Ward-Thomas open house Nov. 6

NILES -- The Ward-Thomas Museum will hold an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 to display its restored greenhouse and barn.
The museum is located at 503 Brown St. off state Route 46 on the city's South Side.
Museum patrons donated $46,785 to the Niles Historical Society during the capital improvement fund drive to finance the remodeling.
A plaque will be placed in the greenhouse at 3 p.m. to recognize those who donated to the projects.
During the open house, $2 will be charged for a tour. Refreshments will be served.
The house, of Italianate architecture, was built in 1862 by James Ward, a Niles industrialist. It was bought by John and Margaret Thomas in 1887.
The greenhouse was constructed in 1925. It supplied space for the propagation and growing of plants year-round for use in the garden and house. It had fallen into disrepair.
Stainless steel strips were installed to provide support and much of the glass was replaced, in addition to three coats of paint. Total cost so far is $38,050, said Audrey John, museum curator.
This includes restoring the attached garden house by volunteers who scraped and painted it.
The barn was restored at a cost of $16,050. Two cupolas on top of the roof were updated. The slate roof was repaired and new spouting installed.