The History of the "Save The Tavern!" Movement
The foundation of The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society was established in May, 2011, when Erin Cicero and Marc Petersen raised awareness in the community with their "Save the Tavern!" effort, as a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual "This Place Matters" Campaign. This national campaign highlights the efforts of large cities and preservation organizations and selects three winners, who receive funds to assist in their preservation efforts. The grassroots "Save the Tavern" campaign, which was formally sponsored by the Madison Historical Society, competed against large metropolitan projects and well established historical organizations and finished 9th in the nation! Although no funds were received, the campaign to "Save the Tavern!" resonated within the Unionville-Madison community and the nearby area. The group decided to continue its work and participated in various community events, continuing to raise awareness about the status of The Old Tavern.
In the Fall of 2011, the group formalized its effort by establishing The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society, as a non-profit organization whose goals are to raise awareness in the community about the history and the status of the Unionville Tavern, to safeguard the historical importance of the Tavern, to facilitate a conversation by all pertinent parties on behalf of saving the Tavern, and eventually to raise funds on behalf of preserving The Old Tavern. Since the Fall of 2011, a significant amount of work has been done to establish the organization and to network with other like-minded organizations. The Society has joined efforts with The Friends of Freedom Society, an organization representing the history of the Ohio Underground Railroad network and dedicated to preserving its historical sites, throughout the state. We are thankful to have the support of the FOFS and are proud to work alongside their effort to protect our local station on the Underground Railroad, The Unionville Tavern. We have also joined Preservation Ohio, the largest historical preservation organization in the State of Ohio... and one the largest such groups in the country. We look forward to working with them in our effort as well. In addition, we have continued our efforts in the community, to raise awareness to the public.
In July, 2012, The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society joined forces with the Madison Community Improvement Corporation to combine our resources in our effort to "Save the Tavern!". The two organizations are committed to working together to help preserve this historic local landmark. The MCIC has established a fund through its tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status which will allow individuals or groups to make donations and receive a tax benefit. The MCIC will maintain the account, while the Preservation Society will oversee the use of the funds on behalf of the Old Tavern. Our joint effort will allow us to send charitable donation letters for donations and memberships, as well as provide us with additional community resources and support. Both organizations feel this partnership will greatly help in our efforts as we move forward.
While we have networked with the Madison Historical Society, the Friends of Freedom Society, and Preservation Ohio, we have also engaged in dialogue with other community representatives and resources, such as the Unionville Boosters and the Lake County Historical Society. In addition, we have presented our efforts to local government officials as well. And we have also engaged in communication with the current owner, on behalf of saving The Old Tavern.
Our efforts to "Save the Tavern!" are never-ending. It is a daily campaign to bring resolution to this matter on behalf of an important part of our local... and National history. The Society is committed to exhausting every effort in this regards. The Old Tavern has survived over two centuries of history, economic down-turns, and Northeast Ohio weather, but our time is growing short! The effort to "Save the Tavern!" will not succeed based on the work of our Society alone. It will require a cooperative effort from the owner, the community, businesses, government, benefactors, skilled tradesmen, etc. Together, we can make a difference to "Save the Tavern!". Together, we must make the decision to "Save the Tavern!".
In the Fall of 2011, the group formalized its effort by establishing The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society, as a non-profit organization whose goals are to raise awareness in the community about the history and the status of the Unionville Tavern, to safeguard the historical importance of the Tavern, to facilitate a conversation by all pertinent parties on behalf of saving the Tavern, and eventually to raise funds on behalf of preserving The Old Tavern. Since the Fall of 2011, a significant amount of work has been done to establish the organization and to network with other like-minded organizations. The Society has joined efforts with The Friends of Freedom Society, an organization representing the history of the Ohio Underground Railroad network and dedicated to preserving its historical sites, throughout the state. We are thankful to have the support of the FOFS and are proud to work alongside their effort to protect our local station on the Underground Railroad, The Unionville Tavern. We have also joined Preservation Ohio, the largest historical preservation organization in the State of Ohio... and one the largest such groups in the country. We look forward to working with them in our effort as well. In addition, we have continued our efforts in the community, to raise awareness to the public.
In July, 2012, The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society joined forces with the Madison Community Improvement Corporation to combine our resources in our effort to "Save the Tavern!". The two organizations are committed to working together to help preserve this historic local landmark. The MCIC has established a fund through its tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status which will allow individuals or groups to make donations and receive a tax benefit. The MCIC will maintain the account, while the Preservation Society will oversee the use of the funds on behalf of the Old Tavern. Our joint effort will allow us to send charitable donation letters for donations and memberships, as well as provide us with additional community resources and support. Both organizations feel this partnership will greatly help in our efforts as we move forward.
While we have networked with the Madison Historical Society, the Friends of Freedom Society, and Preservation Ohio, we have also engaged in dialogue with other community representatives and resources, such as the Unionville Boosters and the Lake County Historical Society. In addition, we have presented our efforts to local government officials as well. And we have also engaged in communication with the current owner, on behalf of saving The Old Tavern.
Our efforts to "Save the Tavern!" are never-ending. It is a daily campaign to bring resolution to this matter on behalf of an important part of our local... and National history. The Society is committed to exhausting every effort in this regards. The Old Tavern has survived over two centuries of history, economic down-turns, and Northeast Ohio weather, but our time is growing short! The effort to "Save the Tavern!" will not succeed based on the work of our Society alone. It will require a cooperative effort from the owner, the community, businesses, government, benefactors, skilled tradesmen, etc. Together, we can make a difference to "Save the Tavern!". Together, we must make the decision to "Save the Tavern!".
