Behind the Scenes at Stranleigh 2023
Have you ever wondered about daily life in a mansion? Join us for this unique opportunity to see all four floors of the Manor House and discover what life was like on the Stranahan Estate.
The Manor House
Wildwood Affected by Road Closure Ahead: Signs posted on Central Avenue say the road will close March 13 between the Main and East entrances to Wildwood Preserve. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the road may be closed up to 150 days while a bridge over the Ottawa River is replaced. Both entrances to the park will remain open, but there will be no vehicle access between them. The designated detour is to take I-475 around the project area.
The Wildwood Manor House is a Toledo icon and the centerpiece of the beautiful estate grounds now known as Wildwood Preserve Metropark.
The Georgian Colonial home is open for free tours and hosts a variety of cultural and historical events, including popular monthly Teas hosted by the Manor House Volunteers. With more than 30,000 total square feet, the Manor House is a one of a kind property used in part today as the headquarters for the Metroparks district. The house, or specific rooms, can also be rented for weddings, meetings and other private functions.
History of Manor House & Estate
The first half of the 20th century proved an uncertain, but exciting time in American history. From the turn of the century through the 1920s, the United States fostered unbelievable economic and industrial growth. Inventors and innovators introduced the world to amazing new concepts in the fields of transportation and energy. As bright and promising as those times were, the Great Depression and war years that followed equaled them in despair and foreboding. The prosperous years allowed men of genius and vision to accumulate incredible wealth and influence, while the lean times tested these new American leaders.
During this era, amazing industrial accomplishments transformed Toledo and northwest Ohio into leaders in the country’s good times, but left the region in desperate circumstances when the Depression hit. The story of one prominent Toledo family, the Stranahan's, encapsulates these times and continues to shed light on how the country went from economic feast to famine; and finally emerged to lead the world through the remainder of the 20th century.
Founders of Champion Spark Plug Company, brothers R.A. and F.D. Stranahan became wealthy beyond their greatest imagination and then used their money and influence to help see Toledo and the nation through the troubling times of the Great Depression and World War II. R.A. Stranahan’s impressive mansion and sprawling estate, now Wildwood Preserve, stand as a testament to the great business success the brothers enjoyed.
The existence of Wildwood today is the result of a citizens' campaign in the mid-1970s to preserve the property as a public park. The issue was placed on the ballot and won the support of the voters—and the hearts of generations of visitors.
Programs
Tea in the Manor House (2023) [Details]
Behind the Scenes (2023) [Details]
Rental Information
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Address
5100 W. Central Ave.
Toledo, OH 43615
Programs
Manor House Tours,
Winter Hours are February and March, Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays, Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through October. No reservations required. The house is closed to the public in November in preparations for Holidays at the Manor House.
Tea in the Manor House
- May 5: Prom Queen Tea
- August 4: Suffragette Tea
- October 6 Spooky Tea, costumes encouraged
For reservations or information call (419) 407-9790.
Music in the Grand Manor
Start the day with a delightful concert and lunch.
Fee: $20 per person
- Friday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (reservation start Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.)
- Friday September 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (reservations start Monday, August 28 at 9 a.m.)
Call 419-407-9790 for reservations.
A Cup of Christmas Tea, space is limited, call 419-407-9790 for reservations on TBD.
Noon Tunes line-up to be announced in Spring 2023.
Rentals within Manor House
For rental information you can email or call
(419) 407-9784.
Tenting the Patio: Add a tent over the back patio of the Manor House to increase the size of your event. Tenting available through Meredith Party Rentals at an additional cost.
Capacity: Standard maximum capacity per each room.
Features
Articles Tagged in Manor House
Learn How to Tango
Learn the Argentine Tango in a beautiful nature setting at the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve. Class led by Paulette's Studio of Dance.
Yoga at the Manor House
Yoga has returned to the Manor House with our partners Yogaja Yoga Studio.