Photo courtesy of Jim Hoffman
The West Liberty Historical Society Town Hall Committee has the goal of restoring the historical Town Hall Opera House, the second story of the Town Hall, to a unique intimate and modern space that will attract a wide variety of events. The Opera House can once again be a focal point for the community. This area was originally opened in 1869 and hosted many events till sometime in the late 1950’s. The Town Hall is owned jointly by the Village of West Liberty and Liberty Township of Logan County. The Project is being completed in three phases. Phase I and Phase II are complete; we have started Phase III.
West Liberty is located on US Route 68 north of Springfield and Urbana, south of Bellefontaine and is approximately 45 miles north-west of the Columbus area. West Liberty attracts visitors from this region and beyond. West Liberty is the home of the Ohio Caverns, “America’s most colorful Cavern”, the historic Piatt Castle’s - Mac-O-Chee and Mac-O-Cheek, Marie’s Candies, - a three generation homemade candy business located in the restored West Liberty train depot. West Liberty offers a wealth of year-round pleasures for visitors, including Street Markets on Friday nights throughout the summer, art and gift boutiques, antique shops, sporting goods, consignment shops, local farm markets, a hometown grocery with fresh cut meats and homemade deli selections. Zip lining, downhill skiing, snow tubing, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, tubing, and fishing in one of Ohio's few freshwater trout streams, are located just minutes away. . The West Liberty Business Association would be interested in having movies in the Opera House; and they have supported the Restoration Project for the last two years with proceeds from their Tour of Homes. The West Liberty Town Hall Opera House can be a hub for community gatherings events and a draw for visitors to the Village.
The W.L. Historical Society has a lease agreement with the Liberty Township and the Village of W.L. to renovate and operate the Opera House. The Village will pay utility costs and insurance for the building. We expect to have a venue that will accommodate rental income from meetings, lectures, weddings and receptions and ticket sales of theater productions, musical events, comedy and magic shows. The Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Humanities Council have subsidies for performers for which we would apply to offset event expenses. We expect to have at least one community play per year, a music/arts series with four events, and fund raising events such as a Victorian Christmas play and dessert. At this time we have no paid members. If a volunteer is not found, a part time person to schedule and promote programming will need to be considered. At the completion of this project, there will be no outstanding debt for the Town Hall restoration project. A strong partnership with the W.L. Village, Liberty Township, and the W.L. Historical society will promote fiscal sustainability for the future.
The West Liberty Town Hall Restoration Comm has raised over $260,000.00 in renovation funds for Phase I and II, plus $60,000.00 for the additional building. We have received a $15,000.00 grant from the Columbus Foundation/Mary Eleanor Morris Fund, a $30,000.00 donation from a local business and $25,000.00 from the local Savings and Loan. 73% of the donations are under $1000.00; we have public support and interest. Additional work done by the township and village for $95,000.00 has secured the building for future generations. We are requesting $300,000.00 from the Capital Investment program. This grant would install an elevator and the stairways, and renovate the entry and ticket booth area, with all being ADA compliant. Additional work would include electric and HVAC systems and plaster repair. This work would be completed by June 2017.
Joyce Woodruff, Treasurer
937-465-2367
- Phase I included a new roof paid for by the Village of West Liberty. ($47,000.00) Donations were solicited and received from present and past citizens of the community for needed tuck pointing, new historically correct windows and restoration of the bell tower for a total of $69,606.08 The labor to install the windows was donated by a local craftsman.
- Phase II involved finding a new location for a fire truck. This was accomplished by purchasing a nearby building ($60,000.00). The remainder of this phase was the remodeling of the first floor to accommodate the office of the Village Clerk, Liberty Township meeting space, W.L. Village council meeting space, new public restrooms and landscaping. All areas are ADA accessible. The total for this work is $190,520.67 paid for by contributions from current and past community members, small businesses and two small grants. Also included in Phase II is a new HVAC system paid for by the Liberty Township Trustees ($30,000.00) and exterior brick work paid for by the Village of West Liberty ($18,000.00).
- Phase III – the final renovation phase. We have removed insulation in the original stairway area and the plaster has been evaluated to determine no asbestos exists. We are currently working with our General contractor, Dave Link of the Link Construction Group, to formulate a design plan and cost projection. A new front entrance will be in place, the old stairs leading to the second floor will be replicated and an elevator will be added so that all may have access. There will be good lighting and sound systems, the fresco painting and stencils restored, and at least some of the original seats installed. Our estimate to complete Phase III is $500,000.00.
West Liberty is located on US Route 68 north of Springfield and Urbana, south of Bellefontaine and is approximately 45 miles north-west of the Columbus area. West Liberty attracts visitors from this region and beyond. West Liberty is the home of the Ohio Caverns, “America’s most colorful Cavern”, the historic Piatt Castle’s - Mac-O-Chee and Mac-O-Cheek, Marie’s Candies, - a three generation homemade candy business located in the restored West Liberty train depot. West Liberty offers a wealth of year-round pleasures for visitors, including Street Markets on Friday nights throughout the summer, art and gift boutiques, antique shops, sporting goods, consignment shops, local farm markets, a hometown grocery with fresh cut meats and homemade deli selections. Zip lining, downhill skiing, snow tubing, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, tubing, and fishing in one of Ohio's few freshwater trout streams, are located just minutes away. . The West Liberty Business Association would be interested in having movies in the Opera House; and they have supported the Restoration Project for the last two years with proceeds from their Tour of Homes. The West Liberty Town Hall Opera House can be a hub for community gatherings events and a draw for visitors to the Village.
The W.L. Historical Society has a lease agreement with the Liberty Township and the Village of W.L. to renovate and operate the Opera House. The Village will pay utility costs and insurance for the building. We expect to have a venue that will accommodate rental income from meetings, lectures, weddings and receptions and ticket sales of theater productions, musical events, comedy and magic shows. The Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Humanities Council have subsidies for performers for which we would apply to offset event expenses. We expect to have at least one community play per year, a music/arts series with four events, and fund raising events such as a Victorian Christmas play and dessert. At this time we have no paid members. If a volunteer is not found, a part time person to schedule and promote programming will need to be considered. At the completion of this project, there will be no outstanding debt for the Town Hall restoration project. A strong partnership with the W.L. Village, Liberty Township, and the W.L. Historical society will promote fiscal sustainability for the future.
The West Liberty Town Hall Restoration Comm has raised over $260,000.00 in renovation funds for Phase I and II, plus $60,000.00 for the additional building. We have received a $15,000.00 grant from the Columbus Foundation/Mary Eleanor Morris Fund, a $30,000.00 donation from a local business and $25,000.00 from the local Savings and Loan. 73% of the donations are under $1000.00; we have public support and interest. Additional work done by the township and village for $95,000.00 has secured the building for future generations. We are requesting $300,000.00 from the Capital Investment program. This grant would install an elevator and the stairways, and renovate the entry and ticket booth area, with all being ADA compliant. Additional work would include electric and HVAC systems and plaster repair. This work would be completed by June 2017.
Joyce Woodruff, Treasurer
937-465-2367
