Our STORY
The historic Oviatt House, built in 1836 by Mason Oviatt and his wife Fanny Carter Oviatt, is one of the oldest buildings in Richfield, Ohio. The house has ties to the Underground Railroad and the American abolitionist John Brown. Unfortunately, in November of 2019, the Richfield Joint Recreation District (RJRD)* board voted six to one to raze the house due to its deteriorating condition, lack of funds for restoration and the belief it wasn’t the original structure. |
HONORING OUR HERITAGE. Ken Bowman, historic preservation carpenter for the National Park Service, found evidence that the house was built before the American Civil War and sits on its original sandstone foundation on the property, never moved or disassembled. All floor joists are original, hand-built with mortise and tenon joinery. Many of the interior walls have the original accordion lath and plaster, a folk technique used prior to 1850. Based on this new information, the RJRD postponed demolition to give the group time to determine a use, create a budget and fundraising plan and perform the necessary restoration work. |
A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER. In January 2020, the Save the Oviatt House group was formed. Within only a few short weeks, yard signs showing support appeared in front yards and the group raised $103,000 in pledges toward restoration and ongoing maintenance. Volunteers covered the leaking roof, painted the exterior siding and removed materials such as carpeting, drywall and cabinets that posed a mold hazard.
Save the Oviatt House was incorporated as Oviatt House Inc. (OHI) in March 2021. In May, thanks to work done by the Richfield Historical Society, Oviatt House was added to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. Listings included in this program “honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight.”
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With all requirements met, on July 26, 2021, RJRD voted unanimously to rescind its motion to raze the house and granted OHI exclusive permission to restore and preserve the dwelling. The following week, OHI received its nonprofit status enabling OHI to accept monetary donations that are fully tax-deductible. In addition, OHI is now eligible to apply for government and foundation grants, broadening its access to resources and enabling restoration work.
* RJRD Board of Trustees is the governing body for Richfield Heritage Preserve, a 336-acre preserve offering visitors’ access to lakes, streams and wooded trails any day of the year from dawn to dusk. The RJRD Board of Trustees is made-up of seven members. The Richfield Village Council and the Richfield Township Trustees each appoint three Board Members to represent the two entities. These six Board Members then elect a seventh Board Member. Each Board member serves a three-year term.
The mission of the RJRD is to safeguard, support and maintain the natural properties of Richfield while encouraging recreational and educational opportunities in our community.
The mission of the RJRD is to safeguard, support and maintain the natural properties of Richfield while encouraging recreational and educational opportunities in our community.