The Corn Hill Holiday Tour of Homes has been a cherished Rochester tradition for thirty-seven years. This year, on Saturday, December 7, the Corn Hill Neighbors Association invites the public to once again explore six beautifully decorated homes, ranging from historic to contemporary, each adorned with festive décor. The event will host three guided tours throughout the day, allowing visitors to explore both the interior and exterior holiday decorations of each home.
“The Home Tour originally began as part of the Corn Hill Arts Festival in the summer,” says Sean Soper, co-chair for the Corn Hill Holiday Tour of Homes committee. “As the arts festival grew, the home tour was transitioned to a holiday event to give it more focus. This year, in addition to the six featured homes, the tour will include a stop at Corn Hill Navigation, where visitors can participate in a gingerbread house contest by voting for their favorite creation.”
Soper’s commitment to this year’s tour extends beyond his role as co-chair, as he and his partner, Keith Davis, will have their home featured on the tour. Meanwhile, their neighbors Robin and Ron Plummer have been part of the tour in the past and have fond memories of their previous experiences. Here’s a look at the history of both homes and what being part of this Rochester holiday tradition means to them.
Sean Soper and Keith Davis
Isaac Loomis House, 1860
Sean Soper and Keith Davis lived for six years in an apartment and then a townhouse in Corn Hill, where they loved admiring the historic homes during their daily walks with their dog, Dax. “Keith always said this was his favorite house in the neighborhood,” Soper recalls. “When we decided we had outgrown our townhouse and started searching for a new home, we were thrilled to find out this house was for sale. I told Keith he might finally get the home he had been dreaming of!”
That dream house, designed by renowned Rochester architect Isaac Loomis (1801–83), was once his personal residence. Loomis made notable contributions to Rochester’s architectural landscape, including several single-family homes in Corn Hill. Known for his skillful blend of aesthetic appeal and functional design, Loomis drew inspiration from the Greek Revival and Victorian styles that were popular during his era.
Painted a deep green that can appear almost black in certain light, the house stands out on the corner property with its proud double chimneys, brick façade, and ornate gingerbread detailing. Just under 2,000 square feet, the house lost many of its original historic details, including moldings and built-ins, over the years due to multiple occupants and a period when it was divided into seven separate units. Soper and Davis are delighted to see it restored as a single-family home and are dedicated to bringing back as many of its original details as possible.
To preserve the house’s original style, one of the first projects after moving in was installing new flooring downstairs, where only subflooring remained. “We’re fortunate that the original pine floors upstairs are still intact,” says Davis. “For the downstairs, we aimed to stay true to the home’s character.” The kitchen renovation incorporated Gothic elements, including moldings and cabinet glass designed to echo the windows on the exterior.
The house has a tradition of repurposing materials; for example, the slate used for the walkways was once part of the city’s sidewalks. Continuing this practice, Soper and Davis have sourced items like lighting from local second-hand historic shops, maintaining the home’s connection to its past.
Even though they’ve only lived in the house for a few months, Soper and Davis are excited and ready to open their “new-to-them” home to the public for the Holiday House Tour. Their confidence comes in part from the strong support they receive from their neighborhood. Davis, who serves on the Corn Hill Neighborhood Association board, says, “So much of what this neighborhood accomplishes is possible because of volunteers. You don’t find that in many places. A lot of volunteer effort goes into both the arts festival and the Holiday Tour. These are major fundraisers for the neighborhood, and the money raised helps support the community through scholarships and grants. It’s this collective effort that brings our community together and preserves its unique charm for future generations.”
Robin and Ron Plummer
Brennan-Pearson House, 1840s
The love and care that Robin and Ron Plummer have poured into their house is apparent in the details. From the miniature replica of the house that serves as the neighborhood’s free little library to the carefully curated collection of milk glass that adorns the open kitchen shelves, the Plum – mers have been dedicated stewards of the home they lovingly acquired nine years ago. “There’s just something that draws me to living in an old house,” says Robin. “We used to own a big 1850s Gothic Victorian home in Le Roy, and this feels like a miniature version of that—but with the added convenience of being in the city.”
The house, built in the 1840s by carpenter-joiner Thomas Thorn, features post-and-beam construction, with the original posts still visible in the living room. It has a rich history of creative occupants, including its namesakes: Patrick Brennan, a tailor, lived in the home from 1867 to 1890, and Rob Pierson, an internationally renowned silversmith, occupied the space between 1955 and 1970.
The Greek Revival cottage may be just 1,340 square feet on paper, but inside, it feels much more spacious thanks to the Plummers’ thoughtful renovations and careful attention to preserving the unique character of each room. Their efforts even have extended to the backyard garden, where repurposed bricks, left by the previous owners, were used to create borders for flower beds and gardens. “There are still a few small projects I’d like to tackle, like updating the kitchen cabinets or making some changes to the bathrooms. But, as with all our renovations, we’ll approach them with respect for the house’s original character. I’m drawn to things with history, and this house has a soul—that’s why it captured my heart.”
The Plummers are deeply involved in their community—Robin has served as the Corn Hill Arts Festival chair for the past two years and has been on the committee for three. Their dedication inspired them to open their home for the 2021 Holiday Home Tour. While their house won’t be featured this year, they are eager to support and assist their neighbors who will be on the tour. Robin comments, “This really is the best neighborhood, and we are so lucky to be a part of it. Corn Hill is a little piece of heaven!”
For more information about the Corn Hill Holiday Tour of Homes, including how to purchase tickets to this year’s event, visit cornhill.org/holiday-tour-of-homes.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of (585).
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