Medina County Historical Society's new facility approved by boards in city of Medina

MEDINA — The Medina County Historical Society's project to build a new facility was approved by the city of Medina's Historic Preservation Board and Planning Commission on Thursday. Medina County Historical Society President Brian Feron said the new building will serve several purposes such as holding exhibits, seminars and other small gatherings. "It'll be a multiuse building for exhibits, displays with a full basement to house our archives and research area," he said. "We have a lot of materials that need a good, climate-controlled room. We have that at one of our museums, but we're out of space there." The building will be at the rear of the McDowell-Phillips House Museum at 205 S. Prospect St. in Medina. "It's built to resemble the barn that we had to take down from the McDowell property when we bought it," Feron said. "We're trying to keep that character of the historic home and its property, even though it's a new building." During Thursday's meeting, the historical society presented building drawings and site plan work. Feron said the facility is designed to be accessible to everyone. "Our current house museums are limited for people with mobility issues because of the stairs," he said. "This building will all be one level, easy to access in and out, so it's going to give us a lot more flexibility. Our guests ask us to consider how can we do more exhibits that they can get to and see." The historical society has been working on the concept for three to four years, Feron said. The project will cost more than $1 million. "We had a great deal of support from our community, foundations, individuals and membership," he said. "They all helped raise the funds. We could not start anything until we had the money set aside." The builder is finalizing costs right now, Feron said. The goal is to break ground as soon as possible. "I'm hoping by May, we might be able to get rolling on it," he said. "It's about an eight- to nine-month project, so we hope to have it enclosed and be able to start work in the interior by late fall." The historical society will then move a lot of its items to the basement and reorganize its collection of items that typically are not visible to the public, Feron said. "We thank everybody that contributed," he said. "We'll certainly have some ongoing events to celebrate the groundbreaking and so forth." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.