The Summit County Historical Society opens its doors to host holiday tours featuring Victorian era decorations and vintage clothing from the permanent collection Wednesdays through Saturdays from November 30 until December 21. Guests will be taken back in time as they enter the home of Akron’s founding family which sits atop “Mutton Hill.”

Volunteer Beth Hauser worked with Society staff to tastefully coordinate decorations as if the Perkins family was still residing in the historic structure, referred to as one of Ohio’s best examples of Greek revival architecture.  Seventeen volunteers completed the task of draping greenery and lights on three flights of the cantilever staircase and trimming a tree in each room.

Colonel Simon Perkins, the son of Akron’s co-founder, his wife Grace Ingersoll Tod, their eleven children and ancestors resided in and later used the home for summer retreats from the time of its construction in 1837 until 1945.  With assistance from the residents in Akron and Summit County, the Society purchased ten acres and the house from the family in 1945 for its headquarters.