Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high Period of Significance artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack important in prehistory or history. Significant Person (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) (Complete only if Criterion B is marked above.) Owned by a religious institution or used for religious removed from its original location. C a birthplace or grave. D a cemetery. E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
F a commemorative property. less than 50 years old or achieving significance within the past 50 years. The period of significance begins with the building of the South Newbury Union Chapel and ends in 1948 with the formation of the Ladies Aid Association, one of the last organizations to meet in the building for an extended, ongoing basis, and whose founding was tied to the history and preservation of the Union Chapel. 1858-1948 history. purposes. Architect/Builder Property is: Significant Dates Period of Significance (justification) Cultural Affiliation (Enter categories from instructions.) Social History Applicable National Register Criteria Criteria Considerations individual distinction. Geauga County Ohio Name of Property County and State Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information United States Department of the Interior NPS Form 10-900 OMB No.
1024-0018 South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio Name of Property Criteria Considerations (explanation, if necessary) The South Newbury Union Chapel meets National Register criterion exception A as a former religious property that derives it primary significance for historic events associated with the building. The building's history reflects its role as significant community center and public gathering location for the exchange of ideas such as women's right to vote, temperance and other important civic issues and topics of late nineteenth and early twentieth century life.
of significance and applicable criteria.) Built in 1858, the South Newbury Union Chapel became a symbol of free-speech and assembly for the 1857 was the catalyst that sent the Newbury community ablaze and began the fight for free speech through the groups would convene at the chapel in an attempt to end alcohol consumption while the suffrage organization, South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club would struggle to see their dreams come to fruition within its walls. The Northern Ohio Health and Dress Reform Organization would be the first to utilize Union Chapel for monthly meetings. The chapel's impact would not only be visible on the local level but would attract famous and Harriet Taylor Upton were able to witness the vitality of this chapel and the women who were a part of the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club.
These two women came to speak at the chapel because they understood how essential the Newbury community was to the national change that lay ahead. As the years have passed, Union Chapel still sits near Route 44 as a beacon for the women who sacrificed everything to see Narrative Statement of Significance (Provide at least one paragraph for each area of significance.) Located in South Newbury, Union Chapel has had a major impact on Geauga County's history. Built in 1858, Union Chapel was created according to the Lease Record to be utilized for "literary, scientific, moral and dedication for use in this fashion would allow a variety of organizations to call Union Chapel home as they intention of ending alcohol consumption to create a purified world.
The process of purification would include South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club, the second such group to organize in Ohio, also held their local meetings and events inside the walls of this small chapel. The work these women accomplished would be visible enough to attract famous leaders in the suffrage movement to Union Chapel to share their ideas and goals for the future. Some of the organizations that convened in Union Chapel included: The Sons of Temperance, South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club, Northern Ohio Health and Dress Reform, Good Recorder's Lease Record, book 1, page 20. At Geauga County Archives, 470 Center Place, Building #8. Chardon, Ohio, 44024 (Expires 5/31/2012) Union Chapel was utilized by controversial organizations that desired to see change nationwide.
Temperance creation of this one-story mid-nineteenth century picturesque building.This distinctive beginning would only change in America. attempting to close all bars in the community and explaining to young boys the importance of abstinence.The worked to see their dreams come to reality.Temperance organizations would enter Union Chapel with the Newbury Township community.A shutout of James A. Garfield, then a young minister, at a local church in County and State religious purposes, and free for lectures upon all useful subjects, and free for all denominations. The National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph (Provide a summary paragraph that includes level be the start of this chapel's impact on the local society in response to issues and topics of national interest.
individuals to come and observe the strength of the organizations that met at Union Chapel. Susan B. Anthony United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio Templers, and the Cold Water Army. These groups heavily relied on Union Chapel to complete their mission in the community. Several influential women visited Union Chapel including suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Taylor Upton due to its prominent role as a venue for free speech. This rich history behind the creation of Union Chapel played a major impact on how influential it would be for these groups. Its dedication to free speech would lay the foundation for these organizations to have the opportunity to call Union Chapel home.
