Marietta Candlelight Tour of Homes
2017 Pictorial Review
White Swan Hotel
14 East Front Street
Residence of Bruce and Angela Gross
14 East Front Street
Residence of Bruce and Angela Gross
Tax records suggest that the original log section comprising the western part of this hotel was built in 1808, making the White Swan Hotel one of the oldest surviving structures in Marietta. The frame Federal section was added about 1812-1813 by innkeeper Samuel McKinney. It continued operating as a tavern/inn until 1930 under a number of proprietors. The earliest documented use of the name “White Swan Hotel” appears in an 1848 advertisement.
To maintain the “feel” of a tavern, the Grosses constructed a period “bar” which creates a perfect setting for entertaining. Many of the hotel rooms retain their original wood floors and the two-hundred year old stairway leads to a second-floor ballroom which now serves as a master bedroom. The newly renovated kitchen features an original walk-in fireplace. A stable at the rear of the home has been cleverly converted into a family room.
Traditional and period decorations adorn the home in the spirit of the holiday season.
To maintain the “feel” of a tavern, the Grosses constructed a period “bar” which creates a perfect setting for entertaining. Many of the hotel rooms retain their original wood floors and the two-hundred year old stairway leads to a second-floor ballroom which now serves as a master bedroom. The newly renovated kitchen features an original walk-in fireplace. A stable at the rear of the home has been cleverly converted into a family room.
Traditional and period decorations adorn the home in the spirit of the holiday season.
54 North Chestnut Street
Residence of Steve and Suzanne Sload
Residence of Steve and Suzanne Sload
This stately “four-over- four Pennsylvania Farmhouse“ was constructed circa 1857 by Samuel R. Hipple (1830-1925), a surname well known in early Marietta history. Samuel’s father Samuel built a similar house two doors south of this one. The original property extended north to Waterford Avenue.
This structure, with all of its original doors, floors, windows and two working fireplaces, is being restored to its original look. Steve, a general contractor specializing in restoration work, designed and built several pieces of the home’s furniture. Although the porch is not original, it has been designed in the style of the mid-19 th century.
The home is decorated in fresh greenery for the holiday season.
243 West Market Street
Residence of Ronn Short and John Enterline
Residence of Ronn Short and John Enterline
This home is making its premier as a “Candlelight Tour” home. Historical research indicates that the home was constructed in 1812 or 1813 by Jacob Nicholas, an early resident of the village of Waterford. Jacob is listed as an innkeeper in 1807 and later as a blacksmith, butcher and “lumber merchant.” He signed the 1811 petition to incorporate the Borough of Marietta and served as a private in Marietta’s Captain Jacob Grosh’s Company during the War of 1812. Over the years many others have owned the home, but it sat vacant for two years until December 2016 when it was purchased by the current owners. Following considerable damage after pipes froze and water infiltrated the entire first floor, Ronn and John installed a new kitchen, opened the six fireplaces, laid six and eight-inch yellow pine floors in the downstairs and installed raised paneling below the chair rail in the dining room. A screened-in porch was enclosed to create a “breakfast room” that overlooks a newly established formal
garden.
Ronn and John are members of “The Golden Glow of Christmas Past” so tour visitors will see a multitude of decorated trees, each with a different theme. Collections of German Music Boxes, Gurley Novelty Candles and Nativity scenes are displayed throughout the home. Of particular note is a Spang Melodian, purchased “new” in the 1830’s for building of a new ballroom, located on Front Street in Marietta. The gentlemen are only the second owners of the instrument, which will be played throughout the day.
garden.
Ronn and John are members of “The Golden Glow of Christmas Past” so tour visitors will see a multitude of decorated trees, each with a different theme. Collections of German Music Boxes, Gurley Novelty Candles and Nativity scenes are displayed throughout the home. Of particular note is a Spang Melodian, purchased “new” in the 1830’s for building of a new ballroom, located on Front Street in Marietta. The gentlemen are only the second owners of the instrument, which will be played throughout the day.
376 Essex Street
Residence of Deb Roeser
First known as the “Widow Musser’s House”, this home may have been built as early as 1820. The first authentic record of title is 1835 to Martha Stauffer Musser Miller (1802-1885). This is one of the oldest residences in what was once known as Irishtown, in East Donegal Township. Irishtown was annexed to
Marietta Borough in 1969.
Deb Roeser, a lifelong resident of Marietta, purchased this home in 1978. The two-story frame home retains its original hardwood floors and has a wood beam fireplace mantel from the Drager Dairy Farm. This home is being opened in memory of Deb’s parents, Harold and Ruth (Portner) Drager. A replica of a wooden grain bin (built in 2010), housing a wash machine and dryer, can be found in the kitchen. Family heirlooms are displayed throughout the home.
With a rustic, primitive style of holiday decorating, both indoors and outside, Christmas Trees and holiday greenery create an “at home for the holidays” feeling.
Marietta Borough in 1969.
Deb Roeser, a lifelong resident of Marietta, purchased this home in 1978. The two-story frame home retains its original hardwood floors and has a wood beam fireplace mantel from the Drager Dairy Farm. This home is being opened in memory of Deb’s parents, Harold and Ruth (Portner) Drager. A replica of a wooden grain bin (built in 2010), housing a wash machine and dryer, can be found in the kitchen. Family heirlooms are displayed throughout the home.
With a rustic, primitive style of holiday decorating, both indoors and outside, Christmas Trees and holiday greenery create an “at home for the holidays” feeling.
