Mansions & Homes Tour

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2 Round Hill Road

The George Washington Youngman House

The Youngman estate with its 24-room brick Italian Villa style mansion was built as a summer home in 1865 for George Washington Youngman, his wife, and nine children. The sun-dried bricks used in construction were made on the property. Characteristic of the Italian Villa style is the overhanging roof, bracketed eves and quoin corners as well as the ornate moldings above the windows. The porch is original and is one of the few remaining in Williamsport which exemplifies the Italian Villa style. The front door leads into a center hall with large, high ceilinged rooms and interior folding shutters protecting the windows. Note in this house, one will see the remarkable talents of Samuel Dornsife, the world renowned interior decorator from Williamsport, PA.

Owner: Joan Eskra

Chair: Bob Esposito

Florist: Special Occasion Florals, Karen Ruhl

Sponsor: Bastian Tire and Auto Centers

19 East Fourth Street

James V. Brown Library

The James V. Brown Library was a gift to the city of Williamsport from James Vanduzee Brown, a prominent citizen who made his fortune in lumber and grain mills, and was instrumental in the founding of the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority. The Library was designed by Edgar V. Seeler, and opened to the public on June 18, 1907. Entering through the Fourth Street foyer, visitors encounter the marble statues of Ruth and Beatrice Portinari which were part of Brown’s personal collection. The magnificent Moltz Rotunda Reading Room is part of the original structure, and contains the stained glass dome skylight and recently installed wrought iron gazebo. The Rotunda will be decorated for the holidays with a Victorian style tree and garland.

162 East Third Street

The Reighard House

One of Williamsport’s oldest standing historic structures, the Reighard House was constructed circa-1840 in a federal style, but was later modified to its current Flemish gable-style architecture. Located in Williamsport’s “Little Italy” neighborhood, the home was owned by Giuseppi and Fortunata Biffarella and then Domenico Cuzzupi, before sitting vacant for the past decade. Purchased in 2008 by Jonathon Kohr of Old City Restoration, the house is in the midst of massive interior and exterior restorations allowing visitors a unique opportunity to see the bones of a beautiful historic building and partially restored spaces.

Owner: Jonathan and Christina Kohr

Chair: Jessica Abernathy

Sponsor: DiSalvo’s Restaurant

166 Mulberry Street

Mulberry Street Café

When originally built as the “Second Ward Hotel” in approximately 1864, The Mulberry Street Café was the second oldest hotel in Williamsport. Lumbermen and canal workers often visited this establishment due to its close proximity to both the West Branch Canal (now Canal Street) and various lumber mills. The cellar once served as a stop point for the “Underground Railroad.” Today the cafe houses a bar and restaurant on the main floor and hotel rooms upstairs. This is one of the few remaining blocks in the Italian neighborhood. Come hear about the history of Williamsport’s “Little Italy” while enjoying a small “taste of Italy”.

Property Owner: Neil Casale

Business Owner: Denise Aderhold

Chair: Neil Casale

Sponsor: Aquarius Pools & Patio Inc

200 West Fourth Street

The Historic Genetti Hotel

The Genetti Hotel, originally named the Lycoming Hotel, was built in 1921. On the opening day at noon, on Wednesday, June 21, 1922, Edgar Munson, representing the Board of Directors, raised a large American flag to the flagpole on the roof 192 feet above West Fourth Street. The Genetti Hotel’s elegant atmosphere has attracted many notable guests. Among the hundreds of celebrity visitors and overnight guests were Gene Kelly, Clarence Darrow, Rita Hayworth, Carl Sandburg, Bob Dylan, and dozens of politicians including Robert F. Rich, John G. Snowden, Governor Edward Martin, Alvin Bush, Robert Kennedy and Tom Ridge. Victorian Christmas tourists are welcome to walk through our historic hotel lobby and take-in our beautiful Christmas decorations.

201 East Third Street

The Dr. Charles Cipolla House

Architecturally, this 1904-1905 turn of the century townhouse straddles the late Victorian and early Craftsman styles with its curved staircase, period woodwork, stained glass, and decorative elements still intact. For fifty years it was the office (and later the home) of Dr. Cipolla, a physician and surgeon renowned for his skill, generosity, and kindness. Dr. Cipolla’s large fig tree in the courtyard has contributed many scions which have become fig trees planted throughout the city. The current owners are artists who love the house and love living in “Old City” Williamsport, originally the Italian neighborhood.

Owners: Jon Bogle and Deborah Caulkins

Chair: Beverly McCauley

Florist: Janet’s Floral Creations, Janet Johns

Sponsor: Impact Advertising

522 West Fourth Street

The Hiram Rhodes House

This late 1880s Queen Anne Style Victorian home, designed by Eber Culver, was the residence of Hiram Rhoads – the man who first brought the telephone to Williamsport. Among the home’s many features are the front doors with an unusual stained glass design, the hand carved mahogany wainscoting and winding staircase which dominate the large center hall, solid pecan flooring throughout the first floor, five fireplaces, upstairs bathtub encased in mahogany, ornate gilded bronze hardware, and the most magnificent chandeliers in Williamsport. The gourmet kitchen with its handsome tiles has been featured in “Victorian Kitchens & Baths” book and “Victorian Homes” magazine.

