Newton Falls – Heritage Accord today announced the receipt of a matching grant in the amount of $24,575.00 from the Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd. The Jeffris Family Foundation grant will be combined with an equal amount of funds on-hand at Heritage Accord to fully cover the cost of a critically required Historical Structure Report (HSR) of the Newton Falls Community Center.
This Historic Structural Report (HSR) will be prepared by specially qualified and experienced architects and engineers and is essential to the next phase of the restoration and renovation of the historic Newton Falls Community Center. This Community Center was originally dedicated over 80 years ago in January 1942 as a United Services Organization (U.S.O.) facility. The structure is located at 52 East Quarry Street in the City Park. The Newton Falls Community Center is owned by the Village of Newton Falls and leased to Heritage Accord.
Heritage Accord is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, incorporated and registered with the State of Ohio. The sole mission of Heritage Accord is to restore, renovate and preserve the Newton Falls Community Center such that it can be reopened and made available for public use. Reopening the Community Center to the public will not only honor its historic original use and its structural and architectural features as a historic U.S.O. building but will also allow it to become a prominent and attractive facility for special gatherings and education for the people of the Village of Newton Falls and surrounding areas.
This prominent structure is a nationally recognized landmark property and it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the renovations will be completed consistent with the U. S. Department of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for historic properties. Also, in 2017, the Newton Falls Community Center was recognized by both the Ohio Historical Society and the Trumbull County Historical Society for the historical significance of the structure.
The Jeffris Family Foundation was established in 1979 by Bruce and Eleanor Jeffris and their son, Tom. The mission of the Jeffris Family Foundation is to preserve the cultural history and heritage of the midwest through the preservation of regionally and nationally important historic buildings and decorative art projects. The Foundation expanded its focus to include Ohio in 2009.
Upon announcing the grant, Thomas M. Jeffris, President of the Jeffris Family Foundation stated “We are proud and excited to partner with Heritage Accord and the Newton Falls community to preserve and restore the Community Center, a historic U.S.O. This grant represents our commitment to preserving our past for future generations.”
Among the projects across the Midwest that the Jeffris Family Foundation previously presented grants are two Presidential homesteads and a significant structure in Newark, Ohio:
? Home of President Warren G. Harding, Marion, Ohio
? Grouseland, Home of President Willam Henry Harrison, Vincennes, Indiana
? The historic Home Building Association Bank, designed by notable architect Louis Sullivan, in Newark, Ohio
In making its matching grant to Heritage Accord, as well as for all its other projects, the Jeffris Family Foundation considered four primary criteria. Those criteria are the Historical Significance of the Site, the Proposed Project and Plan, the Project Location, and the Organizational Excellence of the sponsor.
The HSR may now soon be completed because of this generous grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation. The report will provide other critical benefits and uses to Heritage Accord which will support the overall success of the Community Center restoration project. Among other benefits and uses is that the HSR provides substantial information and detail on the renovations needed and general cost estimates of all restoration and renovation elements. This information thus becomes a “road map” to guide Heritage Accord in its fundraising and financial planning as well as project timing and discussions with contractors.
The General Methodology of the Historic Structures Report will consist of three parts. Part One is the “Developmental History and Significance”, Part Two is the “Treatment and Use -Treatment Philosophy ‘’ and Part Three is the “Record of Treatment”. Upon completion, the Historic Structure Report will be a dynamic document that may be amended as new additional information is discovered and work is undertaken. After requesting proposals from several extremely qualified Northeast Ohio firms, Heritage Accord has selected Perspectus Architecture to complete the Historic Structures Report. The Perspectus Architecture team will also include Sceeser Buckley Mayfield who will provide a mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection assessment of the complex. Also included are Engineering for Historic Structures which will provide the structural assessments of the facility and Regency Construction which will prepare all the material and construction cost estimates.
Upon receiving notice of the grant award from the Jeffris Family Foundation, the President of Heritage Accord, Connie Smith Talcott, remarked that “Due to the generosity of our community and local organizations, we do have the funds on hand which are necessary to meet the initial 50% match. Our Board looks forward with excitement to working on a continuing plan to raise all funds needed to complete this restoration. The restoration of the Community Center will be a source of pride for all of Newton Falls and one that embraces the entire community”.
Heritage Accord will soon be announcing the details for an exciting program event this Fall to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Dedication of this historic U.S.O. facility and Community Center. Before long, our website will be completed and will provide a source of further and timely information.
Donations for the project may be made to Heritage Accord, P.O. 82, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444.
