The Depot Restoration ProjectJune 2024 Depot News: Board votes to hire CFH Contracting for site upgrades & exterior renovationAt its May 2024 meeting, the LAHS Board of Directors accepted a bid from CFH Contracting of Bainbridge, Ohio, to complete the site upgrades and exterior renovation we've been raising funds for over the last six years. While we have yet to work out the details, we can assure you that you will see big changes at the depot over the next few months. Watch this page for more news and photos of our progress.
November 2023 Depot News: Campaign for $50,000 complete
As we set out into 2023, the Board of Directors knew we'd need to do a lot of things right to reach our fundraising goal and secure our $100,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission before the funding cutoff of June 2024. We did our best to get the word out and grow our Cookout & Heritage Breakfast events. Several new volunteers jumped on board to help with these events - a good thing because the turnout was beyond our expectations!
We're delighted to report that the current and former citizens of Leesburg, and even some supporters who have never lived here, have stepped up to support this campaign. As of the weekend of the Heritage Breakfast, we've reached our goal! We could not be more thankful or excited. This month we're meeting with our architect, Doug Karnes of McCarty Associates, to fine tune the scope of work and complete the grant paperwork. Check back on this page or subscribe to our newsletter for project updates. How fitting that the depot will be looking as good as it ever did in time to celebrate its 125th birthday! September 2022 Depot News: Roof Replacement
Early September brought lots of activity to our depot. Our local chapter of the Modern Woodmen of America, a nonprofit financial organization, boosted our picnic fundraiser by making good on their pledge to match $2500 in contributions. Pictured below are Bev and Dan Mayo sharing the big check with LAHS President Raymond Friend.
Proceeds from the picnic and South Central Power Company Foundation Grant (see article below) were used to cover the cost of installing the depot's new roof. Construction costs were kept in check by volunteers from Lawhon Associates and The Barn & Cabin Friend, who came out the week before and met the grimy, grueling challenge of peeling off the old shingles and reinforcing the roof trusses. Thanks to all involved for making this fantastic new roof possible!
June 2022 Depot News:
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We're thrilled to announce that the South Central Power Company Foundation has awarded us a grant in the amount of $10,000 to help replace the roof of the depot. Along with an anonymous donation, this will help keep the building from deteriorating any further while we complete the rest of our fundraising. We are now in search of roofing contractors who would like to be involved with our project and receive some publicity for their efforts. We are looking to add a standing seam metal roof this summer or fall.
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September 2021 Depot News:
Huhtamaki Donates $1000
We are pleased to report to you a generous donation from Huhtamaki of New Vienna! They recently donated $1000 to the depot project. Pictured at the presentation of the check are Michael Wadsworth, Head of Plastics Operations; Julie Ivey, HR Manager; Jessica Maxwell, HR Assistant; John Noftsger, LAHS Treasurer; Raymond Friend, LAHS VP; Judy Mason, LAHS Membership Chair; Nicole Friend, LAHS Publicity Chair; and Kenny Worley, LAHS President.
If you are a Huhtamaki employee, please thank your administrative team for investing in our community!
If you are a Huhtamaki employee, please thank your administrative team for investing in our community!
August 2021 Depot News:
Merchants National Bank Donates $1000
We are honored to announce a $1000 donation from Merchants National Bank, which was presented on July 14 at the depot.
According to Denise Fauber, the Vice President of Branch Administration and Human Resources, “a goal of Merchants National Bank is to invest in our communities. The Leesburg Area Historical Society allowed us to do just that by envisioning the rich tradition, importance, and legacy of the Depot. We are honored to support the Society with this project and are excited to see the Depot come back to life.”
Pictured above, at the presentation of the check (left to right), are: Beth Roehm, Commercial/Ag Loan Officer; Chad Hamilton, Residential Loan Officer; Ryan Corzatt, Commercial/Ag Loan Officer; Blain Bergstrom, Regional Loan Manager; Kenny Worley, LAHS President; Ashley Taylor, Customer Service Representative; Denise Fauber, Vice President, Branch Administration and Human Resources; and Nicole Friend, LAHS Fundraising Chair.
If you bank with Merchants National Bank, be sure to thank them for their support!
