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Shady Bend Manor House
The 3,000 square foot home features unique Italianate Tuscan village architecture with Victorian interpretation.
Shady Bend Manor House is rich in history. Originally built and owned by John and Emily Hardy in 1874, modern transformation has begun to return Shady Bend to its original splendor, thanks to the care, attention, and restoration skills of proprietors Charles and Linda Downer.
The parlor is one of the rooms meticulously renovated
and furnished at Shady
Bend Manor.
Visitors interested in experiential dining may reserve one of our luxury high Victorian meals, sure to be a memorable experience at this unique culinary destination. Luncheons, dinners, and high teas are served with keen attention to quality, presentation, and authentic experience.
Visitors interested in experiential dining will enjoy
a luxury high Victorian meal served
in the dining room.
The interior décor of Shady Bend Manor House is full of details to keep your eyes entertained for hours.
The ceilings alone are works of art. The dining room and parlor feature coffered ceilings with beautiful detailing that embellishes the original designs. The tonal palate of the parlor ceiling features thirty colors carefully chosen by Mr. Downer for harmony and accent.
The parlor ceiling features beautiful detailing with
a 30-color palate carefully chosen by Mr. Downer
for harmony and accent.
Other rooms feature painted sky-scapes on the ceilings, many with impressive three-dimensional sculptural accents in the forms of cherubs, flowers, or leaves, masterfully blended into the two-dimensional ceiling surface. Mr. Downer, an expert in such technique, created these works of art.
Some ceilings feature three-dimensional sculptural
accents in the forms of cherubs, flowers, or leaves, artfully
created by owner Charles Downer.
Other design features at Shady Bend Manor include the massive carved Renaissance Victorian front door, architectural paneling, painted faux-parquet floors, a notable collection of antique furniture, chandeliers, and exquisite table settings.
Not to be missed at Shady Bend is the extensive collection of art glass and other collectible items displayed throughout the public areas of the manor.
The interior décor of Shady Bend Manor House
is full of details to keep your
eyes entertained for hours.
The manor features architectural delights like a second floor conservatory, a belvedier (middle spire), and tower room, along with several bedrooms and a library that are currently undergoing renovations. The Downers’ living quarters are on the third floor.
Future plans for Shady Bend Manor include opening as a bed and breakfast when renovations are complete, and opening a gift shop featuring antique collectibles. Visitors are welcome to see the renovation work in progress.
Shady Bend Manor House is also home to the Victorian Heritage Society, a nonprofit historical education foundation.
Inspired by the details written in 20 of John Hardy’s diaries, Charles and Linda Downer have tenderly and expertly recaptured the sense of a bygone era at Shady Bend Manor.
Visitors are welcome to tour the Shady Bend Manor House and gardens with advance reservations available daily. Hosted by Mr. Downer, the guided tours are a journey through time and rich in history. Tea is included in the tour.
The Gardens
The classic gardens surrounding Shady Bend Manor House are an outstanding example of mastery in bloom, thanks to the Downers’ expertise in heirloom plants and gardening.
The Downers owned and operated Downer’s Greenhouse in West Lafayette, Ohio, for over 30 years. At the greenhouse, they expertly cultivated perennials to meet the needs of master gardens.
As a result of their experience, Shady Bend Manor visitors will enjoy beatifully designed gardens that showcase outstanding varieties of plants in bloom.
Mr. Downer offers master gardening classes and garden tours throughout the season.
The History
John Hardy was born to a poor Irish family. He fell in love with Emily (??), who had a $10,000 dowry. After their marriage, John loaned portions of Emily’s funds to young men creating businesses, and for gentlemen to pay surrogates to fight in the Civil War. After the war, these successful loans created wealth for the Hardys to purchase land parcels amounting to 600 total acres. John Hardy hired an architect to design and build Shady Bend Manor House, so named after Hardy planted ash and maple trees along the road that winds toward the property, creating a “Shady Bend.”
Members of the Hardy family owned the manor until the 1920s, when it changed hands to the Loveless family, who had a work relationship with the Hardys. Between the Lovelesses and the Downers, the property changed hands at least 20 more times.
The manor served many purposes throughout its history, including as a children’s receiving home in the 1930s. It became the Pine Manor Inn from 1938 to 1942, and housed a “ratskeller,” or downstairs tavern, complete with illegal slot machines. In the 1950s, it housed an antique shop.
The Downers purchased the property in 1968. As intense renovations proceeded, Shady Bend Manor House became their permanent residence in 1989. Renovations are complete in the kitchen, dining room and parlor. As a work of love, they continue restorations “every spare moment” of their time.
Contact Us
Shady Bend Manor
59740 County Road 9
Newcomerstown, Ohio 43832
740-498-7960
charles@shadybendmanor.com |
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