Smethport Garden Club Historic District Home Tour Slated for October 6

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller

Mark your calendar for the 13th biennial Smethport Garden & Craft Club Tour of Homes to be held on Saturday, October 6, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm.

Enjoy a leisurely fall afternoon with family and friends visiting the interiors of six local Victorian mansions. The home owners will act as tour guides, opening all floors to guests, while explaining the history, architecture, decorative details, and local lore about the original occupants.

The mansions open for this year’s Tour of Homes include:

  • Charles Sartwell Mansion (1848) – 708 W. Main Street
  • Judge Joseph Bouton Mansion (1905) – 707 W. Main Street
  • Henry Hamlin Mansion (1860) – 808 W. Main Street
  • McCandless Mansion (1891) – 905 W. Main Street
  • Delano R. Hamlin Mansion (1881) – 820 W. Main Street
  • Historic Home (1900) – 216 E. Main Street

“During past tours, visitors really enjoyed the personal interaction with the home owners,” recalls Linda Muller, co-owner of the Judge Joseph Bouton mansion. “This made for some interesting conversations. We were very impressed with their genuine interest.”

Phil Smith, co-owner of the Charles Sartwell Mansion, said he enjoys greeting guests and explaining the history of the home. “The interest level in these Victorian era homes is very high and people are very appreciative that the owners are willing to open them to the public.”

Linda Devlin, Executive Director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, noted that the interest in Smethport’s Victorian past is part of a growing national trend. “There is increasing interest for everything Victorian,” Devlin said. “Data compiled last year by Google Trends revealed that the Victorian style was the most searched design trend across the U.S. This represents quite a dramatic change in the country’s taste, and Smethport is benefiting from that change.”

Refreshments will be served at the Christian and Missionary Church at 201 Pine Street in Smethport.

Tickets are $12 and may be purchased starting at 11 am on tour day at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 602 W. Main Street. Tickets may also be purchased online from the Garden Club’s Facebook page.

For additional information about the Tour of Homes, email SmethportGardenClub@gmail.com or contact Holly McCrary at 814-598-7403 or Mary Wright at 814-596-2969.

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The Smethport Garden & Craft Club was founded in 1978. Now in its 40th year, the club continues its core mission of promoting gardening, providing educational services, and beautifying the community.