Massillon, Ohio
Spring Hill Historic Home, Inc.
Spring Hill Historic Home Welcome Center
Farmhouse Adaptive Reuse
Programming & Feasibility, Adaptive Reuse
2022-2024
The Spring Hill Historic Home is an 1820s farmhouse and grounds originally settled by prominent New England Quakers, Thomas and Charity Rotch, and later occupied by three generations of the Wales Family. As the Wales were supporters of the abolitionist movement, they opened their home to freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. In 1966, the home and grounds were saved from redevelopment and since 1973, the property has been a historic site open to the public with the goal of sharing its historical importance with the community.
In late 2022, the Spring Hill Historic Home began the preliminary planning stages for the construction of a Welcome Center to augment the visitor experience to the historic home and property. Landmarks SGA led the design team for this project, which included a feasibility study, vehicular pattern planning and site design for the visitor experience. Floor plan options were explored and evaluated with the use of 3-D renderings and sketches. The aesthetics of the new construction had a goal of being compatible but differentiated from the architectural characteristics of the historic house. Site considerations included: ADA access. Stormwater retention, exterior event space, and open space planning.