Newsletter June and July 2006 New Albany-Plain Township Historical Society P.O. Box 219 New Albany, Ohio 43054 (614) 855-9861 www.napths.com DATES TO REMEMBER THURS. JUNE 1 -- Society Meeting at the Library. Program: Vernon Pack, slide program on southeast Ohio. Hosts: Helen and Edwin Holter SATS. JUNE 3 & JUNE 17 -- Market Days THURS. JUNE 22 -- 7 p.m., Board Meeting SAT. JULY 1 -- Market Day TUES. JULY 4 -- 11 a.m. Parade. 7 p.m., evening festivities. 9:30 -- fireworks. We hope the Ealy House will be open in the afternoon. Watch local papers for details. THURS. JULY 6 -- 6 p.m. Pot-luck picnic at Savesons' barn, 8370 CLouse Rd. Bring a dish of your choosing plus table service. Call Marty at 855-9809 for more information. SAT. JULY 15 -- Market Day TUES. JULY 18 -- Newsletter deadline. THURS. JULY 27 -- 7 p.m., Board Meeting. THURS. AUG 3 - 7 p.m., Society Meeting. SAT. AUG. 26-- GOLF OUTING AT ECHO SPRINGS The ROSE TAYLOR DRYER HOUSE, 7569 E. Walnut St., is open on an irregular basis for both indoor and outdoor work. Call Liz Feichter at 855-1715 for particulars. For information about the EALY HOUSE, 6359 Duhlin-Granville Rd., or about the Society in general, call Kim Cathell at 939-0089. OUR UPCOMING MEETING The next Society meeting will be at 7 p.m on Thursday, June 1, at the New Albany Library. Our program will be a slide talk by Vernon Pack. In past meetings we have heard his presentations on northeastern and northwestern Ohio, and now we will be treated to pictures and anecdotes and history about southeastern Ohio. Vernon's first public school teaching assignment was in Gahanna, where his specialty was Ohio history. He was a colleague, incidentally, of Naomi Fodor and Helen Holter's mother. He has been historian & archivist for the Westerville American Legion Post #171 for the past 54 years, editor of the Rotary Club weekly newsletter for many years, and past president and long-time newsletter editor of the Westerville Historical Society. He has had 75 stories and 4 mini-books published. For our Society, he has been a long-time friend. Feel free to invite guests to this special program. ANNUAL POT-LUCK PICNIC Our annual pot-luck picnic will be held in the Savesons' barn on Thursday, July 6, at 6:00 p.m. Bring a dish to share plus your table service (but we will have extras). Iced tea, water, and coffee will be provided. Guests are very welcome. OUR AUGUST GOLF OUTING Our golf outing this year will take place on Saturday, August 26, at Echo Springs Golf Links, outside of Johnstown, the same venue as before. Sharon Carter and Liz Feichter have generously offered their time to co-chair the project, with the understanding that they be given a lot of support. Already a number of others are offering to be on the committee. Already we have donors coming forward. We depend upon the income from this annual fund-raiser to pay our bills. Please follow the lead of the following people and become a donor yourself -- or find a donor for us -- or both. Steve & Valerie Bevelhymer Helen Pestel Dave & Sharon Carter John & Marilyn Saveson Kim and Dwayne Cathell Robert & Betty Ann Underwood Bob & Ileane Dickendesher Cecil & Arioia Walton Jim & Naomi Fodor 2 A CHALLENGING SPRING I hope that everyone has been reading their newsletters and has heard my message. We need your help and we need it now. We are getting ready to leave the Kern Harrington house and move things into the Dryer House. We will also be having work days at the Dryer house to make some improvements. We are also getting ready to roll up our sleeves and get really busy in the Ealy house. We will be taking down wallpaper and painting. We will be moving into the new museum. We will also be making a float for the July 4th celebration. We have a number of Market Days that we will be participating in during the summer. Please pick out the activities that interest you and get involved. Those few people that are there every time are getting really tired and could use your help. I hope that those of you that joined the tour of the Ealy house were surprised to see all that has been completed. We are nearing the completion date of the contracted work. That is when we really need to enlist the help of members and non-members to get the job done. The community has heard the rumor of a possible July 4th opening and really would like to see that happen. That would also be