This small chapel located off of Route 44 was created in retaliation of the prevention of a young James A. Garfield, later to become the 20* President of the United States, from speaking at the brick church across the street. This prevention was due to the literal sense Garfield, then a minister in a relatively new Protestant Garfield's journal, he documents his visitation to the Newbury community in December of 1857 stating: "I found the community in a fever of excitement. The Congregationalists had shut us out from their house and school room, and I found an audience of over 100 awaiting me in a Dancing Hall in the place.
I spoke to them for an hour and a quarter of the need of Faithfulness to all the trust that God has He would speak for two days at a local dancing hall, which was most likely at Parker Tavern as that was often to speak and were determined to build a chapel that would allow free speech for all people. Anson Mathews gave the land for the creation of Union Chapel however there is no deed. Originally, the built date was listed as 1856 yet historical facts including James A. Garfield's personal diary prove that this date is not plausible. According to Garfield's diary, he did not visit the Newbury community until December of 1857.
Also according to the Geauga County tax records Anson Matthews purchased the 16 ¼ acres, including the land Union Chapel would eventually be built on in December of 1856." He would continue to pay taxes on this reflect his land ownership in 1859 making the most probable building date 1858. Anson Matthews would also generation to generation. However, the chapel would never have an owner instead it would be cared for by the entire community. According to local legend, Garfield returned to South Newbury after the construction of reform organizations as a forum for free speech and discussion of progressive ideas did make the local papers. particular names were attached, other than Anson Matthews who donated the land for the building. Reportedly citizens contributed logs from their wood lots, carpentry and masonry labor.
After the chapel was built, community members maintained the building in the form of supplying wood for its heating, oil for the lamp lighting, etc. "Auditor's Tax Duplicate for the Township of Newbury, 1860. On microfilm at Chardon Public Library, 110 East Park Street. Chardon, Ohio, 44024 Roll #35 utilized for local gatherings.Many of the citizens were angered by the church''s unwillingness to allow Garfield The building of Union Chapel was a group effort by individuals of South Newbury and vicinity to which no entire parcel until in1860hewould only pay taxes on15% acres in the same vicinity.The taxespaid in1860 County and State Name of Property entrust the building and property to three trustees who would continue to pass the responsibility down from Union Chapel. If he did, this did not make the local papers.
But the use of Union Chapel by a variety of social Miller Center, University of Virginia, millercenter.org/president/Garfield. "'The Diary of James A. Garfield, edited by Harry James Brown and Frederick D. Williams. Michigan State University Press: 1967. " Recorder's Lease Record, book 1, page 20. Geauga County Archives, 470 Center Place Building #8. Chardon, Ohio, 44024. committed us. They gave me the very best of attention. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form OMB No. 1024-0018 South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio County and State During the period in which Union Chapel was built and utilized there were several structures in Newbury that were used for local gatherings.
There were four churches however; they maintained strict guidelines regarding what topics could be discussed within their walls and were not readily accepting of many movements that were occurring based on location and population at the turn of the century. Furthermore until 1868, the Sons of Temperance owned a town hall that would eventually be sold to the trustees of Newbury. However, Union even those which were controversial. While according to its name it was a chapel, it was more often utilized as a community center and church services according to The Pioneer and General History were held once a events. Plays, musical entertainment, and the local band convened at Union Chapel to practice and originally a bandstand was located next to the chapel however, that was removed during the widening of Route 44 (see historic photograph).
The dress reform was a major part of Union Chapel's history as the Ohio Northern Health and Dress Reform Association would be the first documented social reform organization to utilize the structure. Founded in 1870, this organization was one of the first groups dedicated for the dress reform in Ohio. According to the Ohio Northern Health and Dress Reform Association's constitution and by laws, their objective was "the diffusion of physiological and scientific knowledge pertaining to the perfection of the human being and to the end of all souls may dwell in free and healthful body's and thus fulfill the great objective of life, the complete unfoldment the first Saturday. Membership fees were 50 cents yearly and officials were also to be elected on a yearly basis. The first president of the movement would be Mrs. Hodges followed in 1872 by D.M. Allen.
While only required by the bylaws to have once a month meetings, the meetings were often held more frequently. The women would gather weekly rotating from location to location. These meetings were often held at Union Chapel and discussed a variety of topics including wages and gender, deception, the right to vote and divorce. The women would have a yearly picnic on the 4" of July to celebrate their organization and many of the women would wear bloomers. Often the women would place notices of their meetings in local newspapers similar to "The Northern Ohio Health and Dress Reform Association will hold a public meeting at the Chapel, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, all citizens, irrespective of sex, are entitled to the Elective Franchise." All persons interested are invited to attend, and aid in the solution of this knotty problem.
