|
Built in the 1870s, the second home on the Christmas Home Tour is now
known as the Ashdown House in Port Elgin.
Uninhabited for a number of years during the 1960s, the stately home
fell into a severe state of disrepair until it became a chiropractic
office.
In 1994, Bob and Gay Ashdown purchased the property and began a major
restoration and renovation. Extensive repairs had to be made to the
kitchen including removing panel walls and restoring as much of the
maple floors as possible while the cupboards are custom-made cherry that
complements the cherry-wood banister and library bookcase.
In the front hall and library is original burlap on the walls and almost
every floor has been restored and refinished. Extensive repairs had to
be made to the original plaster walls and ceilings and the bath on the
second floor has been almost completely returned to its original period
style.
Before indoor plumbing, there were six bedrooms but one has subsequently
been turned into another bathroom. Three of the bedrooms have arches
across the ceilings with a lion's face at each end and a curved plaster
wall forms part of the upstairs hallway.
Also see:
Home
& Garden Home Tour House Number One - Watch Hill
 |
On the upper exterior, each of the more than 20 lintels has a
different design in the concrete. This home will fascinate anyone
interested in this type of period architecture.
The Christmas Home Tour, that will feature 11 homes, all of which will
be decorated for the Holiday season, most by designers or local
companies, will be open for viewing on November 20 and 21. Advance
tickets are $15 and tickets purchased on the day are $20 and are
available at the following retailers:
Mills Home Hardware-Tara
Joannie's Fashions-Paisley
Nicholson Design-Owen Sound
Denomy's TV and Appliance-Chesley
Cathy's Flowers 'n' Treasures-Port Elgin
Bayberry's of High St-Southampton
Becker Shoes-Port Elgin
Square Deal Neil's TV & Appliance Centre-Southampton
All proceeds will go toward the "Let's Play Campaign" and the Rotary
Accessible Playground located at Jubilee Park in Southampton. The Tour
is this Friday and Saturday (20th & 21st) ... Friday 6 - 9 and all day
Saturday.
 |
for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...
