[ back ]
Historic Bissell House is called 'jewel of Bainbridge'
(by Joan Demirjian - April 22, 2011)
Historic Bissell House is called 'jewel of Bainbridge'
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Karl Kuckelheim, president of the Bainbridge Historical Society, said he sees the township's historic Bissell House as "a jewel of Bainbridge."
"Bainbridge has never had an icon or something symbolic of its town center and history," Mr. Kuckelheim said.
The house is a focal point of the new Heritage Park on Chillicothe Road (Route 306) at the town center. A pavilion and veterans memorial surround it.
The goal is to make the house functional so it can be used by the community, Mr. Kuckelheim told Bainbridge Township Trustees last week. He and architect Stephen Ciciretto reviewed progress on the building.
Once a private residence, it is owned by the township. It served as the township's first post office in the 1800s.
It is a centerpiece that should be showcased, Mr. Kuckelheim said. "Every community needs a hub or center."
As part of that focus, he said he wants to bring back "Bainbridge Home Days," celebrating the event at the Bissell House and in Heritage Park.
"We need an agreement with the trustees on how we will be engaged," he said of the role of the historical society with the house's restoration.
Restrooms were added by the township in a wing built on the west side of the house, after it was moved from its original site at the north end of Heritage Park. Separated from the house by a hallway, the restrooms will be open during functions at the park and for other community activities.
Once a two-family dwelling, the separated north side of the house is being considered for use by small groups, for board meetings and similar functions, Mr. Kuckelheim said. A small kitchenette would be renovated.
The south side of the house could be used for the historical society's museum, he said. The space measures about 32 by 24 feet.
Offices and archives could be provided on the second floor, Mr. Kuckelheim said. It would not be used by the public, so it does not have to be accessible to those with disabilities, according to Mr. Ciciretto.
Plank floors in the house will be restored, and some structural beams will be exposed, showing the historical construction.
In years to come, the house, remodeled in the 1950s and 1960s, could be restored to its historical roots, Mr. Kuckelheim. The old post office pigeon holes are being sought.
"Right now, we want to make it functional and efficient," Mr. Kuckelheim said. It will be a place where people can learn about Bainbridge, and it could be open when there are park functions, he said.
"This is going to be an attractive space," Bainbridge Trustee Matthew Lynch said. Some groups will want to be at the Bissell House, rather than the Burns Lindow Meeting Hall, he said. "People are going to want to have access to it."
A plan can be made to determine what could be done by volunteers, according to Mr. Lynch. "I predict that the park and Bissell House will be the hub of activity in Bainbridge Township."
Mr. Kuckelheim said the historical society can do some work, but other work would need to be done by contractors. "We need an agreement on how we are going to use the building," he said. "We want to make sure the historical society's use is long term."
[ back ]
