Decorative drawing: a nineteenth-century public building. Not a photograph of this place.

Nomination for Brecksville Trailside Museum

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 3,543 words across 36 pages, filed in 1992. Read by 4 independent recognisers, of which at least 3 had to agree before a line was published.

Source document Held by the National Archives in Record Group 79 as reference 92000988, where it exists only as a scan with no text layer. The words below were read off that scan by 4 independent recognisers at two resolutions. Only lines that at least 3 of them returned identically appear below; where they disagreed, the line is withheld rather than guessed, so some of the form's furniture is missing. Spelling is never corrected, so a stray character that all the readers agreed on is the recogniser's and the typewriter's.. Nothing is summarised, corrected or written by this site. See the catalogue record, or return to the property.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property 2. Location street & number N/Anot for publication city, town N/avicinity state Ohio zip code 44141 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property X building(s) X public-local _sites Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 4.
State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this National Register of Historic Placesand meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. State or Federal agency and bureau Signature of commenting or other official 5. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby, certity that this property is: Vlentered in the National Register. I See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Signature of the Keeper code Noncontributing Date object public-State structure Brecksville Total public-Federal district private REGISTER National Register.
historic name Brecksville Trailside Museum county Cuyahoga Registration Form Signature of certifying official National Register of Historic Places Chippewa Creek Drive off State Route 82 Date of Action (Rev. 8-86) for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, X nomination Jrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the 988 NATIONAL Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga Co, Ohio 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) RECREATION AND CULTURE/museum 7.
Description Materials (enter categories from instructions) (enter categories from instructions) foundation Sandstone OTHER: rustic This building is a one-story, four-room nature center with a partial basement and Doors, located at the north, south and west ends, are constructed fron black walnut. held together with moctise and tenon. Windows are multi-paned/fixed sash, flanking a Alterations to the flat roofs and drains were done. Due to improper drainage, the Also at this time, four interior walls were removed. Iwo of the walls extended six feet from the south doors inward to the support posts. The other two were similar and were located at the north doors. [x See continuation sheet Shake Architectural Classification walls_Stone massive stone front entryway. visitors and vice versa.It also serves as an information area.
Gables are rustic-sided with the original chestaut shake shingles covering the roof. chestnut wall to form a storage roon.The exhibit cases in this area were removed. Describe present and historic physical appearance. flat roofs were elevated slightly to allow adequate drainage away from the clerestory enable visitors to view the wildlife from indoors.The architectural dimensions and windous.Original drain pipes were cenoved.Scuppers were added to insure proper view of the north or south sides were unaltered by this change. opening extending out two feet.This was done to afford the staff a view of the was used to keep with the theme of the existing hardware in the building. roofs on the north and south sides with clerestory windows and exposed rafter ends.
Circa 1965,four large viewing windows each measuring 35"x77"were added to the east side of the building.A single row of 11"x14"window panes,along with rustic Circa 1978,a42"x 41"opening was cut into the northwest interior wall between has a sandstone foundation lined with cement.
Walls are made of coursed sandstone and Circa 1980, tne southeast corner of the exhibit area was enclosed with a wormy roof Wood rough-sawn wormy chestnut.Windows have stone-faced ashlar sills.There are porched The door was cut and formed from the wall so as not to be obtrusive.Iron hardware the exnibit room and work space/office.A chestnut counter area was added below the attic built by the Works Progress Administration.The 37'x 7o' rectangular structure siding and interior exhibits were removed to install these windows.This was done to appearance of the building.A tctal of four were constructed;two per flat roof. NPS Form 10-000a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED JAN 2 2 1992 Brecksville Trailside Museum, Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio and left of the south doors, and the one between the office area and north doors. created by a local woodcarver from a block of black walnut.
The design was recreated from old photographs. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places National Park Service In 1989,various restoration efforts took place to restore parts of the building appearance with wormy chestnut. Restoration included removal of rotted damage) and replacement to original to conform with the building's interior. A full-size carving of a woodpecker was missing from the exterior of the building United States Department of the Interior Anniversary plans for the building.Three of the indoor windows sills and frames Two interior to the ones removed in c.1965),extending from the Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga Co., OH 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: -locally Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance Significant Person Gil1, E.L., Assistant Architect, Ohio Central Design Office, U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service State significance of property,and justify criteria,criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The Brecksville Trailside Museum is significant for consideration under Criterion A due to its "rustic style of architecture". The design called for the use of native setting of Brecksville Reservation. to the development of America's national, state and local parks.