a great opportunity for the society. There is a gap in the day's events, a gap that our opening could fill wonderfully. What better time to open a local museum than in the midst of a local celebration based on history. I would also like to say that it has been good to see Jim Fodor out and about on occasion. He has been seen around society happenings, and it is good to see him there again. Ileane is home recuperating, she is getting stronger and I detected a note of old self on my last visit. Hopefully, we will see her out and about in the weeks to come. We really miss those members when they aren't around. They contribute a tremendous amount of time and energy. I hope that everyone is enjoying their spring, even the recent rainy spell. If you are like we are, you are dodging rain to try and get a garden planted. I am really trying to get my daughter, Kristen's graduation party in order. I am also trying to secretly get my other daughter home to surprise her sister for graduation. We have had our babies at the farm and are proud of our new colt and filly. We are working out there every day trying to get the improvements completed. --Kim Cathell 3 OLD NEW ALBANY FAMILIES FOR A NEW COOK BOOK There is a lively cooking group in New Albany called "Cooking with Friends" which is about to publish a cook book. In addition to providing recipes, the book will include all sorts of useful information about our area. Our Society, and our resident local historian in particular, was asked for some material on the history of New Albany, especially on some of the old families whose names have been used for the streets in New Albany. Here are the two pieces John wrote for the book. He thought it only fair that our Society have a chance to read them first. A BRIEF HISTORY OF NEW ALBANY, FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO The history of the town of New Albany began in 1837 when William Yantis and Noble Landon laid out seventy-two lots on land which Yantis owned on the west side of the "High Street" and Landon owned on the east side. The configuration of fifty-by-one-hundred- foot lots is discernible still in the old town center. The founders established the town where roads intersected, connecting early population centers: Granville, Worthington, Johnstown, Delaware. On the southeast corner of the intersection of presentday Main and High Streets, Landon had built a hotel and tavern, probably in 1835, the year in which he first obtained a liquor license. The town experienced steady growth. Store owners, professional men, and craftsmen bought up Landon's and Yantis's lots: doctors, carpenters, a lawyer, a dressmaker, a wagon maker, and others. New Albany was incorporated in 1856. Through much of the rest of the nineteenth century, it was the flourishing center of a farming community. A columnist for the Public Opinion in Westerville in 1883 reported the town's population as three hundred and fifty inhabitants. He described New Albany as a "pleasant village inhabited by a pleasant people." In the early twentieth century, forces such as the disappearance of the small family farm and improved transportation, which made it easy for residents to shop farther out, caused New Albany to decline. In the 1980's the New Albany Company reversed that trend by beginning to transform the area with Georgian architecture and town planning embodying such concepts as a strong town center and pedestrian walkways. The question always arises: why is the town called "New Albany"? It seems clear enough that Noble Landon gave the town that name in memory of Albany, New York, the most important city in a several-state area in which Noble and other Landon relatives were on the move before settling in Ohio. Noble's brother William was the proprietor of the "Congress Hall" in Albany, New York, at the same time Noble was building a hotel of his own in soon-to-be New Albany, Ohio. --John F. Saveson OLD FAMILIES IN PLAIN TOWNSHIP A scattering of family names used as street names or visible in other ways preserves the memory of some of the earliest settlers in Plain Township. Permanent settlement began soon after John Huffman in 1802 bought the entire southwest quarter of the Township (4000 acres) from Dudley Woodbridge for 4000 gallons of whiskey. A group of closely related German farm families, Hoffmans, Baughmans, Swickards, and Dagues, soon