WEST AKRON - A new family holiday event, "Tales of Christmas Past - A Holiday Event in the Historical Tradition," debuted this holiday season at the historic Perkins family home, located at the corner of Copley Road and South Portage Path.

For this event, the Perkins Stone Mansion and Wash House was transformed for the holidays by local professionals of historic and contemporary interior design. To add to the holiday merriment, each interior designer decorated his or her room on behalf of a local charitable organization. After touring the home, each guest had the chance to vote for his or her favorite room. The room with the most votes would win 10 percent of the event proceeds for its designated charity.

The winning room was the Alexander Bedroom, decorated in the theme of a "Blue Christmas Spirit" by designer Brenda Keener, of Canal Fulton. The selected charity for this room was ACCESS Inc., an emergency shelter for women and children located in West Akron.

"This project was such a fabulous opportunity to work with not only very talented designers, but a wide variety of truly deserving charities," said Paula Moran, executive director of the Summit County Historical Society.

"It was such a rewarding experience we are already making plans for next year."

The other participating designers and charities were:

Pamela Bayer, of Pamela Bayer Interiors, on behalf of Children's Memorial Hospital (of Chicago) in honor of Matthew Zehner;

Robin Brechbuhler, of Brechbuhler Interior Design Ltd., on behalf of Victory Gallop in Bath;

Katherine Harmon, of Bella Abode, on behalf of the Humane Society of Greater Akron in Peninsula;

Jennifer McCool, of Jennifer McCool Interior Design, on behalf of the Ian Healy Kidney Fund (Ian is a West Akron resident);

Cindy Pastoria, of Cindy Pastoria Designs, on behalf of St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis;

Jim Pesce, of James Pesce Designs, one room on behalf of the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Foundation, of Akron, and one room on behalf of the Mental Health Association of Summit County, of Cuyahoga Falls;

Brian Reeder, of Reeder Architects & Interior Design, on behalf of Kiwanis K-Kids;

The Museum Services Division of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, on behalf of itself, located in West Akron;

The Summit County Historical Society Service League, on behalf of itself, located in West Akron; and

Chris Stranahan, of Wild Birds Unlimited, on behalf of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

To learn more about the Summit County Historical Society, call (330) 535-1120 or visit www.summithistory.org.