Akron is privileged to have a beautiful historical landmark in the heart of the citiy. The Hower House is a Victorian style home that was built in 1871 by Akron Industrialist John Hower with the assistance of John Henry. The house is built in the Second Italianate style and covers over two acres of land beside the University of Akron. The mansion is three floors and has a ballroom on the top floor. The Hower family occupied the home for 100 years spanning three generations. The Hower family donated the Hower House to The University of Akron in 1971.
Hower was a leading industrialist in the cereal industry. The Hower Oats Company was a fixture in Akron until it was sold to the Quaker Oats Company. The house is known as a lasting symbol of an era of elegance in America.
The public is welcome to visit and tour the elegant mansion. The tours are $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and over, $2 for children and students and children under 6 are free with a paying adult. The tours also include complimentary coffee and tea.
The Hower House is funded by private donations, Friends of Hower House, Hower House Victorians and The University of Akron. The efforts of the volunteer groups keep the Hower House in beautiful condition and well managed.
The Hower House is planning many exciting events in the upcoming weeks and months. A Valentine Tea will be hosted on Sunday, Feb. 8. Attendees will be served tea and scones and given a tour of the mansion. A new February exhibit “Love is in the Air” will be on display during the tea. The deadline for the February Tea is Feb. 4. The Sunday tea will be the first in a feature of the 2009 Sunday Tea programs.
A Victorian Fair will be held March 27 and 28. The fair will feature items made with craftsmanship that was used during the Victorian Era. There will be many vendors offering floral arrangements, jellies, woodworking, vintage clothing and many more items.
The Hower House is also featuring a special treat for those that tour the mansion on Saturdays. Sweet Saturdays will be featuring complimentary tea and gingerbread with lemon sauce with the price of the tour. The sweets are served in the elegant dining room.
The mansion hosts a vast collection of items from the Hower family. It is an open collection that the family is still donating to. The volunteers rotate the 3500 items so that the Hower House always has a variety of items to view.
The mansion is open for rentals for tea parties and small venues. The dining room can host 60-90 guests depending on the type of venue. A gift shop is open to the public that features many unique items. The Cellar Door Shop is open during all tour times and can be opened for special events and venues.
If looking for a unique experience of local history and lovely surrounding visit the Hower House on Wednesdays through Saturday from 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Sundays 1p.m.-4 p.m. For more information about the Hower House visit www.uakron.edu/howerhse or call 330-972-6909. The Hower House is located at 60 Fir Hill in Akron.