329 E. Market St.
Residence of Justin and Rebecca (Carroll) Baltozer
This Federal-style brick house was built circa 1810 by David Cooke Jr. (1750-1824), one of Marietta’s founders. Cooke laid out the village of New Haven which eventually became the mid-section of Marietta. This house and an 18 ½ acre tract of land was sold to John Myers (1790-1830) for $30,000. From 1818 to
1845 the house was owned by John Andrew Shultze (1774-1852), governor of Pennsylvania from 1823-1829. From then until 1877 it was occupied by tenants, but in 1877 it reverted once again to an owner-occupied residence. Rebecca (Carroll) an 8th generation Marietta native and her husband Justin, purchased the home in 2013. They fell in love with the open staircase and have restored the home which features five fireplaces; six-over- six windows with wooden lintels and roundels; paneled first and louvered second-floor shutters; an eight-panel entry door flanked by sidelights and topped with a fanlight transom, and an unusual stone belt course at the second-floor level. One of the rooms has been untouched and reflects the state of the home that existed when the Baltozers purchased it.
Look for freshly cut greenery with an old-fashioned twist decorating the home.
1845 the house was owned by John Andrew Shultze (1774-1852), governor of Pennsylvania from 1823-1829. From then until 1877 it was occupied by tenants, but in 1877 it reverted once again to an owner-occupied residence. Rebecca (Carroll) an 8th generation Marietta native and her husband Justin, purchased the home in 2013. They fell in love with the open staircase and have restored the home which features five fireplaces; six-over- six windows with wooden lintels and roundels; paneled first and louvered second-floor shutters; an eight-panel entry door flanked by sidelights and topped with a fanlight transom, and an unusual stone belt course at the second-floor level. One of the rooms has been untouched and reflects the state of the home that existed when the Baltozers purchased it.
Look for freshly cut greenery with an old-fashioned twist decorating the home.
458 East Market Street
Residence of Robert and Cindy Graham
This one-and- one-half story frame home was constructed at three different times. The original front section was constructed between 1805 and 1810. A mid-section was built years later and houses the kitchen, dining room and upstairs bedrooms. The final portion to be added was a summer kitchen with a loft. Viewing the floors, mostly original, gives a good clue to the various extensions. The Grahams, who recently purchased the home, will tell you that the house is a “work in progress,” with much restoration/renovation still to be completed.
Fresh greenery and fruits, Christmas trees and vintage Christmas decorations, fitting of the period of the construction, will beautify this home. Part of the first floor will contain everyday primitives and holiday décor which will be for sale from The Marietta Wax Company, a gift shop which Bob and Cindy have
operated for several years.
Fresh greenery and fruits, Christmas trees and vintage Christmas decorations, fitting of the period of the construction, will beautify this home. Part of the first floor will contain everyday primitives and holiday décor which will be for sale from The Marietta Wax Company, a gift shop which Bob and Cindy have
operated for several years.
253 West Market St
Residence of Pascale Herzog
This brick Victorian home was built in 1860 and features Gothic elements that include highly pitched gables and strong vertical lines. It had been unoccupied for some time when Pascale
bought the home in July, 2015. Most of the flooring is original as is the floor to ceiling cabinet in the kitchen. Pascale added a half bath to the first floor and the built-in book shelves in the
living room to accommodate her collection of antique books. Of interest in this home is Pascale’s period furniture (mostly French) passed down through her family, and the many
tapestries which were made by her mother. It took almost ten years to make the tapestry in the entryway, the original of which is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As you tour
this home, you will enjoy the many antique books, original paintings, sculptures and pottery as well as the beautiful staircase decorated with fresh greenery.
bought the home in July, 2015. Most of the flooring is original as is the floor to ceiling cabinet in the kitchen. Pascale added a half bath to the first floor and the built-in book shelves in the
living room to accommodate her collection of antique books. Of interest in this home is Pascale’s period furniture (mostly French) passed down through her family, and the many
tapestries which were made by her mother. It took almost ten years to make the tapestry in the entryway, the original of which is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As you tour
this home, you will enjoy the many antique books, original paintings, sculptures and pottery as well as the beautiful staircase decorated with fresh greenery.
1311 Drager Road Residence of Bob and Kathy Leaman
Built in 2007, and making its premier showing for the Candlelight Tour, the “Green Truck Farm” is an old/new farmhouse. Although the original1863 house could not be saved, many of the structural elements were salvaged and are incorporated into the new structure. Doors; wood flooring; the glass in the kitchen cupboard; cast brick creating the fireplace and shutters to frame the upstairs linen closet are repurposed from the old. The dining room and drop-leaf tables are crafted from attic floorboards. A mercantile display case, rescued from the former Billmeyer’s Jewelry Store in Marietta, displays an ongoing collection of serving pieces.
Christmas at Green Truck Farm is about family and friends with the style in decorating incorporating old family treasures blended with some new finds. Farm gathered fresh greenery and twigs, pine cones and berry bushes add to the holiday home’s attire. A crackling fire in the hearth room greeting you and a
display of eclectic Creches will hopefully warm your Holiday Spirit.
Christmas at Green Truck Farm is about family and friends with the style in decorating incorporating old family treasures blended with some new finds. Farm gathered fresh greenery and twigs, pine cones and berry bushes add to the holiday home’s attire. A crackling fire in the hearth room greeting you and a
display of eclectic Creches will hopefully warm your Holiday Spirit.
Tickets available at: http://mariettarestoration.org/
Event Info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/474205446294899
Stay tuned to for more previews.
Event Info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/474205446294899
Stay tuned to for more previews.