Even though Judi Tischler knows what it’s like to own a historic home, since hers was built in 1911, it’s always a learning experience to get a peek inside of other old Newton properties.
Last Sunday, members of the public got a chance to step back in time and explore several century-old buildings as part of Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour.
“It always feels to me as if I’m going to a foreign country” when getting a glimpse inside people’s homes, Tischler said. She had attended the tour many times over the years and watched it online during the Covid pandemic.
This year marks the event’s 40th anniversary — and the first time it has taken place in person since 2019.
“It’s such a beautiful experience,” said Tischler while on the third floor of an English Arts and Crafts home on Mt. Vernon Street.
The public was able to get a peek inside this English Arts and Crafts-style home on Mt. Vernon Street, during Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour on Sunday. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) People who visited this Mt. Vernon Street property during Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour on Sunday, got to check out the view from the third floor’s walk-in skylight. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This English Arts and Crafts-style home Mt. Vernon Street, features a “Harry Potter” bathroom under the stairway – including a picture of the first book’s cover. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Laurel Farnsworth, a Historic Newton board member and volunteer, directs visitors inside an English Arts and Crafts-style home on Mt. Vernon Street. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Tim LeBlanc, who co-owns an English Arts and Crafts-style home on Mt. Vernon Street, answered questions about third-floor renovations during Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This English Arts and Crafts-style home on Mt. Vernon Street, features a small seating nook on the renovated third floor. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Tim LeBlanc and Nancy Greenberg, owners of the 1912 house, revealed a few surprises to visitors, including a tiny bathroom tucked under the stairway ala Harry Potter. A framed cover of the best-seller was even hanging on the wall.
While Harry may be a fictional wizard, the real “magic” came from the third-floor view as seen through the walkout skylight. Tourgoers “oohed” and “aahed” while gazing out on the panorama that included views of Waltham, Belmont, and Newton. LeBlanc said during area Fourth of July festivities, they can easily see the fireworks from that vantage point.
The third-floor space, which now includes the master bedroom, a bathroom, and seating nook, had been completely renovated. Greenberg and LeBlanc worked on improvements to the home while keeping the English Arts and Crafts aesthetic intact.
Ellen Katz and Jay Werb also welcomed visitors into their home — a Dutch Colonial Revival on Williams Street.
Ellen Katz and Jay Werb sat outside their Dutch Colonial Revival home on Williams Street, which was part of Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Ellen Katz and Jay Werb don’t have far to go when they want to visit the Charles River conservation area – it’s just outside of their Dutch Colonial Revival home on Williams Street. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Ellen Katz, a fourth-generation quilter, displayed many of her geometric and whimsical creations throughout her Dutch Colonial Revival home on Williams Street. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Ellen Katz, a fourth-generation quilter, displayed many of her geometric and whimsical creations throughout her Dutch Colonial Revival home on Williams Street. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Katz, a fourth-generation quilter, explained that their 1919 property was originally built as housing for millworkers. After an eight-month gut renovation, she said that they eliminated all fossil fuels, and instead of oil and gas, they now have a heat pump.
The couple displayed Katz’s vibrant, geometric quilts throughout each room, adding colorful elements to the white walls. Visitors could even see a work in progress, with meticulously cut fabric squares arranged on the wall of the sewing room.
In addition to the quilts, another eye-catching element was right outside the door.
“You can see the Charles through the leaves,” said Werb while looking out a second-floor window. In fact, the river’s conservation area is practically their backyard.
Although Laurie Halloran’s home does not sit along the Charles River, her welcoming backyard also highlights nature with flowers, greenery, and a whimsical fairy pool.
The public was able to get a peek inside this Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located on Hunnewell Avenue, during Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) People who visited this Hunnewell Avenue property during Historic Newton’s 2023 Newton House Tour were able to see multiple fairy structures and vignettes inside and outside the home. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located on Hunnewell Avenue features original Tiffany fixtures like the light above the table. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located on Hunnewell Avenue, features a dramatic view from the second-floor gallery down to the first-floor piano. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located Hunnewell Avenue, features painted tiles above the kitchen stove. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located on Hunnewell Avenue, features a billiards room on the third floor. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) This Queen Anne and Shingle-style home located on Hunnewell Avenue features a small fairy pool with a view down to seating in the backyard. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
The Queen Anne and Shingle-style home, located on Hunnewell Avenue, pays homage to its history by keeping original features like Tiffany-style lighting, a butler’s pantry, and a massive mirror in what was once a ladies lounge. However, there are many modern elements, including contemporary artwork, fixtures, and furniture.
In addition to the outdoor fairy pool, visitors got to see multiple, handmade mini structures for the small, magical creatures throughout the home.
Visitor Darby Neff-Verre, who also creates fairy gardens, enjoyed the tour, especially the homey kitchen which featured painted tiles above the stove.
“It had a lot of life in it,” she said.
There were more surprises in store at the top of a very steep stairway to the third floor, where visitors were greeted by a massive billiard table in the middle of a wood-paneled room.
Halloran, a member of Historic Newton, was glad to open her home to the public, and Greenberg of Mt. Vernon Street encouraged others to consider doing the same in future years.
“I would recommend that other people who enjoy their historic homes open them to the public,” said Greenberg. “It is a wonderful opportunity to show the community that old houses are perfectly comfortable and convenient for modern living.” Ticket sales from the tour benefited Historic Newton.
