The Lathrop House: Sylvania, Ohio
The Lathrop House serves the city of Sylvania with historical value not often recognized. Just one act can change an entire historical feature, which happened the day St. Joseph Church bought the house and changed its location. Now, not only has the historical value decreased, but the emotional value has effected many citizens of Sylvania.
The third leg of the project involves the restoration of the interior first floor of the house. The purpose of Phase Three is to tell the daily lives of the Lathrop family by turning it back to its late 1840s appearance. Before and throughout the Phase Three restoration, Historical interpreters will provide assistance in an effort to insure a return, both in theme and in function, The Lathrop house back to its Historical roots. Later, and after the completion of Phase Three, plans are in place to commence Phase Four.
The Final Phase of The Lathrop House Restoration again shifts focus towards the restoration of the second floor, and any minute fixtures needed. When complete, Phase Four will tell the story of daily lives of all other occupants who lived in the Lathrop house other than the Lathrop Family, such as Marie Vogt. Hopefully, upon the completion of Phase Four, the Lathrop house will have a similar appearance to what it had in the 1840s-1850s.
Unfortunately, few details exist with respect to the renovation process. So, at this time, no one has any idea who actually will be running the bulldozers. All that is known as of Monday, September 17th is that the Friends of the Lathrop House, alongside the Metro Parks, take control over the renovation. Many volunteers have joined this project to help the Friends of the Lathrop House and the Metro Parks, as well, fund raisings have taken place. Nearly 1.2 million is the estimated cost for the renovation of the entire house, including the new basement. Only 400,000 dollars have been raised so far.
Yes on Issue 16 campaign took much of the blame for the movement of the Lathrop House. Many of the citizens thought that the phrase “yes” meant to save the house from being demolished, let alone moved. Unfortunately, the “yes” meant the exact opposite. This confusion led many of the citizens to vote for Yes on Issue 16, and as a result, led to the movement of the Lathrop House.
With much work and dedication ahead, the main goal in sight is to maintain the integrity of the Lathrop house, regardless of its new location. The Friends of the Lathrop House, followed by many Sylvania citizens, say to St. Joseph Catholic Church, “You may have won the battle, but you lost the war. The history of this house will continue to be written. There’s more to come.”
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