S E PTE M B E R 2025 • M ARI EMONT, OHI O • VOLUME L • NO. 1
Historic Ferris House Becomes The Mariemont Museum BY CLAIRE KUPFERLE An intriguing new addition to the Village of Mariemont is quietly taking shape on Plainville Road. Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) is creating an education center and repository of Mariemont history in the venerable Ferris House across Plainville Road from the tennis courts. There is an abundance of history in our small village, and MPF is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories that have shaped our community. The goal of the museum will be to share the inspiring stories that form our history, and to keep Mary Emery’s original vision alive for future generations. The concept of a Mariemont Museum dates back to 1930, when the Mariemont Company deeded the Ferris house to the Thomas J. Emery Memorial “to be forever devoted to public use for museum or kindred purposes.” However, the Ferris house passed out of Village ownership for almost 90 years until it was purchased by MPF in 2022.
In This Issue Outstanding Citizen 2025: Kim Beach.....................................................6 Architect Series: Hubert G. Ripley Group.............................8 Resident Spotlight: Thomas Gilmore.......................................10 Dogwood Park Renovation Updates.....................................................12 Town Crier 50th Anniversary Commemorative Spread........................17
The museum will have permanent, rotating, and special exhibits. Permanent exhibits will showcase information about archaeological excavations and artifacts from the Late Ft. Ancient Native American settlement, information about the pioneers who are buried in the cemetery next to the chapel, and stories about Mary Emery and the creation of the Village of Mariemont. Special exhibits could include Village government, Memorial Day student essays and Citizens of the Year, the history of the Town Crier publication, and much more. Organizers anticipate that the museum will be a must-see attraction when friends and family come to visit. Lectures, tours, small classroom activities and other programs are planned in addition to the permanent and rotating exhibits. The first of these exhibits has been completed as a prototype to demonstrate the
The new pollinator garden at the Ferris House museum’s potential and to help with fundraising. It is known as the Mary Emery Room and tells the story of the incredible philanthropy of Mary Emery and the Emery family, leading up to the creation of Mariemont. It will be used as an example of the museum concept and used for fundraising at this time. A soft opening for the museum is planned for 2026, with a grand opening scheduled for 2027, commemorating 100 years after the death of Mary Emery. The total cost of the entire project is estimated to be $1.3 million. It began with MPF spending $600,000 to acquire and secure the building, which is hidden in plain sight at 3905 Plainville Road. MPF, during its current silent campaign with foundations and individuals, has raised $100,000 of the Continued on page 5