moved here from western Pennsylvania, some of them suspect in the "Whiskey Rebellion" in Pennsylvania in the 1790's. Hoffman's daughter Priscilla was married to Adam Baughman. A New Albany sreet bears the Baughman name; "Swickard Woods" preserves another. Woodbridge had "bought" the southwest quarter with warrants he acquired from Revolutionary War veterans. All of Plain Township at that time was reserved for veterans in a "Military District." After 1812, the Federal Government opened land in the northern half of the Township for sale to all corners. The move caused "great excitement" in the East. A large contingent of Smith family members from New Jersey settled on the east side of the Township beginning in 1813. Archibald Smith, self-taught carpenter, engineer, and surveyor, operated a saw-mill on Blacklick Creek from the 1830's to the 1850's. His efforts are commemorated in "Smith's Mill Road." Closely related Clouses and Kitzmillers from western Maryland (street signs bear their names) settled in next to the Smiths at the same time. The 1820's introduced Bevelhymers, Dorans, Ranneys, Goodriches, and closely related Taylors and Trumbos. Pike Taylor wrote that his mother, "among the best of old women," carried him as a baby "from the headwaters of the Potomac in Virginia in her lap on horseback." Street signs and a historical marker commemorate the laying out of New Albany by Noble Landon and William Yantis in the 1830's. In that decade also, the related Ealy and Neiswander families immigrated from western Pennsylvania. George Ealy of the second generation built in about 1860 the Ealy House on Dublin-Granville Road which the Historical Society is in the process of restoring. --John E. Saveson PRE-MEETING TOUR OF EALY HOUSE On Thursday, May 4, just before our monthly Society meeting, we had an opportunity to walk through the Ealy House to observe the progress that has been made in the restoration. Charlie Troyer, of Durable Slate, was on hand to explain things. He reported that most of the structural, mechanical, & electrical work is done, leaving indoor work on floors & walls yet to be finished. For technical details, see the articles in our local papers of May 10 and 11. Thanks to Lori Wince and Scott Takac for writing fine articles and putting eye-catching photos of the Ealy House on their respective front pages. (Scott mantioned the Historical Society again in the May 17th issue of New Albany News in his article on Founders Day.) HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD MEErING OF MARCH 23 Members present: Kim Cathell, Helen Pestel, Sharon Carter, David dine, Marty Saveson. ‘5 report -- Board voted to keep C.D. interest of $117.00 in current funds. The $600 from recent memorial gifts will be added to the C.D. when it rolls over. Kim will speak to Craig Mohre about the Township’s and the Village’s promises of mney to be matched in the Ealy House Community Foundation fund. Curator position: Kim suggested we bridge tzhe gap during the move by assigning one person to be responsible for planning and arranging furnishings in each of the Ealy House rooms. (See “Ealy House Suggestions” on page 8.) ——M. Saveson 6 NEW ALBANY-PLAIN TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY MINUTES OF THE APRIL 6,2006 MEETING The April meeting of the NA-PT Historical Society was held at the New Albany Library. President, Kim Cathell, called the meeting to order. Secretary, Liz Feichter, read the minutes. Sharon Carter made a motion to accept the minutes as read; David Cline seconded the motion and it was approved. Helen Pestel, Treasurer, gave the treasurer’s report. John Saveson questioned the matching funds from NACO and wondered why they weren’t paid as of this date. The amount of matching funds would be around $22,000. Helen said she would question Craig Mohre of the Community Foundation. Marty Saveson moved that we accept the report, Cathy Yager seconded the motion and it was approved. Marty Saveson attended the Community Service Board meeting on April 4~h which dealt with the Spring Fest held on April 8th• ~ was a nice day and the outing was successful. The board plans to hold this event yearly. The next event will be July 4th The Founders’ Day Commission met on March 25th at the firehouse. Sharon Carter is the Society’s representative and she reported there would be an a ca~pella choir, 250 gas-filled balloons, the same parade route but it will start at 11:30. nd The& ~xt meeting is April 22 The Society will set up the tent the night before. Displays for the gym can be done the night before and the gym will be locked. The fire department is requiring exhibitors to have an inspected fire extinguisher. Tables for the gym will be furnished but we are not sure if there will be enough. Sharon Carter said she could provide a few more if necessary. Marty Saveson introduced two visitors: Bob Mowery and Joanne Adams. There was no further news on the bid for the roo~ for the Dryer House. Liz Feichter said she would contact Duane Glass, again. 