By JARED ORZOLEK

orzolek@crescent-news.com

NAPOLEON -- The Henry County Historical Society has expanded its annual Christmas open house at the Dr. John Bloomfield Home to a two-day event.

The open house will take place Saturday from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the home of the late prominent Napoleon physician which has been newly restored by members of the historical society.

Taking place at 229 W. Clinton St., the open house will feature tasteful holiday decorations, a silent auction, bake sale and holiday stocking stuffer sale.

"Each room will have a tree decorated differently. We have a theme of fruits and pheasant feathers," said historical society president Rose Wiemken.

"There will be a lot of homemade goodies and candies," she added.

In fall 2003, the Henry County Historical Society took possession of the historic Dr. John Bloomfield home and carriage house from GraBen LLC.

The historical society has been restoring the home since 2001, and volunteers from the society have given hundreds of hours of their time to the restoration of the first floor of the house, cleaning up the property and painting the exterior.

More recent improvements to the circa 1879 house include the installation of a handicap-accessible ramp, the addition of a new furnace and air conditioner and upgrades to the foundation and electrical systems.

Three of the upstairs bedrooms in the home have been renovated and will be ready for viewing during the open house.

Many businesses and individuals donated time, materials and money to this ongoing project.

"It's been a dramatic transformation over the last five years to turn the Dr. Bloomfield home into a showcase," said Wiemken.

Designers such as Judi Cotter, Taylor Moyer, Bec Rohrs and Mary Weaks have worked on decorating the home for the open house along with members of the special events committee like Jean Steele and Jean Bremer.

Proceeds from the free event are slated to maintain and renovate the Dr. Bloomfield home, according to Wiemken.

"Come and enjoy the beauty of the past and see our refinished upstairs," Wiemken said.

The Dr. Bloomfield home is available for special events like luncheons, teas, wedding and baby showers and organizational meetings.

For more information on the historical society, visit www.henrycountyhistory.org.