Stow's historic Heritage House catches fire Sunday morning, sustains heavy damage

April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Two firefighters walk toward Heritage House on Sunday in Stow. Significant damage was sustained by the historic building in a fire.
Two firefighters walk toward Heritage House on Sunday in Stow. Significant damage was sustained by the historic building in a fire.

The Heritage House in Stow's Silver Springs Park suffered extensive damage from an early morning fire on Sunday.

Bryan Menke, the president of the Stow Historical Society, said that the second floor of the house was completely lost, and there was significant damage to the first floor. Many documents, books and artifacts were destroyed.

The fire remains under investigation. Capt. Jason Hartman said that the fire department received a call from someone near the park at 7:07 a.m.

He added that whether the building could be saved would be determined by the city and the Stow Historical Society, but a contractor would have to evaluate the building.

Stow Fire Capt. Jason Hartman walks into Heritage House, which was heavily damaged in a Sunday morning fire.
Stow Fire Capt. Jason Hartman walks into Heritage House, which was heavily damaged in a Sunday morning fire.

According to the Stow Historical Society website, the building was originally constructed in 1849 near the intersection of Graham and Fishcreek roads.

"This was the original stagecoach stop on Graham and Fishcreek," Menke said. "We moved it over here [to the park] in the 1970s. It was brought here and restored. It was the very first building built for the historical society over here."

The second floor included antique tools, a bedroom setup and more, Menke said.

The fire caused the second floor to collapse onto the first floor, where there is a library, kitchen and living room. Many of the items in those rooms were damaged or destroyed by fire, smoke or water. They included books, Sears-Roebuck cataloges and furnishings.

Menke said one item that was saved is the pump organ.

Bryan Menke and other members of the Stow Historical Society transport artifacts from the Heritage House. The historic structure was heavily damaged in an early Sunday morning fire.
Bryan Menke and other members of the Stow Historical Society transport artifacts from the Heritage House. The historic structure was heavily damaged in an early Sunday morning fire.

On Sunday afternoon, shovelfuls of black cinders and debris could occasionally be seen being tossed out of a first floor window.

Menke commended the fire department for not only their work on putting out the fire but for their efforts in getting out as many of the artifacts as they could.

"I hope the city and historical society can at least save the basement and first floor, and rebuild the second floor," he said.

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

Significant damage was sustained by the Heritage House in Silver Springs Park in Stow. To the left, debris is shoveled and tossed out a first-floor window.
Significant damage was sustained by the Heritage House in Silver Springs Park in Stow. To the left, debris is shoveled and tossed out a first-floor window.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Heritage House in Stow heavily damaged by smoke, fire