedding.
The sleigh was being stored in a wooden box kept outside, Charlotte Powell, museum curator, said. The owners wanted to make sure it was properly preserved, she said.
"It really is beautiful, it's such a treasure and we were so glad they decided to donate it to the museum," said Nancy Sams, president of the Belpre Historical Society.
The museum will sponsor its open house during the tour hours, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 2. Tours of the museum at other times are also available by appointment by calling 740-423-7382 or 740-423-7588.
Other home tour stops this year will be the Hilton and Judy Drake Home at 809 Westview Drive which features a downstairs man cave. This home was built in 1961-62, most recently purchased in 2005 and remodeled.
The home has its original oak flooring and will be decorated traditionally for the holidays including a tree decorated in white and a Victorian lighted village.
Other stops include the Jim Nelson/Lewgood home at 815 Ashberry Drive; the Jack and Jane Snider home, 1812 Rockland Ave., which features collections of porcelain Santas, a first Blessing Nativity and Belpre Village Square; Belpre Church of the Nazarene, 1301 Putnam Howe Drive, will have musical entertainment; Peoples Bank, 1902 Washington Blvd., will have Santa Claus, refreshments and tour participants can enter for prize drawings; and the Lark's Nest, 2005 Washington Blvd., also will have refreshments and features primitives.
All proceeds raised by the tour of homes goes to the nonprofit women's clubs' services and programs which include providing scholarships, sponsoring the concerts in the park series and many other community activities.
