Ohio’s Medina — On the land behind the McDowell-Phillips House Museum, located at 205 S. Prospect St. in Medina, the Medina County Historical Society has announced plans to construct a historical center.
About 40 members of the historical society met on the museum’s front porch on August 10 to discuss the proposed barn-like building.
“We promised our donors that we would expand the grounds to accommodate our expanding membership and artifacts when we purchased the McDowell-Phillips House five years ago,” said Brian Feron, president of the society.
In order to preserve our county’s heritage for upcoming generations, the history center will offer much needed extra room.
According to a brochure, the goal is to construct a 3,000-square-foot multipurpose building that may be used for public events, seminars, displays, and storage.
Since its founding in March 1922, Medina County’s historical society has gathered, collected, and conserved artifacts of historical significance.
These things require a specific, secure area for storage and display.
Local companies have donated advertising materials and devices, and county citizens have been contributing family treasures since 1922.
Priceless artifacts can be found in the attics of the John Smart House and McDowell-Phillips House museums.
The history center will have spacious indoor and covered outdoor gathering spaces for special events, display space for the expanding collections and artifacts, a large, secure basement archival storage area, barn-style architecture that complements the museum’s grounds, and beautifully landscaped grounds.
Feron and the board members of the group have been collaborating with a local builder to create the most cost-effective and useful structure.
Half of the estimated $1.2 million needed for the projected construction has already been raised through grants and donations.
The museum’s electrical system will be upgraded and more parking will be available with that sum.
To further improve the site, the city intends to repave Blake Avenue and install a walkway on the museum side of the roadway.
Call Feron at 330-310-5784 to discuss a contribution, take a tour of the grounds, or find out more about the plans and building details.
Visit www.medinacountyhistoricalsociety.com or send an email to [email protected] to find out more about the Medina County Historical Society.
See the Medina Sun for further information.
