A Map of East Walnut Hills Historic District

Betterments and Improvements

1. Outside trim painted summer 2008

2. House and wall tuck pointed winter 2008

3. Replaced front porch fall 2008

4. Replaced side porch pillars rotted wood fall 2008

5. Solarium painted and wood replaced summer 2008

6. Fence painting summer 2008

7. New back patio winter 2008

8. New bathroom third floor 2008

9. Floor sanding and carpeting third floor 2006

10. New carpet third floor stairs 2008

11. Third floor bedrooms painted and decorating 2007

12. Installed 2nd floor laundry 2007

13. 2nd floor bedrooms floor sanding 2006

14. Complete basement remodel 2007

15. Polyurethane floors 1st floor 2006

16. New drainage system and sump pumps installed in basement 2006

17. Dog fence 2007

18. Roof repairs summer 2008

19. New bathroom fixtures 2nd floor 2006 & 2008

20. 2nd floor south bedrooms refurbishing 2006

21.New light fixtures 3rd floor, 2nd floor and basement - on going

22. Large scale electric work 2006 & 2007

Notes on the House

The kitchen and master bath were extensively remodeled about 4 years ago. The kitchen was showcased in several publications and is still used as a model kitchen at Auer Designs. The dining area of the kitchen is a frequent site of family dinners. There is a warm fireplace next to the dining room table.The basement was completely remodeled 2 years ago. Most of the basement looked like the basement storage areas. Utilities were raised, concrete floors repoured and evened, original brick walls sandblasted, a perimeter drainage system was installed around the basement, the kitchen floor heated and fireplace installed. It is used as a children play room, family movie night, and occasional Poker room. Several rooms in the basement were contemplated as potential wine cellars.
The third floor was completly remodeled 2 years ago. Most of the basement looked much like the two storage rooms still there. Origianl floors were finished, a seperate central air condtioning system installed, a new bathroom installed, carpeting installed, fireplace installed, new lighting and plugs installed, 3-phone line system installed. The third floor has become a working office and a favorite spot for house guest.

There are several old glass light fixtures still on the third floor. In one storage area the windows are tinted red. This is original. In the late 1880's photography was a very popular new technology, and this room was used as a dark room. The extensive shelves in the room and sink were used for this purpose.

There are two fountains in the house, both work. One is in the garden room which is a very pleasant room for teas, small dining parties, or cocktail parties. The other is outside on the side of house, which is a popular gathering spot for parties.

There is a working elevator in the house which is helpful for elderly visitors, and several times when members of the family had knee surgery.

There is a porch on the second floor, off a bedroom and TV room. The porch is a pleasant and private spot to sit on warm summer nights. There is electric on the porch for TV's or radios.

The formal dining room and living room are frequent spots for extended family gatherings/dinners and entertaining. There is a convenient bar for entertaining between the rooms.

The master bedroom is very comfortable and spacious. The warm fireplace makes it also a family gathering place as many of the children like to congregate on the bed or next to the fire to reas or watch TV.

There is an outdoor patio. The patio creates a private space right of the kitchen for outdoor dining and entertaining. There is a large Blue Spruce tree planted in the corner with several small trees and bushes planted along the perimeter of the curved wall.

A custom designed outbuilding/garage has designed to complement the houses architecture around the kitchen. An Arbor will extend off the outbuilding and attach to the house. The arbor will create an entrance from the side yard to this private patio area. The area was designed by Stephen Smith who is a highly regarded landscape architect in Cincinnati who has done most of the homes in our immediate area.

The Cincinnati Tennis Club is around the corner and is one of the oldest Tennis clubs in America, hosting many early national tournaments. It was built around the same time as 2963 Annwood was built. It still hosts the national Father and Son Tennis Tournament and many of the players stay with neighbors surrounding the club.

The house is in historic East Walnut Hills, but is 1 1/2 minutes from Hyde Park. The Cincinnati Country Club is 2 minutes away off Grandin Road. Obryonville is a prospering small shopping area with Bon Bonnery, Coffee Shops, Antiques, and Dress Shops etc.

Larz Anderson House

The Cincinnati Anderson family are descended from Nicholas Longworth, whose daughter Catherine married Lars Anderson the first owner of the house. Their family's history in Cincinnati goes back to the Revolutionary War. The Longworth's were one of the founding families of Cincinnati's early development and at one point Nicholas Longworth was the largest landowner in the United States. Besides their many businesses, the Longworth's were known for Catawba grape wines they grew in the hills around Mt. Adams, and creating the world renown Rookwood Pottery also located in Mt. Adams started by Marie Longworth.

The Anderson's cousin Nicholas Longworth III was elected speaker of the house and married Alice Roosevelt in a White House wedding during Teddy Roosevelt's term in office. They were society fixtures in Washington and Cincinnati and were frequent visitors to their cousin's house at 2963 Annwood. Larz Anderson was a prominent Cincinnati businessman and an important part of the Longworth and Anderson families, eventually being designated as Trustee of both the Anderson and Longworth's estates.

The Longworth's were second owners of the Baum/Longworth/Taft house know today as the Taft Museum. The American Book Company, next to the Taft Museum was also designed by Leaner and Anderson. Mr. Anderson was an officer of the company.

The American Book Company would later be known as the Pugh Building, who were the owners of the business and the building. (Today the building is condos on the corner of Pike Street and Columbia Parkway as you approach P&G's Corporate Headquarters.)It is believed the Pugh's were related or close friends to the Andersons and the Pugh's became the second family to own 2963 Annwood.

The Pugh's were an early Cincinnati family who were printers in Cincinnati since the early 1800's They became known as Abolitionists printers prior to the Civil War and well known during the Civil War era. Several times their business was attacked by mobs and their presses were destroyed and rebuilt.

The Stinnets who we purchased the house from were excellent caretakers and did extensive renovations. Mr. Stinnets is a retired banker. Mrs. Stinnets was actively involved in the Garden Society and did frequent entertaining, especially in the Garden Room. They have one son who eventually moved away after College and the Stinnets occupied the house themselves for the most of the time they owned the house. They were frequent entertainers.

The house is recognized by the Historical Society and the Miami Valley Historical Society. The house was featured at the Betts House in downtown Cincinnati and was part of a lecture series given by the Betts House on great homes in Cincinnati. Because of its historic designation, any changes to the grounds or the exterior of the house itself need to follow historic guidelines. The groups are very accommodating and work well with home owners.

2963 Annwood Street