Every December, the Old House Guild of Sandusky invites guests to step back in time and experience the city’s rich architectural heritage through its Holiday Tour of Homes—a cherished local tradition that opens the doors to some of Sandusky’s most historic and beautifully preserved residences.
The Old House Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the preservation and appreciation of Sandusky’s architectural treasures, works year-round to restore, educate, and protect the city’s distinctive structures. Through volunteer projects, workshops, and tours, the Guild helps keep the craftsmanship and character of the past alive for future generations.
This year’s tour features ten historic properties, each uniquely decorated for the season and showcasing the city’s enduring charm. Addresses are not published publicly, but the current list of homes is provided upon purchasing tickets through the Old House Guild’s official website. From historic limestone foundations to charming cottages, graceful Colonial Revivals, and distinctive mid-century gems, each stop tells its own story of artistry, adaptation, and care.
The 2025 Holiday Tour of Homes takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tour Highlight: The Sandusky Masonic Temple Open House
Among this year’s stops, one landmark stands out: the Sandusky Masonic Temple, a monumental structure that embodies both architectural splendor and community history. Master Masons will be on-site throughout the event to answer questions related to Freemasonry. Any man interested in joining the fraternity may tour the Temple without purchasing a ticket, though donations are appreciated.
When Sandusky was platted in 1818 by surveyor and Freemason Hector Kilbourne, he designed its downtown layout in the form of the Masonic square and compasses. Sandusky remains the only known city in the world designed around these Masonic symbols—a lasting tribute to balance, direction, and civic unity. The Temple, with its cornerstone laid in 1889, anchors this symbolism with its imposing presence and distinctive late-19th-century craftsmanship.
Step inside, through the Temple’s grand double doors, and into a lobby framed by history. A steep staircase rises before you—built before modern safety standards—and an antique elevator with folding gates stands to the left. Ride it and you’ll see the floors glide past, a living reminder of early 20th-century engineering. Straight ahead, a door leads to the basement, which will remain closed during the tour.
The second floor serves as the heart of the building. Here lies the main lodge room, a grand hall where several local lodges still meet each month. The space includes a raised stage, perimeter seating, and a balcony above offering a dramatic view of the room below.
Also on this floor is a cozy gathering area complete with a pool table, playing cards, a chess set, and a fireplace. Glass displays showcase Masonic relics. A Masonic library, containing volumes dating back to the 1800s, will be closed off during the event, though a window allows guests to view inside. On this level you’ll also find the restrooms, including a women’s restroom with an attached powder-room lounge—a feature seldom seen in modern construction. A number of small rooms, some kept locked, store ritual and ceremonial items.
The third floor houses a kitchen and dining area with an old cast-iron stove, as well as the entrance to the balcony overlooking the lodge room. Through the back of the kitchen, a narrow stairway leads to the attic and roof, where you can still see the blackened remnants of the 1943 fire that once damaged the upper floors. The Southern portion of the temple contains locker rooms and storage areas that will be closed off during the tour.
The building originally had four stories, but post-fire reconstruction consolidated the structure into three. Longtime visitors and members recall a small, concealed space tucked between the first and second floors of the Temple.
This author’s curiosity was rewarded with access to the hidden level. It is reachable only by climbing a ladder through a narrow, precarious entry behind the basement stairwell. Inside, I stood in an empty room that oral history holds once served as living quarters for a Temple custodian. An arched opening—now walled off from the opposite side—extends beneath the floor. The wallpaper was surprisingly modern-looking for its presumed pre-1943 origins.
Members explained that rooms on this floor were likely rented out when the main lodge space occupied the third and fourth floors. Determined to see more, I stepped through a gap in the wall into a second room, and then another—eventually finding myself behind a set of stairs. A small high opening revealed yet another hidden chamber, though access would require an additional ladder.
These stairs, flanked with red brick rather than the native limestone found throughout the original structure, run straight into the ceiling—now the underside of the present second floor. Their purpose remains a mystery, leaving much to wonder about how many more secrets may lie within this remarkable monument of Sandusky history.
Tour Highlight: The Follett House Museum
A visit to Sandusky wouldn’t be complete without stepping inside the Follett House Museum, one of the most evocative stops on the Holiday Tour—and a year-round treasure for heritage travelers.
Built between 1834 and 1837 for Oran Follett, a publisher, businessman, and civic leader, the mansion stands as one of the region’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. Constructed from yellow limestone, its historic proportions and commanding presence reflect Sandusky’s early prosperity.
Across four museum floors, visitors will discover:
- Period-furnished parlors, dining rooms, and living spaces reflecting mid-19th-century domestic life
- Exhibits tracing Sandusky’s role in the Civil War, including artifacts from the Johnson’s Island POW camp
- A widow’s walk offering sweeping views of downtown Sandusky and Lake Erie
Explore Sandusky’s Year-Round Heritage
Sandusky’s story extends far beyond its shoreline. Its well-preserved architecture, historic districts, and museums make it an ideal year-round destination for travelers interested in heritage, craftsmanship, and local culture.
Don’t miss:
- Walking Tours & Heritage Trails: Explore the Kilbourne Plat, the old Erie County Jail (now the library), and the Follett House Museum.
- Old House Guild Workshops & Events: Hands-on restoration workshops, seasonal lectures, and preservation projects continue throughout the year.
- Self-Guided Architecture Tours: Pick up brochures at the Shores & Islands Welcome Center to discover Victorian, Federal, and Italianate homes throughout the city.
Experience Sandusky in Every Season
The Old House Guild Holiday Tour of Homes and Masonic Temple Open House offer a captivating glimpse into Sandusky’s layered past, but the city’s story is far larger than a single weekend. From limestone landmarks and hidden architectural mysteries to summer gardens, historic museums, and vibrant downtown events, Sandusky invites visitors to explore its heritage all year long.
Whether you come for the holiday lights, the lake breeze, or the legacy of the people who built this community, you’ll find that every season brings a new way to discover—and fall in love with—Sandusky.
