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The historic Sinnett House, located behind the Granville Public Library, has a cer tain future now, since members of the library board have decided to move the struc tore themselves. (Photo by Kevin Graff)Walls could tell loving story of Sinnett House and seniorsGranville Fellowship moves into new quartersby EVELYN FROLKING Contributing WriterIf walls could talk, those of the historic Sinnett House would have a long and lovely stoiy to tell about the last 31 years, when Granville's senior citizens came together there to be friends.And while this story of a house and its friends has ended with the move of the Granville Fellowship Tuesday, the more than 125 members of the organization are ready to write the next chapter in their own history.Each treasured piece of furniture: Dr. Sinnett’s rocking chair, his' small reading table, the mirror from the Robbins Hunter house, the piano from a librarian at Denison, the cupboard crafted from local cherrywood -was carefully packed up and transported tothe fellowship's new home at the district offices of Granville Schools on Granger Street.“So many things in the house have their own stoiy,” said Erma Rutledge, who, along with her husband, Myron, was closely involved in the early 1970s when the story began. People came together, raised money for repairs, furnished the house, and through a labor of love, made the Sinnett House their home, she said.Walter Curtis, a local craftsman, did most of the early renovation work,” she recalled. “Dick Mann and my husband, Myron, who was the outgoing chair of the library board at the time, got it started, and Helen DunFieldkept it going.(See FELLOWSHIP, P. 12A)finto its ownBoard to pay to move house; j A new way forexpansion plans move forward Sinnett Houseby BRIAN MILLER Sentinel ReporterThe Board of Trustees ofthe Granville Public Library has agreed to use library funds to move the SinnettHouse, saving the building from possible demolition and paving the way for a ballot issue to raise money to expand the library.The board’s plans to double the size of the library stalled because of public sentiment for preserving the 154-year-old house, a Greek Revival -style home that is located in the path of the proposed expansion. The board, which owns the building, offered to give it to an individual or group willing to pay most of the cost to move it, but there were no takers.“After a lot of discussionabout how to facilitate expansion of the library in a downtown location, we felt that was the most pragmatic decision, said library board president Mike Frazier.By the end of the year, the board plans to move the home 75 feet west to a lot itowns at 122 S. Prospect St. An unoccupied home currently located on the lot will be torn down.The board has not discussed what source of library funds it will use to pay theestimated $125,000-$150,000 cost of the move.“Theoretically, we could take it from our reserves, and theoretically it could be rolled into the ballot issue, Frazier said.The board plans to pay for the expansion with a bond issue, which would entail borrowing money to pay the construction cost, and repaying the loan with proceeds from a multi-year property-tax levy. No date for the ballot issue has been set.The board will review architectural plans at its May 12 meeting, but there will be additional public meetings before the board votes on final plans.“We have not discussed details of the process, said Frazier.The board has shifted away from a plan to donate the house to the village, which proposed to use it as a welcome center including a new, more convenient location for offices for the Granville Area Chamber of Commerce. Instead, the the board plans to rent out both floors for small-business use.However, the chamber could be interested in relocating its offices to Sinnett House from East Broadway depending on the time frame and cost of the lease, said chamber president Pat Moller.We are interested in talk-to serveGranville(See SINNETT, P. 12A)by BRIAN MILLER Sentinel ReporterWith a new location secured, Sinnett House will be able to add yel another chapter to its lonp history of service tc Granville.Built in 1850, it was home of Edwin Sinnett. i Granville physician whe served as its mayor as wel as a State Senator, li 1923. his daughter, Clan Sinnett White, donatee their family home ant property to the Granvilli Public Library for one dol lar, asking only that thei home be moved to the rea of the lot and be pre served.After it was moved, th home was used as a par ments. In the early 1970: Granville Fellowship, th senior citizens group began using it for its sock and educational func tions. The group has jus finished moving to th Granville School District’ offices.In its newest role, th home will provide offic space for small business es. Jack Burriss, owner cCherry Traditions,(See NEW WAY, P. 12A)
Newspaper Details
Granville Sentinel
Granville, Ohio, US
Thu, May 06, 2004
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Wendy B.
NA, 08 Apr 2019
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