History of the Lakewood Historical Society

The Lakewood Historical Society has been in existence since 1952. The impetus for its formation was the fact that the old stone house at St. Charles and Detroit had to be moved or razed for the expansion of Babin Furs. This house was built in 1838, and the last of its type in Lakewood. Mr. Stephen Babin agreed to donate the stone house to be used as a museum if it could be moved by October 15, 1952. Margaret Manor Butler, a Lakewood resident, was very interested in the history of the community and historic preservation. She wrote The Lakewood Story, The Pictorial History of the Western Reserve, and Romance in Lakewood Streets. She also maintained a small history museum in a room at Lincoln School. It is through her efforts that the money was raised to move the stone house and arrange for a permanent site in Lakewood Park. The Oldest Stone House then became the headquarters for the newly formed historical society. Mrs. Butler continued her efforts to raise membership in the Society and support the Oldest Stone House restoration project. From an initial membership of 18 at the organizational meeting in July of 1952, the Lakewood Historical Society now has over 500 members.

The Lakewood Historical Society has continued to flourish and work within the community of Lakewood. The Oldest Stone House Museum is open to the public for guided tours on Wednesday, 1 to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. There is no charge to tour this 1838 home furnished in the typical style of a farm family in the 1830's -1860's. A Junior Women's Board of 35 women conduct the tours and offer many other educational services to the community, including Brownie Scout Doll Tea Parties, classroom reenactment of "pioneer school," special museum tours for community groups and schoolchildren, special displays in our schools and libraries, etc. Our Women's Board has a membershiip of over 100 and sponsors many successful fundraising projects, including their annual Christmas wreath sale. An active quilting group produces a quilt each year to be raffled, and spends many pleasant hours working on the project during the year. The Herb Society maintains an herb garden on site and has monthly meetings to promote knowledge of herb lore and uses.

The Lakewood Historical Society maintains a photo-file collection of over 8,000 slides and provides a variety of slide presentations for community groups based on this collection. Each summer, in conjunction with the Lakewood Recreation Department, an Ohio Heritage summer program for elementary school children is held. Children spend a week learning how chldren lived, worked, and played 150 years ago. Our library and collection of paper memorabilia provide information to people who make requests, and the public is welcome to attend our three general meetings each year where programs are presented on subjects related to history and historic preservation.

In April 1985 the Lakewood Historical Society purchased the Nicholson House, the oldest structure in Lakewood (1835), with the aid and support of the City of Lakewood. The home has been restored and is available for rental to the public and civic groups for meetings, luncheons, dinners, weddings, etc.

1992 Anniversary Article: 40 and Fabulous!!

Margaret Manor Butler opens the

door to Lakewood history

July 22 [1992] marks the 40th anniversary of the Lakewood Historical Society. It was 1952 when a group of interested citizens, under the direction of Margaret Manor Butler, met and unanimously agreed to draw up a charter establishing the Lakewood Historical Society.

The new organization had a vision to create a museum for the preservation of Lakewood's heritage and its task began immediately.

Working with Stephen Babin, donor of the structure, and the City Council, agreements were reached and the Stone House was moved from Detroit Avenue to Lakewood Park on November 12, 1952. The formal dedication of the museum occurred on April 25, 1953 as the final event of Lakewood's week-long Ohio Sesquicentennial celebration.

Since that time, the Society's accomplishments have been many:

January 1964 the Junior Women's Board was organized to provide hostesses for guided tours of the museum and to aid with children's programs.

June 1975 the museum was formally re-opened after a massive project to stabilize the structure, provide a basement, plumbing, climate control and restore the summer kitchen addition.

1975 a Quilt Group organized to promote an interest in quilting and to aid in fundraising.

April 1985 the Society purchased the Nicholson House, the oldest surviving structure in the city, to restore for community use.

April 1986 the Women's Board was organized to provide fundraising support for the Society.

January 1992 the Oldest Stone House Herb Society was organized to stimulate an interest in herbs and provide maintenance of the herb garden and grounds.

In addition to these milestones, the Society has served the community through tours of the museum, special displays for area schools and libraries, in-school talks taken to classrooms to illustrate early life in Lakewood, establishment of a library and archives to provide research information, a photo collection approaching 8,000 images, a series of slide presentations on Lakewood history, Ohio Heritage summer program for children, Doll Tea Parties illustrating the history of dolls using the Society's collection, occasional workshops and demonstrations, a quarterly newsletter and three general meetings a year with speakers on topics related to local history. The Society also participates in community events such as the Lakewood Home Improvement Show, Lakewood Antique Show and Lakewood Arts Festival.

As the Society enters its fourth decade, it will celebrate the completion of the Nicholson House restoration project with a formal grand opening almost 40 years to the day of its formal organization.

The Society has persevered in its mission. The support and volunteer efforts of its membership have been monumental. The Lakewood Historical Society is, indeed, Fabulous at 40!

Sandy Koozer, Curator
1992