7 Craig Mohrc presented a program on the new Cultural Arts Center. He had a cutaway model and answered questions regarding the use of the center. Kathy Yager and Theresa Kempker furnished refreshments. --Liz Feichter, Secretary ~iIGHLIGHTS OF THE BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 27 Present: Kim Cathell, Helen Pestel, Steve Bevelhymer, Liz Feichter, Marty Saveson, David dine, Jim Fodor, Robert Dean We received a bid from Duane Glass of Capital Roofing for the Dryer House roof. Robert Dean presented the bid and we discussed it and agreed to present it to the Society at the May 4th general meeting. Sharon Carter has volunteered to be the Golf Outing chairperson. There will be a list of golf outing donors printed in the newsletter. We will use the old computer for genealogy and local history, while using the new one for the catalogue. EALY HOUSE SUGGESTIONS MAIN FlOOR: SECOND FLOOR: BASENENT: Kitchen in southeast corner (where it always was) Dining room in northeast corner (where it always was) Parlor in northwest corner (with the fancier woodwork) Music room in southwest corner Library in one room (perhaps southeast) Sewing & toys in one room (perhaps southwest) Doctor’s office in one room (perhaps northwest) Period bedroom (perhaps northeast) Reception area & meeting space in big southeast room with outside door & large fireplace Restroom in small southwest corner room Mechanicals for house & some display shelves northwest room at the foot of the stairs Small northeast room for crafts? storage? in the big The Board would like members of the whole Society to consider the above suggestions, which are suggestions only, and let us know what you think about the uses for the rooms. 8 MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY MEETING OF MAY 4 Kim Cathell, President, called the meeting to order. Liz Feichter, Secretary, read the minutes. Sharon Carter moved that the minutes be accepted, Marty Saveson seconded, motion carried. Helen Pestd read the treasurer’s report. David Cline moved the report be accepted, John Saveson seconded and the motion carried. The Fourth of July was discussed. The parade will be in the morning. Music and food will be available at 7 PM and fireworks display will start at 9:30 PM. We will open the F~y House in the afternoon. The Dryer House roof bid was discussed and several suggestions and changes were made. We will furnish the gutter; the roofer is to use the wood we have available. The bid is available if anyone wishes to see it. The Dryer House committee will meet Monday, May 8 q9:30 AM at the RTD house. John Saveson vAil continue to apply for grants through the “Preserve Our History Program. The E’a.~House needs to be on the National Register to qualify for grants. th Founders’ Day is May 20 and there were sign up sheets for the bake sale, and volunteers. The float will have a birthday cake on it. Donations of pop, water, and ice were requested. We will set up on Friday night after 7PM. Margie Pestel will be asked to help with the phone committee. Rudy has a trailer he will donate to the Society. Nancy Ferguson informed us of fundraisers at the Wexner Party Barn. One of the fundraisers is a Monte Carlo night. The Society passed a motion not to participate. Sharon Carter is chairing the gold outing, Liz Feichter will co-chair. Betty Maynard and Jim Fodor will serve on the committee. Keith Wilson will recruit golfers and Marty Saveson will handle publicity. Kim Cathell will prepare brochures. The meeting was adjourned. Refreshments were furnished by Kim Cathell and Marlene Thomas. Respectfully submifted by Liz Feichter, Secretary. 