This Week's Program was . .
June 24, 2025
Lisa Lewins, Rotary member and Proprietor of the Candoren House. Lisa Lewins gladly accepted an offer to speak about her and her family's restoration of the Candoren House on Mentor Avenue. The house was built by the Steele family for one of their daughters in 1895. Lisa brought a power point presentation to show how all the characters (her family, friends, and neighbors) helped to restore Candoren House to it's beautiful 1895 mansion feel.
The house itself had been on the market for 7 years when the Lewins family purchased it, after the price was reduced by 400 thousand dollars. Lisa always knew she wanted to do something like a bed and breakfast and this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
So the restoration began in January of 2019. They filled a dumpster weekly for many months, even though they salvaged everything that they could. She showed us many pictures of the family, friends and neighbors who worked on the project with them. In one of the bathrooms is a foot bath. Back in the 19th century people washed their hands and feet daily, but only took a bath on Saturday for church on Sunday. The bath tub was in pristine shape but the foot bath was well used. They pulled up all of the carpet and the hardwood floors were in great condition. They did not need to be restored just cleaned and polished. Do you know why they painted the ceiling of the porch blue? Blue ceilings are believed to keep the ghosts away.
Since their restoration they have had about 50 weddings and 300 parties at the house. Lisa would love for anyone to come for a tour and take a look around. If you're looking for a good place to have a party visit the website: http://www.candoren.com/
Our next meeting is July 1, 2025 in the barn at the Lake County History Center. There will not be a speaker. This will be the installation of the 2025-2026 officers and celebration of the 2024-2025 club officers. Thanks for your service to the Painesville Rotary Club.