These meeting would eventually lead to the creation of the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club in an attempt to gain rights for women. Vii Ohio Northern Dress Reform Bylaws. 1870. Located at Geauga County Historical Society. Street. Chardon, Ohio, 44024 Roll #12 (Expires 5/31/2012) month. More commonly the building was utilized for speaking engagements along with local meetings and the one below: Name of Property NPS Form 10-900 South Newbury, Friday evening, Oct. 20th. The following question will be discussed: "Resolved, The Pioneer and General History of Geauga County, Ohio: Stoneman Press, 1953. Located at: Burton Public Library. Chapel was the only structure that permitted all individuals to speak regardless of gender on a variety of topics United States Department of the Interior National Park Service/National Register of Historic Places Registration Form OMB No.
1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio Name of Property Furthermore, the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club with the motto "Equal Rights for All! at Union Chapel. They would picket at elections and attempted to vote in November of 1872 and April of 1873 as an unofficial organization. In January of 1874, the women involved in suffragist activity determined that an organization needed to be officially formed, which led to the creation of the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club. This group was formed by many of the same women who were involved in the Ohio Northern Health and Dress Reform. Ruth Munn would serve as the first president and her daughter Ellen would serve as the recording secretary. D.M.
Allen would write the constitution, which would outline the ideals and plans for "The object of this organization shall be; by the circulation of newspapers and tracts, by lectures and political equality with a man. They would hold multiple conventions and picnics inviting local suffrage leaders to come and address the importance of the suffrage movement. On July 4, 1876, this organization would plant a centennial oak on vandalism and placed a time capsule underneath it. This time capsule would contain a list of the founding members, minutes of the first meeting and the club's constitution. The work completed by the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club would attract attention on the national level. Susan B. Anthony would come and speak at the chapel in 1879 and later in 1919 Harriet Taylor Upton, from Warren, Ohio, would also come to visit.
Further, Harriet Taylor Upton's Recollections document her visitation to the centennial oak to honor the strong women who were vital to the women's suffrage movement and changed America forever. The visitation her lecture. These individuals witnessed the importance of the work completed by organizations such as the South Newbury Women's Suffrage Political Club on the national level and desired to be a part of this group. The Geauga Leader would document an opinion of the talk given by Susan B. Anthony: "We were highly entertained recently by a lecturer of Susan B. Anthony on woman suffrage. On rebuke. Union Hall was crowded both evenings by intelligent audiences, who listened for two hours each evening with close attention. The work she has done here must make a lasting impression, and we These two women were extremely influential to the national suffrage movement. Susan B.
Anthony, who would never marry due to her dedication to the cause, would lead the suffrage movement as the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Harriet Taylor Upton a close colleague of Anthony's would enter the movement later as a role model who was extremely influential in the political arena. Both of these women were Chardon, Ohio, 44024 Roll #13 * Geauga Republican, January 21, 1874 edition. Volume 3 #3. On microfilm at Chardon Public Library. 110 East Park Street. * Geauga Leader, March 14, 1879 edition. Volume 5, #14. On microfilm at Chardon Public Library, 110 East Park Street. Chardon, Ohio, 44024 Roll #17. County and State NPS Form 10-900 of Susan B.Anthony would be documented in multiple newspapers and many community members attended the suffrage movement in Geauga County.
The goal of this organization according to its constitution was: discussions, and all legitimate instrumentalities, to aid in placing woman on a pecuniary, social, and community. They also had one of their members go on tour speaking and educating individuals on the Sabbath evening, she gave us a strong lecture on temperance, in which tobacco came in for its share of * Geauga Republican, November 13, 1872 edition. Volume 1, #46. On microfilm at Chardon Public Library, 110 East Park Street. Taxation without Representation is Tyranny! Our foes, Tradition and Superstition,* would hold their meetings fondly hope will awaken many to serious action in the reforms which are so much needed.*i United States Department of the Interior NPS Form 10-900 OMB No.