According to Denise Fauber, the Vice President of Branch Administration and Human Resources, “a goal of Merchants National Bank is to invest in our communities. The Leesburg Area Historical Society allowed us to do just that by envisioning the rich tradition, importance, and legacy of the Depot. We are honored to support the Society with this project and are excited to see the Depot come back to life.”
Pictured above, at the presentation of the check (left to right), are: Beth Roehm, Commercial/Ag Loan Officer; Chad Hamilton, Residential Loan Officer; Ryan Corzatt, Commercial/Ag Loan Officer; Blain Bergstrom, Regional Loan Manager; Kenny Worley, LAHS President; Ashley Taylor, Customer Service Representative; Denise Fauber, Vice President, Branch Administration and Human Resources; and Nicole Friend, LAHS Fundraising Chair.
If you bank with Merchants National Bank, be sure to thank them for their support!
October 2019 Depot News:
$12,000 gift from the Valero Energy Foundation
2018 Depot News:
We made an organization. We bought a depot. Now what?
For many years now, local citizens have had a vision to restore our train depot to prime condition. The depot once was the hub of the community and the LAHS believes that it can be again. The people who are connected to the depot, and the building itself, have many stories to tell that will celebrate our remarkable past, surprise our youth, and attract visitors to our town.
With the June 2019 purchase of the depot from CSX, the LAHS is ready to move forward with that vision. Will you join with us? There are several ways to be part of the effort, either as an individual, a business, or an organization.
With the June 2019 purchase of the depot from CSX, the LAHS is ready to move forward with that vision. Will you join with us? There are several ways to be part of the effort, either as an individual, a business, or an organization.
- Monetary donations. We need to raise $50,000 to activate the $100,000 in funding pledged by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Individual and corporate contributions are greatly appreciated.
- In-kind donations. We welcome contributions of professional services and materials by donation or at cost. And we'll gladly promote your business to the community!
- Volunteer time. Join our Publicity & Fundraising committee, Depot Restoration committee, or History committee. Regardless of your age or experience with any of these things, your involvement will help. None of us are experts. We're all learning & working together.
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Highland County Historical Society
Vicki Knauff, Director Sue Honeycutt, Board Member Greenfield Historical Society Wendy Royse & Jay Hardy Co-Presidents Susan Thompson, Vice President Sharon Greene, Secretary Judy Schmidt, Treasurer Stuart McNeil, Assistant Treasurer McCarty Associates, LLC Tom Purtell & Doug Karnes Grow! Highland County Tracy Evans OSU South Centers Business Development Network Melissa Carter Railroad Tools & Solutions, LLC Leesburg Friends Church Leesburg Library Employees E.P. Ferris & Associates Jim Henry MS Business Services, LLC Morgan Sheppard Cookout Donations Batter Up Bakery Bridgewater Creek Farms Community Market of Greenfield Community Market of Hillsboro Country Corner Market Family Farm & Home First Stop Flagway 15 (Marathon) Highland County Historical Society KFC of Hillsboro McDonald's of Hillsboro Maplecrest Meats & More Save A Lot of Greenfield Save A Lot of Hillsboro Subway of Greenfield Southern Hills Community Bank Wendy's of Hillsboro |
Bickle Insurance
Kimberly LaVoie, Agent Valero Energy Foundation Candace Horton, Bloomingburg Plant Office Coordinator Zach Beversdorf, Bloomingburg Plant Manager Sterley Lightner, Bloomingburg Plant Process Operator & local advocate Huhtamaki Michael Wadsworth, Head of Plastics Operations Julie Ivey, HR Manager Jessica Maxwell, HR Assistant Merchants National Bank Hillsboro and Greenfield Branches Denise Fauber, VP of Branch Administration & Human Resources Tom E. Dailey Foundation, Inc. Smith & Quance Peter Quance South Central Power Foundation Operation Round Up Grant Southern Hills Community Bank Jeff Cloud Southern Ohio Appraisers, LLC Mary Beth Hodson The Barn & Cabin Friend, LLC Raymond Friend Breakfast Donations Hattan Farms Huhtamaki Small Town Junk Southern Hills Community Bank |