House, museum open for tours New Year's Day

A Niles industrial leader built the house in 1862.
NILES -- The Ward-Thomas House, 503 Brown St., will be open for tours from 2 to 5 p.m. New Year's Day.
The house remains decorated for the holidays, and volunteer tour guides from the Niles Historical Society will be on hand to answer questions from visitors.
Many of the 36 "Ladies of the White House Gowns," which were made in honor of the nation's Bicentennial in 1976, are on display. Much research went into making the gowns as authentic as possible.
Rich in history
The house, built in 1862 by James and Eliza Ward, is a stately mansion in the Italianate style of architecture. Ward was an industrial leader whose iron rolling mill was a factor in the growth of Niles.
The 14 rooms in the Ward-Thomas House and Museum are filled with antique furniture and memorabilia connected to the city's history.
More than 4,000 items are featured in the museum, which also includes the Westenfield Room, the former carriage house converted into a display area. The room is named for Niles attorney R. Clare Westenfield, who founded the historical society in 1976.
In 1886, J.R. Thomas bought the Brown Street house and named it "Brynhyfrd." It remained in the Thomas-Waddell-Clingan family until 1978, when the house and surrounding property were given to the city. The historical society was entrusted by the city to create the museum and re-establish the surrounding four acres into a garden showplace.
The Ward-Thomas House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 1984.
Guided tours for groups can be arranged by calling (330) 544-2143 or (330) 652-7159.