“It’s kind of like walking into yesterday.” – Samantha Ayres, Heritage Sylvania
Tucked away off Main Street in Sylvania is a collection of buildings that re-create the past and bring the region’s early history to life.
The Historical Village consists of several original and re-created buildings including the grand Cooke-Kuhlman House, which now serves as the Heritage Center Museum. The home was one of Sylvania’s finest in the 1850’s and also served as the office for Dr. Uriah Cooke.
“The idea here is we don’t want it to feel like a stuffy museum,” suggested Heritage Sylvania’s Executive Director, Samantha Ayres. “We want it to feel like you are immersing yourself and stepped back in time.” The museum includes artifacts and archives with staff available to answer questions.
A few steps away from the house at 5717 Main Street in Sylvania are buildings that include a 1924 train caboose, Sylvania’s original railroad depot building, a log cabin, a replica 1800’s barn, a one-room stone schoolhouse, a train car barn and a 1915 Toledo and Western train engine. The Historical Village campus has plenty of parking and there is no admission charge.
Heritage Sylvania was formed as the result of three organizations that merged to preserve the past. “My vision is to bring in community. We get a lot of students who come in. My vision is to make this a little more appealing to all,” said Ayres. “Even if you don’t like history, we want to make sure there’s something fun for everybody.”
Perhaps the best-known artifact that is part of Heritage Sylvania is The Lathrop House, which is Northwest Ohio’s only Underground Railroad site open to the public. David Harroun used a false bottom wagon to transport escaping slaves from Maumee to his barn near the current Flower Hospital site. From there, the slaves would travel along a ravine to the Lathrop House and access a hidden staircase to a secret room. Of course, Lucian Lathrop’s efforts to help escaped slaves was illegal so secrecy was vital.
Following a legal disagreement, an agreement was reached to move the house to Harroun Park. Ayres stated a goal to renovate the entire space, noting that the first and second floor need improvements. But visitors can see the basement and displays that include a map of the Underground Railroad in Ohio and other displays. The house is open to the public most Sunday afternoons through mid-November.
“I would love to see it in its former glory.”
For additional information: https://heritagesylvania.org/
