SEBRING, Ohio – Three historic homes in Sebring will be open during a holiday home tour Dec. 8 from 1-7 p.m.
The tour, sponsored by the Sebring Historical Society, features the homes of Michael and Esther Lepsesty, 556 W. Ohio Ave.; Hal and Pat Kelley, 505 W. Ohio Ave.; and Edward and Janet Slusser, 456 W. Ohio Ave.
Tudor cottage. The Lepsestys’ Tudor cottage-style brick home was built in 1927 by one of Sebring’s pottery pioneers, Bart Green and his wife, Sarah. Its front porch has a unique double staircase opening to wrought iron gates, a covered arch foyer entry and beveled glass door.
Many of the rooms are decorated with antique pottery and furniture. High ceilings are finished with crown molding and doorways are rounded in mahogany trim. A unique breakfast nook has built-in corner and whatnot cabinets.
Craftsman bungalow. The Hal and Pat Kelley home was built around 1915 by George E. and Elsie (Sebring) Clark. Clark was a salesman for a pottery in Sebring and one of the home’s highlights is a wainscot shelf that surrounds the formal dining room, which was used to show pottery pieces when he brought clients home for dinner.
The home is also featured in a picture post card showing the laying of the bricks on what is now Ohio Avenue.
Hal Kelley’s parents lived in the home from 1955 to 1983 and the current residents were married in front o the living room’s stone fireplace in 1963.
Country home. The Slusser home was built in 1911, the former home of Williard and Helen (Sebring) Gahris. Designed by William Randolph, the brick and stucco English country home is a classic example of homes built by second-generation industrial families in the early 1900s.
Gretchen Gahris Keller lived in the house built by her parents from the late 1930s until 1966. She and her husband, Harrison, added a library, a bedroom and bathroom, as well as other rooms and a two-story carriage style garage.
The Slussers, who bought the home several years ago, added a new kitchen, and a guest bathroom in the former maid’s quarters, brining the number of bathrooms in the home to six.
Related events. The historic home that houses Dean’s Funeral Home, 256 West Ohio Ave., will be open for tours. The Sebring Post Office’s new addition will also be open for community residents to tour.
In addition to the home tour, several events will be held in Sebring Dec. 8.
Carriage rides through the village will be offered by Carriage Limousine. Rides are $2 for children under 12; $4 for adults. Blankets will be provided.
A school art show and craft show will be held at Sebring Villa Senior Apartments, 225 W. Maryland; a craft show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 930 N. 12th St.; and a craft show will be held at C.L. Sebring Manor Senior Apartments.
Many shops in the village will be open with holiday specials.
Tickets. Tour tickets are $5 in advance and $6 if purchased the day of the home tour. Advance tickets are available at Leonard’s Hardware, Ashton’s 5 & Dime, C and C’s Beauty Shack, Sebring Dental and at the mayor’s office. On tour day, tickets will be sold at Sebring Manor.
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