Garland is hung in Wildwood Preserve Metropark, just in time for the 46th annual Holidays at the Manor House.

This year brings about a new tradition, in a continuation of the virtual tours that began last year under the coronavirus pandemic. But the historic Manor House, which was once the more than 30,000-square-foot home of Robert and Page Stranahan of Champion Sparkplugs, is also opening its doors again for visitors to check out each elaborately decorated room.

Holidays at the Manor House opens Saturday and continues through Dec. 12. 

Longtime volunteer Judith Eagan described the nine-day event as a “magical” experience.

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Manor House to open for holiday tours

“Magical, absolutely magical. In a way like Disneyland at the Manor House. Every year the rooms are totally different. There’s never a repeated theme. The house itself is very elegant, and the interior restoration committee has redone so much of the mansion in the last ten years. We’ve brought it back as a very welcoming place for the people to come to,” Mrs. Eagan said.

Shannon Hughes, Metroparks Toledo’s director of education and programming, said this year’s theme is whimsical, with the hopes to brighten the community’s spirits. Each room is decorated by volunteers.

“Last year was a tough one, so this year we’re being a little more fun. We have a room dedicated to Mary Poppins, one dedicated to Friends. We have a ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ room. It’s fun and different; we have a Hawaiian Christmas theme this year,” she said. “Each room was able to create its own theme, and we have 32 decorated spaces.”

Ms. Hughes said it was difficult to close the home’s doors last year due to the pandemic. Yet, the Christmas spirit prevailed.

Rather than canceling the traditional event altogether, the staff opted to offer two virtual tours — one 360-degree tour and one slow-recorded tour — for viewers to enjoy.

“It was new and so popular that we decided to bring it back. It’s really a great option, especially for folks who are not in town during the seven-day period. It was positively received last year; we had 100,000 views, which is exciting. We normally get about 40,000 people in person so that was quite an uptick for us,” Ms. Hughes said.

The virtual tours will again be available on Facebook for viewers’ convenience.

“People are free to view them at their leisure,” Ms. Hughes said.

As for the in-person tours, the Metroparks are requiring reservations this year to ensure compliance with social distancing. Tours are cut off at 30 people and run every 15 minutes between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m

“We hope that people understand that this is new for us as well to have a ticketed event. In the past, people were able to come into the event, and we’d see quite a few people come in by the hour,” Ms. Hughes said.

“We’re just asking folks to be patient with us and understand that we’re doing it for everyone’s health,” she continued. “This is the first year that we’re requiring masks for folks that are coming into the house. Again, these are safety measures we’re putting in place for our visitors and volunteers.” 

Admission is still free, and reservations can be made at metroparkstoledo.com/holidays.

Mrs. Eagan is excited for the Metroparks to return to in-person tours for the holidays.

“I think this is one of the greatest gifts that the Metroparks and the volunteers give freely,” she said. “There’s never been a charge. It’s a long-standing tradition. It makes you feel good and puts you in the spirit. In today’s world that’s very important.” 

Ms. Hughes said Holidays at the Manor House is not only the largest event for the Metroparks, but also the most heartfelt.

“We really use it as a wrap-up to say thank you for everything the community gives us daily. It is a multigenerational event. It was really important for us to bring it back in person and let the community know we’re here year-round and grateful for their support,” Ms. Hughes said.

First Published December 1, 2021, 1:00 p.m.