December 2006
OCTAGON HOUSE FUTURE ASSURED
On December 16, 2006, Roundtown Conservancy, Inc.
wrote and passed a Resolution which will assure the future of The
Octagon and, we believe, will greatly benefit Circleville and
Pickaway County.
Working closely, since 2003, with Professional
Redevelopment Consultant Franklin Conaway, the Conservancy saved the
house from imminent demolition to make way for a Wal-Mart Super
Store, and had it moved across acres of farmland to where it now
stands on its new foundation.
The year it became endangered, this unique
eight-sided farmhouse captured the immediate interest of The
National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Circleville's
Roundtown Conservancy has benefited greatly from their interest ever
since. The Savings Band has also patiently supported the
Conservancy's efforts which are now coming to fruition.
Roundtown Conservancy is now being assisted by a
number of interested supporters which may include the American
Institute of Architects, the Columbus Landmark Foundation, the
Chillicothe Conservancy, Senator John Carey, Representative John
Schlichter, county and state organizations and, of course, the
National Trust. The list continues to grow, and this support will
begin to alleviate the enormous cast incurred by the Conservancy of
saving, protecting and maintaining this national treasure.
The house is to become The Octagon Center of the
Study of Architecture. It will be restored to its original pristine
condition and will become a major heritage and tourism destination
as well as an education center that will serve the entire region.
Since it was saved in 2004, we have had numerous questions from
local people as well as from people across the nation. Our Visitors'
Bureau reports visitors from other states stopping in to ask, "Don't
you have an octagonal house somewhere around here?"
The Conservancy continues to work closely with
Franklin Conaway. This dedicated group expects to see great things
for the house in the year 2007.
November 2006
"WE STAND CORRECTED!"
For those who had faith in our
promise to see that the Zeiger marker would finally be correct --
(and for those who didn't) -- you may now go to the corner of North
Scioto and West High Streets and take a look!
We collected our files and
photos and called Sewah in Marietta. They graciously backed their
promise to correct all errors made by them.
Lou McFarland's group once again
removed the marker and loaded it into Tom and Dorothy Cooper's van.
The Coopers waited overnight in Marietta to allow the paint to dry
so it could return to Circleville without further delay.
McFarland's men once again
replaced the marker -- now correct in every detail. Roundtown
Conservancy is proud (and relieved) to have seen this job through to
the end. Thank you, McFarland and crew; Tom and Dorothy; and thank
you Sewah!
REGARDING E-MAIL
Many
people seem to be changing their e-mail addresses. As we said
earlier, we lost 29 addresses. Research on these has been partially
successful. If you feel you have missed 2-3 Newsletters, let us
know; we'll forward them to you. Others: please, if you change your
e-mail address, notify us at redhouse@bright.net. There are some
very interesting new developments just around the corner and we
don't want to lose you at this exciting time.
DONATIONS OR MEMBERSHIPS MAY BE MAILED TO ROUNDTOWN
CONSERVANCY,
P. O. BOX 501, CIRCLEVILLE, OH 43113.
