Today is Oct. 19, 2023.

• So is everyone enjoying those fall colors? We’re smack dab in the middle of the peak this week — with some “winter’s around the corner” temperatures right on its heels. It’s going to be cloudy today with a passing shower in the afternoon, with a high of 64 and low of 53. Then temps will steadily drop from there over the weekend, bottoming out with lows of 34 degrees Sunday and Monday. Jack Frost is starting to nip.
  

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• Several stories in this issue are only available to premium subscribers: an update on Miller’s Landing, the closure of a children’s amusement center in Stow, Halloween activities, four obituaries, two library vacancies, brush dropoff info, recycling events and more local news. Full access is $2.99/month.

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Stow

Wait and see: It’s too early to tell if the Heritage House can be saved after fire

That fire that broke out at the historic Heritage House in Silver Springs Park early on the morning of Oct. 15 was extinguished by the Stow Fire Department in time to prevent the structure from burning to the ground. But whether the heavily damaged building — originally constructed in 1849 — will still have to be razed remains to be seen.

The blaze, which was first reported to the fire department at 7:07 a.m. Oct. 15, caused extensive damage throughout the building. The second (top) floor, where the fire started, is a total loss according to Stow Historical Society President Bryan Menke. The first floor also suffered a great deal of damage when the fire caused the second floor to collapse.

Tammie Menke, vice president of the Stow Historical Society, told Channel 19 News in an article posted to the Cleveland television station’s website Oct. 16: “The museum had a fire in the upstairs level and we’re still not sure how or why, but it was burning pretty hot and they were able to salvage quite a few items and we’re working hard to save the artifacts the best we can.”

• At one point, the Heritage House served as the community’s original stagecoach stop near the intersection of Graham and Fishcreek roads. It was moved to Silver Springs Park in 1972 and restored to give visitors a perspective on the life of Stow’s early settlers. It’s one of four historic buildings that comprise Heritage Park, which is operated by the Stow Historical Society.

• Not all was lost in the fire. Some documents, tools, artifacts, furnishings, pieces of furniture and the pump organ have been saved from the first floor, which consisted of a living room, kitchen and library. However, other furnishings along with books and old catalogs were destroyed by fire, smoke and water.

• So what’s next? The historical society hopes the building’s basement and first floor can be saved and the second floor rebuilt. A contractor first has to evaluate the structure before the historical society and City of Stow make that determination. “Hopefully, we can restore it back to its old glory,” Tammie Menke said.

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