9 FOUNDERS DAY l~ BIG SUCCESS Sattirday, May 20, was the first sunny day in about two weeks--a good omen. A huge crowd gathered to enjoy the parade, in which our Society float dramatically featured a giant birthday cake (created by Kim Cathell, Sharon Carter, & Wayne Barts), pulled by a tractor driven by Steve Bevelhymer. Thanks to all your baked goods, our Society’s Bake Sale was a popular spot, presided over by Marlene Thomas with the help of Peggy Crosier, Theresa Kempker, Henry Kempker, and Kathy Yager. Nearby was Betty Maynard, in charge of our raffle items. Out on the street and in the hallways was Taylor Cathell, hawking our 50/50 tickets. Indoors, our Society had filled the elementary school gym with displays: the Heritage Quilt, a Saveson-Clouse quilt display, some of Marilyn Regrut’s antique buttons, Liz Feichter’s Depression glass, a fascinating blacksmith tool display arranged by David Cline, Marty Saveson’ s braided rugs, some antique toys from our Museum, & a lot of vintage photographs. Among the helpers were Dolores Bulderbergs, Sally Hess, Catherine Saveson, Joann Wind be, Naomi Fodor, Kim Cathell, David Cline, Dorothy Etheridqe, and Lillian Shannon. Lillian surprised us with the contribution of a just-finished stunning hand-made quilt, for the Society to zeli. Our Society also sponsored the annual Ethel Schleppi Art Show. Local painters Carol Bilisits, Jerry Davidson, Joanne Adams, & Bob Mowery, and photographer Trisha Crites, exhibited their varied and admirable works, and home-school art teacher Julie Hess showed the pictures done by her talented young students. What mDst visitors did not see was the putting up and taking down of tents, tables, & exhibits. Thanks to Steve Bevelhymer, Robert Dean, Mark Baranoski, John Saveson, David Cline, Dave Carter, Neil Kirby, & Rick Otten for helping before & after the fair. Thanks to the Elementary School for the use of its facilities, & to the Gahanna Congregational Church for lending 7 tables. The person who deserves the credit for coordinating our efforts is Sharon Carter. Thank you, Sharon. You kept us on track. And at the end of the day, besides the satisfaction of having done a good job, we also had made a tidy sum for our coffers: $250 from the bake sale, $124 from the raffles, $54 as our half of the 50/50, $23.50 from books & pamphlets, and $135 from the quilt silent auctions, for a grand total of $586.50. But the best part really was simply participating in a very enjoyable and worthw’hile event. —-M. Saveson 10 Treasurer’s Report — March/April, 2006 March/April Income Postage/Newsletter Donations House Donation 50/50 Membership Renewals (Joe & Jill Banicki & R. & J. Thomas) More memberships (Eileen Hull, Connie Folk, Wayne Barts) Memorials to Haning, Boesch & Parrill Repayment of Insurance by Founders Day Cookbook Reimbursement donation for Vector Security Insurance Checking Interest Total income March $ 5.25 5.25 40.00 500.00 2.21 $552.71 March/April Expenses AEP (K-H $39.73,$34.92; RTD 541.66,$24.46;EaIy$4.61,$6.38) $ 86.00 Columbia Gas of Ohio (K-H) 460.78 Amerigas (RTD) 742.73 SBC/AT&T (3 mouths) 45.47 Water & Sewer (K-H $24.20; Ealy $27.90) 52.10 Rumpke Ace Printing Vector Security Transfer of Memorial Funds to CD at Fifth Third Bank Post Office Box Rental New Albany Founders Day Total Expenses 878.00 26.00 20.00 $2,311.08 Recap — March Beginning Balance Income Expenses April Ending Balance Held for 2006 Golf Outing (proposed) Bond totals held for decision on use Memorials C/D Balance 12/31/04 3/31/06 Balance of endowment in Van Guard Funds Hold for Transfer to NACF Sustaining Fund Sustaining Fund at New Albany Comm. Found Ealy House Donations at NACF Ealy House balance at NACF 12/31/04 Ealy House four draws from NACF Helen Pestel, Treasurer 11 $24,170.95 1,225.29 2,896.44 $22,499.80 2,500.00 11,071.82 4,111.24 $17,017.08 300.00 5,250.00 ±20,100.00 11,000.00 +139.61 257,492.89 (excludes Sustaining & Donations above) -196,439.99 ±$36,180.00 process of being paid April 125.00 100.00 30.00 35.00 312.00 8.00 60.00 2.58 $672.58 65.76 293,00 22.45 44.70 54.60 104.85 $585.36 NEW ALBANY PLAIN TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY Box 219 New Albany, Ohio 43054 (E,rlurkd by A4JSELI4IS Acorn-Oak Leaf quilt made in 1858 by Elizabeth Haymaker Clouse at age 11. On the right, the Historical Society float with a birthday cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first Founders Day. k “Albany Plain Township Lust N N