Garrettsville – While most people have put their Christmas decorations away, disposed of their Christmas trees, and pretty much haven’t thought of Christmas since New Year’s day, such is simply not the case with the James A. Garfield Historical Society. This year marks a very monumental date, they celebrate their 20th Christmas Walk in 2022!
In 1982, the James A. Garfield Historical Society decided to spark up the “old” Christmas walk idea, and the flame has been burning ever since. You see, the Historical Society was not the first in Garrettsville to have a Christmas Walk. That was the idea of Mrs. Martin, in the summer of 1959. A member of the Ladies Association from the United Church in Garrettsville, Mrs. Martin got the idea from visiting another tour in Oregon city.
At that time it wasn’t acceptable to start the Christmas season before Thanksgiving, so the first walk was in early December. Five homes were offered and opened. The Earl Cantell house, next to the old Baptist Cemetery, was one home chosen for the Walk. Mrs. Mary Payne decorated it as a doll house. The home of Mrs. Hazel Thwing and the Forest Irwin home on Center Street were included and Marfelt Manor, Mrs. Martin‘s home named for herself and her sister, Edna Felt. Their home would be in five of the seven early Garrettsville walks. Mrs. Grace Pelsue’s house was also on the walk that year, stationed as the Tea house, where a light lunch and spiced tea were served.
That first Christmas walk drew in 193 visitors, each paying only $1. per ticket, but with homemade items sold, raised $500 for the United Church.
The walk became a very popular event in the area, starting out with yearly walks, then moving to bi- annual, and then even further apart, until finally the last one occurred in 1973, making the church a profit of $5,800.
The James A. Garfield Historical Society picked up the idea in 1982.
The first four houses showcased were owned by Bob and Bidi Lovejoy, Raymond and Angie Podojil, Dale and Terri Hart and Ray and Ruth Sheehan.
Many of our esteemed citizens would continue on with the tradition and open their homes to the public. Sandy Layer would host three times! Jim and Barb Bejger hosted twice but in two different homes, 30 years apart. Sandy and Glen Pelphrey hosted twice in the same home, 28 years apart.
And one home, 7901 State St., would host three separate times, with three separate owners; the first time in 1986, owned by Don and Luann Paul, again in 1994, owned by Rusty and Ginny Trimmer and most recently in 2018 while being owned by Joe and Denise Romecki. Another home, the Dunnbrook Farm would also host two separate owners, Cynthia Morris in 1984 with “Christmas at Dunnbrook Farm”, then Ryan and Shani Kissell would showcase the home again in 2018, with “Comfort and Joy at Dunnbrook Farm”.
This weekend and next, the James A. Garfield Historical Society proudly looks forward to celebrating their 20th Christmas Walk. Tickets available at the J.A. Garfield Historical Society ~ walks are held Friday and Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays 12:30 – 5.