The construction of roads, bridges, picnic shelters, and other facilities made parks accessible to millions of District took advantage of these projects to aid in construction of various facilities.! This program replaced direct relief with work relief. The program paid $15 to $90 per President Franklin Roosevelt announced the set-up of the program, Cleveland Metropolitan 1700-acre Brecksville Reservation". 2 sponsored work projects then underway at each of the Cleveland Metropolitan Parks. At this being financed with federal dollars was "sweeping Cleveland's mighty Metropolitan Parks CCC focused onstructures of more simple technology designed to spend money quickly and to rooted in the traditions of the chosen sites.
Although utilitarlan, these rustic style [X] See continuation sheet 1937-1939 Architecture Conservation Significant Dates Architect/Builder Cultural Affiliation The Cleveland Press of July 22,1936,commented that the rush of major improvements Progress Administration (the name was later changed to Works Projects Administration). An article andmap published in the Cleveland Press of July21,1936,showed federally X] nationally Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) since it was constructed by skilled craftsmen of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) newly-mobile Americans seeking relief from citles. The Cleveland Netropolitan Park In the spring of 1935, Congress appropriated $1.4 billion to establish the Works undertaken during the Great Depression contributed a great deal to the development of employ large numbers of unemployed workers.
The architecture was well-known for being buildings of the New Deal appear timeless in their design and appropriate to their use and (sand)stone and rough-sawn timber in order to blend harmonlously with the rural, wooded Into a completed system a generation ahead of schedule".4 WPA and CCC relief proiects statewide Park District Director William A.Stinchcomb was armed with proposed work projects.Among America's national,state and local parks;Including the Cleveland etroparks. month and was designed to "help men keep their chins up and their hands in.When The WPA and time In Brecksville, WPA laborers were laying water mains.3 NPS Form 10-0004 National Park Service Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga Co., OH Architect, Ohio Central Design Office, U.S. Department of Interlor, National Park Service. county, and metropolitan recreation areas under the Emergency Conservation Work Act.
1935 the Natlonal Park Service published Park and Recreation Structures which was fol lowed In 1938 with a three-volume version entitled Park Structures and Facilitles to serve as a phi losophy of architecture and design appropriate to park lands. By this time, rustic As described in Park Structures and Facilitles: Successfully handled, [rustic] is a style which, through the use of native materlals in proper scale, and through the avoidance of rlgid straight IInes, and over sophistication gives the feeling of having achleves sympathy with natural surroundings and with the past. style of architecture through Its use of native sandstone, rough-sawn tlmber, shake shingle window sills on the north, south and west ends of the structure, as well as the sandstone sandstone fireplace.
cut and shaped from the surrounding woods.The stonework construction adds to the rustic Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places quarried from the area and the rough-sawn timber (American chestnut and black walnut) was United States Department of the Interlor training tool for new architects and landscape architects designing development in parks. Indigenous stone,shingled roofs with broad overhangs and porches,and simply proportioned nature of the building.Evidence of this rustic-style stonework is found in the ashlar window and door openings.The Brecksvllle Trallside Museum is an example of the rustic 1920s and spread throughout the nation during the work-relief programs of the Depression.
This structure Is also eligible under Criterion C for architecture.In 1937 WPA laborers, Section number - Complete with photographs and plans of successful bulldings, the book summarized the basic Rustic architecture as assoclated to park facilities reached its highpolnt in the late The rustic style Is characterized by the use of natural materlals, particularly logs and exterior facings of the bullding. Once Indoors, one will find a floor-to-ceiling coursed Page (8-88) roof,and carved wildlife figures on the structure.The stone (Berea sandstone) was In 1933 the National Park Service was designated to supervise the development in state, MPS Form OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga Co., sports exposed rafter ends, the original chestnut shake roof shingles, rough-sawn wormy Interlor exudes a warm, rustic atmosphere.
Most obvlous are the support posts, beams and boards all display axe, drawknife, or other marking tool marks to give the appearance of In addition to the structure Itself, WPA craftsmen also completed the fancy Iron work and museums came about in the 1920s, when visitors began driving through national parks In their own vehicles rather than an escorted tours provided by park concessions outfits. The first park museums were at Yosemite and Mesa Verde (1923-24). one in Rocky River burned in c. 1972. With the approach of World War I1, the number of available WPA workers dwindled. By 1941, WPA work ceased operation. Ohio Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places National Park Service architectural Integrity.
The rustic architecture was carried over with the woodwork of the structure.The exterior the average number available to the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District was 250,whereas Thus this structure is eligible under Criteria A and C for its fine craftsmanship, United States Department of the Interior detailing and architecture and for its association with the Work Projects Administratlon. the structure as such,Design of the building is finely adapted to the purpose of the splendid example of expert craftsmanship that is possible in WPA projects.The doors Harriet Keller Shelterhouse (1939),the water bubbler (1937-39),the Men's and Women's opened June 11,1939,to the public as the third nature education"structure with1n the walls.
