The former estate of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling, his wife Gertrude and their children is a magnificent sight to behold any day of the year. They call it Stan Hywet and somehow it becomes even more amazing during the holidays when the estate is decorated both inside and out.
My fella and I were part of the sold out crowd that made the trek to Akron on Sunday to enjoy the spectacle. It’s only appropriate that Christmas is a big deal here because the family moved in the house in December 1915, eager to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.
We got there early to tour the house before the line got too long. This is the entrance to the library.
There is such beauty in every room.
And the details! I especially appreciated the dining room with lots of ferns, mosses and mushrooms incorporated with white lights.
So many lovely trees.
We hung around till dark to enjoy the outdoor lights in the frigid cold.
If you ever get a chance to visit this place, I hope you will go. This was my second visit and it was absolutely worth the time!
If you’re looking for some festive fun in Ohio this year and are near Akron, consider Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. This historic mansion is open for tours year round but is decorated to the hilt for a special Christmas event that runs through December.
I went for the first time last year and enjoyed it immensely.
The home was built by F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He and his wife Gertrude built the home which was completed in 1915. The Tudor revival manor house is 64,500 square feet and has 65 rooms. The estate has five historic buildings and ten restored historic gardens across seventy acres. It is massive and gorgeous.
I arrived well before dusk so I could tour the manor house before it got too busy. The self guided tour at that point was already well populated so I was glad I didn’t wait. In fact, there were places where it felt like guests were expected to just keep moving in an endless line rather than stop and study the surroundings. I would like to redo that house tour on a less busy day.
All the same, I enjoyed the experience with the gorgeous decorations and Christmas music to set the mood.
Outside, Christmas lights of all colors glowed bright against the dark December sky. There’s a conservatory to explore as well as a good gift shop and places to enjoy snacks. I had a cup of hot chocolate and a delicious cookie that night as I walked the property and stopped here and there to enjoy some of the more unusual displays. Santa visited with children and there were other holiday things to see and do that night.
This event does sell out so it’s important to get your tickets in advance. One more thing. It was impressive to see how ready Stan Hywet was for the crowd. Every employee and volunteer seemed extremely well trained, courteous, friendly and excited for every guest to have a good experience. In a world where customer service is lacking in some areas, it was delightful to experience such good service. I think it’s important to give credit to these folks for a job well done.
Want to go? Click here to visit their website. Also, visit Make the Journey Fun on Facebook for more pictures!
