Have you ever passed a historic home and thought: Wouldn’t it be nice to eat there?
Well, you’re in luck.
Owners of seven historic homes will open their dining rooms to the public for elegant meals on three consecutive Sundays this autumn.
Dining in Akron History, the signature fundraiser of Progress Through Preservation , will be held Sept. 22, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.
Guests will arrive at 5 p.m. for each event, which includes a meal, home tour and discussion of the property’s history. The cost is $125 per person. Seating is limited. Last year’s event sold out quickly, and one of this year’s homes already is booked.
Venues will be assigned according to personal preference and the earliest reservations. Guests should plan for indoor and outdoor dining, weather permitting.
Here are the homes on the tour:
The Henry House on Hampshire Road (Sept. 22)
Goodyear executive Milton W. Henry built the red brick Georgian in Fairlawn Heights in 1929. Palmer Match Co. owner Thomas Palmer and his wife, Ella, later resided there and named it “Stonehaven.” U.S. Rep. Francis Seiberling lived there in the 1940s. Guests will be served a fall harvest meal sourced from local farm markets.
The Knight House on South Portage Path (Sept. 22)
Beacon Journal Editor John S. Knight built this two-story, six-bedroom stucco home in 1921 for his wife, Katherine. They lived there with their sons John, Charles and Frank. When Katherine died in 1929, Knight vacated the house and never returned. In 2020, the Summit County Land Bank purchased the vacant property and restored it. Dinner guests will be treated to a Great Gatsby-style dinner. Flapper attire is encouraged.
The Ink House on Delaware Avenue (Sept. 29)
Pharmacist Charles Ink had this home built in 1928. Following a fire in the 1950s, the owners changed the exterior from French Tudor Revival to Colonial. A burst pipe caused extensive damage in 2014. The current owners spent five years making repairs and returning the outside to its original design. Dinner guests will be served a catered menu.
The Fox Corner House on Dorchester Road (Sept. 29)
Architect Roy Firestone designed this 1925 house for Diamond Rubber CEO William Johnson and his wife, Mae Johnson. It is a mix of Italian Renaissance, Georgian Revival and Neoclassical. Johnson, a land speculator, helped develop Kenmore. The current owners, who share the home with four bulldogs, have done period-sensitive remodeling. Dinner guests will have a 1920s-style dinner with pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. The Light House on Merriman Road, a third home on the Sept. 29 tour, is sold out.
The Anchorage on Merriman Road (Oct. 6)
Goodyear executive Paul W. Litchfield and his wife, Florence, built the 14-room Tudor Revival mansion in 1925. The 10,600-square-foot residence sits on a 3-acre property. The current owners are committing to maintaining the elegance and whimsy of the property. Akron chef David Tigelman will cater a dinner for the event.
The Hale Hibbard House on South Maple Street (Oct. 6)
Known as the Orchard House, this 1865 historic home was built for one of the Hale Farm & Village daughters. It includes original oak woodwork, pocket doors, fireplaces, high ceilings and a grand staircase. The current owners have spent five years restoring the home to its original glory. Dinner guests will have a Victorian-themed meal.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact Janet Little at 954-605-1197 or events@ptpakron.org. Once a reservation is confirmed, guests can choose a check/cash or online payment option. Instructions will be provided.
The cost is tax deductible.
Reservations not paid within one week after confirmation will be canceled. If guests later learn they are unable to attend, they can transfer the reservations, but their payment will not be refunded.
Progress Through Preservation promotes and encourages the preservation, maintenance, restoration and adaptive reuse of buildings of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County.
Visit http://www.preservationakron.org/ to learn more about the group.
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hungry for history: Progress Through Preservation’s home tour includes dinner
Local News