The posts exhibit leaf carvings, done by WPA craftsmen, both on the posts and above The exposed construction joints appear to be mortise trunnels", (wood pegs covering hidden bolts In the posts.) The posts, beams and wall examI nation reveals saw marks of the saw used in the orlginal shaping of the lumber. trallside Institution, and virtually all of the work has been done by hand. Even the door hinges, heat registers...and andirons for the open fireplace are hand made. Museum is the only educational structure of an original three, still existing In the Modern changes to the bullding have, for the most part, been minimal and done for Page Section number Cleveland Metropolitan Park District. Cleveland Metroparks today.
The trailside museum in North Chagrin burned in 1987 and the chestnut siding on the gables,and solid black walnut doors.The wormy chestnut of the Though several examples of WPA and CcC park structures remain in Brecksville such as;the the intersections of the cross beams. The concept of trallsidemuseums" or field 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service Cleveland Press, January 7, 1935. (As cited in numbers 1,3,4.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) Primary location of additional data: State historic preservation office previously determined eligible by the National Register X Federal agency recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # Other Jrecorded by Historic American Engineering Specify repository: 10. Geographical Data Verbal Boundary Description 11. Form Prepared By January 10, 1992 street & number 4101 Fulton Parkway _ telephone (216)351-6300 (216)526-1012 state Ohio _ zip code 44144 Zone Northing Easting University 1976. Area Inventory historically associated with this building.
Boundary Justification See continuation sheet Local government UTM References organization Cleveland Metroparks Smith,Karl D.,Emerald Necklace,a Monthly Newsletter From The Other State agency previously listed in the National Register has been requested designated a National Historic Landmark Project Structuresin the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area). The property occupies the center of the eastern of Lot 32(Brecksville Township). Report of the Board of Park Commissioners cited Record # 1,3,4 in numbers 1,3,4.) Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga Co., OHIO Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Cleveland Metroparks System. April, 1989.
Acreage of property National Register of Historic Places Inventory (Federal Relief name/title Carl Casavecchia, Naturalist less than one acre Report of the Board of Park Commissioners 1940-41 cited Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga County, Ohio the eastern half of Lot 32 in Brecksville, Brecksville Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Continuation Sheet National Park Service National Register of Historic Places the easternmost wall of the building.The southern boundary line lies 10 feet the Brecksville Trailside Museum building.
northernmost wall of the building.The eastern boundary line lies 10 east of VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION:The nominated property is bounded by a set of BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION:The boundaries of the nominated property include only United States Department of the Interior imaginary lines that intersect to form a rectangle around the rectangular NPS Form 1C-900e OM8 Approval No. 10240018 BRECKSVILLE TRAILSIDE MUSEUM, BRECKSVILLE, OHIO, CUYAHOGA COUNTY Section number Photographs Page - 1 Brecksville, Ohio Photographer: Karl Smith Date of photographs: December 4, 1991 2. Front view of Trailside Museum (looking S). 4. View of rear and east-end (looking NW). 8. Scupper (looking S). 9. Ashlar window sills at the northwest end (looking S). 10. Woodpecker carving outside north doors. 15. View of south doors (interior). 16. View of interior walls near south doors (looking SW). 18.
View of fireplace stonework. 20. View from office looking toward north doors. 21. View of storage room. (looking SE)- Continuation Sheet Brecksville Trailside Museum Location of negatives: Brecksville Nature Center National Park Service National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior * The following information is the same for all photographs listed below: 1.Front view of Trailside Museum showing natural setting S). 7.View of south doors and clerestory windows (looking N). 19.View of office in-W). 3.View of front and west-end exterior SE). (8-86) NPS Form OMB Approval No.
1024-0018 National Park Service BRECKSVILLE TRAILSIDE MUSEUM, BRECKSVILLE, OHIO, CUYAHOGA COUNTY Section number PhotogcaphsPage - Brecksville, Ohio Photographer: Karl Smith Date of photographs: May 1, 1989 Location of negatives: Brecksville Nature Center 5. View of wildlife viewing windows (looking W). 11. Squirrel carving outside north doors. 12. Exterior door hinge (north doors). 13. View of north doors (interior). 14. View of leaf carvings (interior posts). 17. View of fireplace (interior - 1o0king W).
Brecksville Trailside Museum Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places * The following information is the same for all photographs listed below: United States Department of the Interior (8-86) Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Brecksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga County, Ohio IECTION-EAST.WALL PAO.HIC Bredksville Trailside Museum, Cuyahoga County, Ohio -TOUNDATION -PLAN- NPS Form 10-000d OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interlor Section number _ Cuyahoga OH in the nomination documentation. Page change.
