Historic Vernon Redding home up for sale, proceeds will be donated

MANSFIELD — Angelic figures. Grecian columns. Stained-glass windows and a crystal chandelier. A secret room hidden behind a book case.

There are a lot of little details that make Vernon Redding’s English Tudor house unique. But the conditions of its sale may the most distinctive of all.

A piece of Mansfield history is up for sale — and all the proceeds will be donated to charity.

The home, located at 25 Pinecrest Street, was owned by the late Robert and Martha Montague.

Robert Montague was an interior designer at McCready Interiors. Martha was an elementary teacher in the Lexington Local school district. The couple enjoyed traveling and were well-known for entertaining, according to Martha’s obituary.

Real estate agent Keri Nemeth said the couple had no children, but loved animals.

In her will, Martha stated that she wanted the proceeds from the home sale to be split evenly between the Humane Society of Richland County and the S.N. and Ada Ford Fund.

The 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is located on a private street behind South Park. Sluss Realty listed the home on Friday, with an asking price of $225,000.

Nemeth said the structure, which is nearly a century old, has been well-maintained.

“This is why I got into real estate. My passion is the old houses, trying to keep them alive, trying to preserve them. I was just blown away by the moldings, the floor,” Nemeth said.

“The dining room is my favorite. It has French tile on the floor that’s still in impeccable condition and it has this really beautiful curved French doorway.”

According to Nemeth, the property has only had three owners since its construction in 1927.

The first was Vernon Redding, a prolific local architect who designed the home as his personal residence. He named it Leland Manner, a reference to the famed Leland Hotel, which he also designed.

Home’s architect Vernon Redding designed Mansfield library, Ashland county courthouse

Redding designed several iconic buildings in Mansfield and across north central Ohio. Many are now on the National Register of Historic Places.

His portfolio includes the original Mansfield General Hospital, the original Westbrook Country Clubhouse, Mansfield’s Central Methodist Church, Mansfield Savings Bank, the Galion Public Library, Ashland County Courthouse, the Citizens Bank of Shelby (now The Vault Wine Bar), the May Realty building, the Loudonville City Hall and Opera House, Huron County Courthouse and Jail, Holmes County Courthouse and the Mansfield Carnegie Library.

Redding grew up in Ashland and moved to Mansfield as an adult, according to Richland County historian A.J. Baughman.

In his book, History of Richland County from 1808 to 1908 Vol. II, Baughman described Redding as a highly competent, humble man.

“While he does not seek notoriety or public attention, he is at all times a courteous, genial gentleman, and one whose commendable qualities have gained for him warm friendship and sincere regard,” Baughman wrote.

“With a nature that could not be content with mediocrity, he has steadily progressed in his chosen calling and his position now is among the foremost architects of Ohio.”

Nemeth said the property is ideal for a buyer looking for historic charm.

“I hope that someone buys it that loves the history of the home, wants to preserve it, maybe update it a little bit but try to keep it as original as possible.”