Bennett Van Keuren House hosts educational tours for local schoolchildren

The City Council of Mayfield Heights convened on February 10, 2025, to discuss various community initiatives and updates, particularly focusing on the Bennett Van Keuren House and its educational programs.

The meeting began with a presentation about the historical significance of the Bennett Van Keuren House, built in 1847 by Jacob Bennett. The house, now located at 606 Somme Center Road, serves as a venue for educational tours, accommodating groups of approximately 50 children from local schools. The curriculum includes interactive experiences that highlight historical artifacts and the lifestyle of past generations. Notably, students expressed their enjoyment of the log cabin exhibit and the schoolhouse, reflecting on the differences in education and play from their own experiences.

Janice and Joan, representatives from the historical society, emphasized the importance of community support in maintaining the house and its programs. They noted that the house is open for tours most Mondays and can accommodate special requests for visits. The society also hosts six meetings a year featuring guest speakers on various topics, with upcoming presentations from Bob DiBascio of Guardians and Jeff Heinen from Heinen's Grocery Store.

In addition to educational tours, the society manages archival items and organizes social events, including an annual ice cream social and a quilt raffle. They are actively seeking volunteers to assist with various tasks, encouraging community members to contribute their time, whether it be an hour a week or month.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the society's ongoing efforts to engage the community and preserve local history, highlighting the importance of volunteerism and support from residents. The council expressed gratitude for the work being done by the historical society and encouraged continued participation from the community.