DISTRIBUTION: Continuation Sheet Property Name: Brecksville Trailside Museum National Register property file notwithstanding the National Park Service certification included Multiple Name National Park Service Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Nominating Authority (without nomination attachment) Date of Action The nomination form has a technical error; the National level of National Register of Historlc Places Signature of the Keeper significance is the property is being recommended by Amended Items in Nomination: of the OH SHPo.The form is officially amended to make this subject to the following exceptions, exclusions, or amendments, NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF 45TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: NOMINATOR: STATE N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS : RECOM./CRITERIA Historian 8/06/92 8/20/92 DATE REJECT MULTIPLE RETURN DISCIPLINE REVIEWER PERIOD: 7/06/92 OTHER: PDIL: EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET DATE RECEIVED: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION _descriptive text _summary paragraph _clarity _applicable criteria _relating significance to the resource _relationship of integrity to significance _other GEOGRAPHICAL DATA _acreage verbal boundary description ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _sketch maps USGS maps - _photographs _presentation current FUNCTION materials DESCRIPTION count historic context completeness Period BIBLIOGRAPHY CLASSIFICATION Builder/Architect architectural classification SIGNIFICANCE Date justification of areas checked Specific dates Phone Signed boundary justification justification of exception Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to OTHER COMMENTS Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Statement of Significance one paragraph) UTMS Brecksulle Trailside Museum 1 of 21 Brecksvu lle Trailside Museum 3 of 21 Cuuahoga County, OH Brecksville Trailside Museum 6 of 21 Brecksville Trailside Museum 7 of 21 Brecksville Trailside Museum 8 of 2l Brecksville Trailside Museum Brecksulle Trailside Museum 10 of 21 Brecksville Trailside Museum Brecksuille Trailside Museum OPEN COME Breclesuille Trailside Museum 13 of 21 Brecksuille Trailside Museum Brecksville Trailside Museum 15 of 21 16 of 21 Brecksuille Trailside Museum Brecksville Trailside Museum 17 of 21 18 of 21 Brecksvuille Trailside Museum INFORMATION 19 of 21 OUR MISSIONS Brecksuille Trailside Museum 21 of 21 Breckville Trailside Museum 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) NORTHFIELD, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NORTHFIELD QUADRANGLE UNITED STATES RECEIVED MAR 2 3 1992 March 17, 1992 Mrs.
Barbara Powers, Department Head Planning, Inventory & Registration Ohio Historical Society 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Dear Mrs. Powers: On behalf of the City of Brecksville, I strongly offer our endorsement for the Brecksville Trailside Museum to be nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. This area is one of the truly outstanding features of the Metroparks. This site, located within our City, has been and will continue to be a focal point of the Brecksville Reservation. Its significance to the history of the Park is absolutely noteworthy and this recognition and listing on the National Register will serve as a future commitment to its On a personal note, being the owner of a residence listed on the National Register, I can state with personal knowledge that this program would be most fitting for this site and vice versa.
Please feel free to call upon me if you wish further information or if I can be of further N. Hruby Mr. Vern J. Hartenburg, Cleveland Metroparks Mr. Jeff Brown, Regional Coordinator Mr. Carl Casvecchia, Jr., Nomination Preparer State Senator Grace Drake State Representative Frank Mal (216) 526-4351 Mayor NOACA JNH/kn future preservation. Sincerely yours, City of Brecksville assistance in seeing this become a reality. RECEIVED APR 0 6 1992 Grace L. Drake Heatth and Ruman Services Columbus, Ohio 48266-0604 Science and Technology 1-800-282-0258 - Toll Tree Education, Retirement and Aging District Office: Transportation April 2, 1992 Mrs. Barbara Powers, Department Head Columbus, OH 43211-2497 Dear Mrs. Powers: cc: Mayor Hruby 216-248-9297 continue Enclosure Reservation. 614-466-7505 The National Register. GD/et Places.
State Senator Sincerely, Statehouse Ohio Historical Society any questions, please contact my office. Iam writing to you to urge that the Brecksville Trailside This area is one of the truly outstanding features 1982 Velma Ave. Highwaye and Committees: Economic Development, The site is very significant to the history the Metroparks 22nd District Brecksville Museum be nominated for the National Register of Historic of the Cleveland Metroparks. and would bea great addition to the Ohio Senate Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1982 Velma Avenue JUL 06 1992 Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Fax: 297-2411 June 29, 1992 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Please contact me if you have any questions. W.
Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer SOCIETY Monroe County 614/297-2470 REGISTER Cuyahoga HISTORICAL Enclosures NATIONAL Sincerely, Ohio Historical Center Brecksville Trailside Museum New Submissions Salem Church SINCE 1885 National Park Service Department of the Interior Enclosed are two (2) new National Register nominations. All the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. OHIO