Owner: Robert Elion

Chair: Ruth Grieco and Erin Cappelli

Florist: Strawberry Basket, eliz Snyder

Sponsor: Jack Kramer

707 West Fourth Street

The Rowley House Museum

This superb 1888 Queen Anne three-story brick mansion was designed by Eber Culver and is one of the most magnificent remaining examples of the craftsmanship and quality which exemplified “Millionaires’ Row.” Nothing was spared by multimillionaire Edwin A. Rowley from the elaborately carved staircases, fireplaces and exterior wood friezes, to the completely intact gasoliers with cut glass globes, and numerous Tiffany stained glass windows.

Owner: Preservation Williamsport

Chair: Robert Kane, Rowley House Museum Curator

Florist: Special Occasion Florals, Karen Ruhl

815 West Fourth Street

Y W C A

The cornerstone for the majestic home of the local YWCA was laid in 1928, after a dedicated team of women raised $450,000 for construction in a mere five days. We invite you to marvel at the beautiful rotunda, decorated by Marguerite Bierman – accented in gold leaf, a dazzling crystal chandelier and breathtaking colors. The Art Guild will feature some of the finest artisans showcasing work which will be available for purchase.

858 West Fourth Street

Thomas Taber Museum, Lycoming County Historical Society

My favorite toy… For the holiday season, the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society has assembled the favored childhood toys of Lycoming residents. The exhibit which opens on the day of the Preservation Williamsport annual house tour will be open for your viewing pleasure through Saturday, January 18, 2014. In addition to toys loaned to us by members of the community, toys from our permanent collection, including a bicycle owned by a member of the Casale family of Williamsport, will be on display.

1022 West Fourth Street

The Mussina House

Mainly Gothic in style but possessing various other stylistic elements, the Charles Coburn Mussina home was designed in 1881 by Architect Isaac Hobbs and Son of Philadelphia. A majority of the rooms feature exquisite stained glass windows from the Keystone Glass Works in Philadelphia. Also of interest are the tiles surrounding the east living room fireplace, which depicts scenes from Sir Walter Scott’s novels and the ornate walnut and maple banister leading to the second floor. In addition, there will be several of the homeowner’s personal Nativity Scenes (crèche) on display.

Owner: The Colling Family

Chair: Kelly Annicelli and Jennifer Johnson

Florist/decorator: Lady Di Floral & Garden Art, Diane Franklin

Sponsor: Airmen Heating & Air Conditioning

1117 First Ave

Seven Pines

This red-brick, center hall colonial was built in 1938 by Frederick and Edith Heim in what became one of the finest neighborhoods in Williamsport. As president of the Williamsport Savings Institution, Mr. Heim insisted the home was built with the finest materials which included solid oak and pegged hardwood floors, a grand center hall staircase, crown molding in every room, and a large fireplace in the 35-foot long living room.

Owner: Kenneth and Marianna Danielsen

Chair: Marianna Danielsen

Florist: Acquarius Pools & Patio Inc

Sponsor: Blaise Alexander Chevrolet Inc

1227 Locust Street

The Bennardi O’Connor House

This 1918 home developed by Vallamont Land Co. was the residence of Charles Spring until 1945 when it was sold to Frank Anthony Bennardi and Evelyn Anastasia Bennardi. In 1969 the Bennardi’s niece, Gloria Anastasia Peters, and her husband, John Peters, purchased the home from Evelyn Bennardi after the death of Frank. The Peters lived in the home 12 years, sold it to Tom and Peachie O’Connor, and then bought the Maneval home on West Fourth Street. Today the homestead remains in the family with owners Tom and Peachie (Bennardi) O’Connor, who was born and raised in this house. In 1982 a fire destroyed a great deal of the home’s structure but it has since undergone reconstruction and restoration. Note the oak and chestnut trim and colonnades which line the entrance foyer, the beautiful built-in china cabinets, and the solid oak hardwood floors.

Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. O’Connor

Chair: Tom and Peachie O’Connor

Florist: Nevill’s Florist, Rosemary Holmes

Sponsor: R. S. Alberts Company

1322 Cherry Street

The Vanderlin House

Designed in compelling Arts and Crafts architectural style, this home features beautiful chestnut beams and woodwork. A mid-1900s chestnut blight destroyed most of the magnificent American chestnut trees which makes this house and its woodwork so rare. Enjoy the 6-foot ceiling-to-floor doors in the 30-foot living room which leads to the handsome 64-foot stone porch wrapping around the front and sides of this home. Although not original to the house, take note of the beautiful stained glass panels which hang from the windows.

Owner: Jim and Pennie Vanderlin

Chair: Amy Dowling and Ashley Bogart

Florist: Hall’s Florist, Karen

Sponsor: Cloud 9 Airport Restaurant & Franco’s Lounge