POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) – On Saturday in Poland, six owners of the village’s most historic homes will be opening them to the public as part of the Poland Historical Society’s first “Tour of Homes” in 20 years. Today, we had the opportunity to sample one of its most famous and get an idea of what the tour will encompass.

Built in 1876 at the corner of Riverside Drive and Main Street, Poland’s Robert L. Walker House is one of the village’s most recognizable.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, we know that house. You’re the big house on the hill. Everyone knows this house,'” said owner Mary Tursky.

Today, the Walker House is owned by Martin and Mary Tursky.

“This room is original,” Mary said.

They bought it two years ago when Martin took a job with Mercy Health.

“So we walked in and it instantly is charming, everything about it. The crown molding, the beautiful staircase. Just everything is unique,” Mary said.

On Saturday, the Walker House will be part of the Poland Historical Society’s Tour of Homes.

“As of last night, we had sold 700, but we sold many more today and we are looking at having a crowd close to 1,000 people,” said Joan Smith with the Poland Historical Society.

Other houses on the tour include the 1851 Fitch-Kirtland House (7090 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Rd.), the Kirtland-Hine House (441 S. Main St.) built in 1845, the Woodruff House (323 S. Main St.) from 1825 that was destroyed by fire and rebuilt, Logan Place (320 N. Main St.) from 1850 and the oldest on the tour, the Hall-Truesdale House (214 S. Main St.) from 1819. The Little Red School House (4515 Center Rd.) will also be open.

“I think the community is really ready for this. It’s been a long time. We’ve all been in our homes far too long and I think that adds to the excitement,” Smith said.

“So the kitchen was the selling feature for all of us but especially my husband,” Mary said.

In 1995, a new modern kitchen was added to the Walker House. On the third floor, you can look out onto Main Street — the same view William McKinley had when he visited with Mr. Walker.

The Turskys understand their responsibility.

“You’re a caretaker for that home. There’s a lot of history behind it. People look at it in a different way, especially here in Poland,” Martin said.

As far as opening their house to the public…

“I think there’s always that trepidation where, OK, are they going to like what we’ve done with it? But at the end of the day, it’s beautiful to us and we’re happy and proud of it. So I hope everyone appreciates it,” Mary said.

The Poland Historical Society’s Tour of 19th-Century Homes is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and will benefit the Poland Historical Society. They can be bought pre-sale at Aebischer’s Jewelry (68 S. Main St.), Consign & Design (11 W. McKinley Way) and The Flower Loft (101 S. Main St.).

On the day of the tour, tickets can be bought at Poland Village Hall (308 S. Main St.) and The Little Red Schoolhouse (4515 Center Rd.) in Lowellville from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Patty Coller contributed to this report.