1024-0018 South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio Name of Property leaders on in the larger suffrage movement and were respected on a national level. It is a local legend that Alcott however, there has been no evidence found to validate these claims. and ideas. The Cold Water Army, which was dedicated to the education of young men on the area of alcohol consumption, would often hold their meetings at the chapel along with the Good Templers and Sons of Temperance. These groups would rely on the chapel to host their meetings and to educate the public on the importance of abstaining from alcohol. Other organizations that met at Union Chapel were the South Newbury Farmer's Alliance and the Newbury Cornet Band however; they did not convene on a regular basis at the chapel. At one point a preschool also met regularly at the chapel and had several students.
Following the conclusion of the work by the dress reform, temperance groups and suffrage organization, Union Chapel would continue to be used for important purposes and reform organizations. The South Newbury Memorial Association would form in 1920 and maintain the chapel. These women comprehended the necessity of the preservation of local historic structures long before the widespread historic preservation movement occurred.They were some of first preservationists as they struggled to keep the history of Newbury alive. Local citizens would donate financially to the cause with donations for repair materials and goods. Many of the same families would be funders for the preservation of the chapel as were involved with the suffrage and temperance movement. F.W. Greene would complete most of the repairs on the chapel throughout the 1920s including repainting and new locks on the building.
In 1931 the South Newbury Memorial Association placed a stone in front of the chapel listing the various events that occurred within its walls. Some time after 1931, the bell tower of Union Chapel would be closed off due to maintenance issues and the bandstand would be disassembled due to the widening of Route 44. Route 44 prior to this period was a dirt single lane road, however due to the increased used of the road it become increasingly necessary to expand the road. The fear has continued to be that if the road continues to be as heavily traveled as it currently is it may In 1948, the Ladies Aid association was formed and met in the Chapel during the summer months. These women were dedicated to the care of the community and the important structures within it. They sewed for the Red Cross, baked meals for those in need, sent flowers to the ill and single handedly cared for the chapel.
Many of these women were descendents of the original leaders in Union Chapel and comprehended the necessity of its continued maintenance. They raised funds for the continued preservation of the building and no task was too large for these women. In January of 1979, the original plaque placed by the Newbury Memorial Association was stolen and the Ladies Aid also known at this point as the Chapel Bells would raise money to replace the Throughout the years, local newspapers have written articles on a small chapel that has no owner. These with several other prominent members in America including Lucy Stone, Theodore Parker, and Louisa May Alcott. While these articles assisted in the preservation of Union Chapel they also detracted from the true and unique history behind this chapel, which was dedicated to free speech.
some of the local legend regarding the chapel.The local legend is that Garfield returned in the later years along County and State (Expires 5/31/2012) National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form become necessary to further expand the road, which may be hazardous to the longevity of the chapel. several other prominent individuals visited Union Chapel over the years including Lucy Stone and Louisa May Many temperance organizations would also utilize Union Chapel as a meeting place to express their thoughts articles have once again shed light on the history of Union Chapel however it has also been the perpetrator for United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form OMB No.
1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) South Newbury Union Chapel Geauga County Ohio Furthermore, in 1963 a local sewing 4-H club began utilizing the chapel for their meetings and events. This being utilized as a meeting place until after 1990 when many of the local groups had disbanded. Through the 1990s and 2000, Union Chapel was randomly used for meetings and gatherings however, it would no longer be a part of their wetlands work. This purchase would not only be advantageous for the park district but also for Union Chapel and the trustees. A bond between the Geauga Park District and the Union Chapel trustees would truly begin to comprehend the necessity of its continued preservation for the future generations. Today, the chapel is open for private tours upon request and a Union Chapel Advisory Committee has been formed to discuss and determine plans for Union Chapel in the future.
The South Newbury Union Chapel was built along a main thoroughfare from Lake Erie to the Akron-Canton area, which is known today as State Route 44. It is located close to the Punderson Lake, an early resort area in Geauga County's Newbury Township. The building is within a small community enclave based around Punderson Lake, other nearby lakes and historically, local mills (the mills no longer exist). South Newbury Union Chapel became a community center for the exchange of ideas (such as women's right to vote, temperance and other topics of the day), for cultural events (bi-annual performances and concerts). It was the community's educational epicenter and served, at various times throughout its history, as the town's library, 9.
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