Columbia-Tusculum Home Tour

In the 1960s and early 1970s, it seemed as though the grand painted ladies of Columbia-Tusculum were doomed. Thankfully though, preservation-minded homeowners renovated the neighborhood and eventually returned the neighborhood to its former glory. The Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood has now been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Known for the historic district featuring brightly colored 19th century homes and breathtaking valley views, Columbia-Tusculum will be celebrating this year’s theme, “225 years young.” Lindsay Bohanske, Marketing and PR of Columbia-Tusculum says, “The theme will focus on the past, present and future of the lovely and thriving neighborhood.”

Columbia-Tusculum is nestled in the in the Ohio River Valley just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Most houses in the Historic District area were built between the mid-1800 to early 1900s. “Since Columbia-Tusculum is Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood, many of the homes have been renovated to maintain their beauty,” says Bohanske.

This tour will include the Historic district: the Victorian era “Painted Lady” homes but also include the newer homes of the neighborhood, such as the LEED certified homes. More than a dozen colorful unique homes, historic municipal buildings and a popular landmark will be opening their doors to historic detail for the Columbia-Tusculum tour.

“We’re expecting anywhere from 300-500 people or hopefully more,” says Bohanske. The tour, hosted by Columbia-Tusculum Community Council, will give you the chance to view Columbia-Tusculum’s unique, will take place October, 13 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Historic Columbia-Tusculum Neighborhood. Stop by the Green Dog Café in Columbia Square on the day of the event between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up a map and purchase tickets (cash or check only). You can visit CThomestour.com to purchase tickets for $10 in advance or $12 the day of the event when you visit the Green Dog Café, 3543 Columbia Parkway.

According to Bohanske, the “home base” for the tour will be Columbia square. There will be a ticket booth set up there day-of. As part of the tour, participants can expect to receive a day of map and pamphlet with information about each home. Though the homes are walkable, there will be transportation accessible to participants to get from home to home as needed. “Once they arrive at the homes, the participants can feel free to walk around and soak in the historical beauty of the homes or the unique new or ‘green’ construction,” says Bohanske. At many, if not all homes, there will be musicians playing music to further set the ambiance.

“Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood council with the purpose of continuing to maintain and beautify the local neighborhood,” says Bohanske.

For more information, visit their website at CThomestour.com or their Facebook Fanpage.