Party...Like It's 1928!

The owners of four of Akron’s historic 1928 homes—plus one contemporary home—will open their doors on Sunday, December 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. for the seventh annual Sugar Plum Tour. And you’re invited!

By: Mimi Vanderhaven
Date: 11/19/2008
Adventurers on this year’s 2008 Sugar Plum Tour will travel back in time to Akron’s period of boom or bust, circa 1928—an era of extraordinary architectural and economic significance. The tour will include two such period homes on Merriman Road and two in Fairlawn Heights, with a contemporary1983 home thrown in for good measure.

Each home revives design elements from an earlier period, such as Tudor, Georgian and Arts and Crafts. Plus, each homeowner offers a handsomely different sense of decorating, unique art collections, and festive holiday décor.

Here is a brief preview of the five 2008 Sugar Plum Tour Homes open to tour-goers on Sunday, December 7 from 2 to 6 p.m.:

Home #1
A lovely Tudor Revival built circa 1928, the home borrows features from the past like stone detailing, leaded windows, stucco and timber, and crenellation. The owner, a former Boston antique dealer, showcases many collections and eclectic furnishings, each with a delightful story. While touring, enjoy collections including Swarovski Crystal, antique radios, and, of course, Christmas trees and holiday decorations.

Home #2
Originally built circa 1928 for Wilford and Clara Collins, president of the real estate company Collins–Alexander Co., this beautiful home has been in the family of the current owners since 1977. Throughout the home, Sugar Plum Tour guests will find work by local contemporary artists as well as a painting by Huey Lee-Smith, a famous African-American WPA artist who studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
The home also features a collection by studio photographer James Van Der Zee, who captured the spirit and energy of life in Harlem in the 1920s. Don’t miss the original Josephine Baker poster, and the Christmas tree adorned with family photos.

Home #3
This truly grand home, also circa 1928, was built for Merlin and Catherine Firestone Ake, he—the superintendent of Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. Plant 1—and she—Harvey Firestone Sr.’s niece. The Georgian Revival-Adamesque design is rich with details, starting with its fanlighted double doors flanked by Ionic columns, with a large Palladian window above.
Be sure to notice even the smallest detail in the reservoirs on the copper downspouts sporting the initial “A.” Guests will enjoy traditional holiday décor throughout.

Home #4
“Toad Hall,” as the current owners call it, was built circa 1928 for George and Callie Pfarr, owner of a hardware store. Like many homes of the period, it features designs from many styles, but is primarily Arts and Crafts. The design features a richness of materials—from the tiles underfoot to the massive plaster crown-molding overhead. The owner and her friends have decorated the home for the holidays with a woodsy, natural, wildlife bird theme.

Home #5
Built in 1983, this contemporary cedar and stone home will feature a pianist performing holiday music at the baby grand in the living room while guests enjoy exploring the home’s eight Christmas trees. The owner’s mother lovingly made the crèche and other holiday ceramics.

Step up into the dining room to see the beautifully set holiday table and the silver coffee and tea service, which was given by the owner’s father to his mother on Christmas Eve in the 1960s. Trees, trees everywhere from vintage aluminum to traditional will put guests in the holiday mood.

Because the annual Sugar Plum Tour draws sell-out crowds each year, Mimi encourages her readers to order tickets early. General admission tickets are $25 and include a five-home, self-guided tour. A limited number of patron tickets offering admission to a sixth exclusive home and after-party may still be available. Visit the website for details.Tickets can be purchased online at www.sugarplumtour.org or by calling 330-761-6426. Cash-only general admission tickets are available at Angel Falls Coffee Co., located at 792 West Market Street in Akron.

On Sunday, December 7, attendee sign-in and map pickup is from 1 to 3 p.m. at Angel Falls Coffee Company. The tour runs from 2 to 6 p.m.

Major sponsors of the 2008 Sugar Plum Tour include Bricco, Gerald K. Larson, Pilot Property Management, Angel Falls Coffee Company and other individual donors. All proceeds from the event will support the philanthropic efforts of the Gay Community Endowment Fund, a permanent philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation. The fund facilitates and perpetuates philanthropy by supporting programs and services that support and positively impact the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community specifically, as well as the entire greater Akron community. By promoting philanthropy within the GLBT and allied communities, the fund acts as a catalyst for the full participation of GLBT people in society.

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