August Spotlight

Spotlight: Troy-Hayner Cultural Center

Q: The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center has been open to the public since 1976, what was your mission when you first opened your doors? And how does that compare to your mission now?

A:Since 1976 ideas for the Hayner house have always focused on cultural events for the people of Troy. The founding committee members thought about the unique possibilities that this house could provide. Ideas suggested from the very beginning were art classes, art exhibits, historic exhibits, community meeting rooms, children’s events, musical performances, lectures, readings, plays. “You can see that we still use these early ideas as our focus and mission,” says Director, David Wion. Mr. Wion also pointed out, “Built into all these good ideas was a solid financial program to support them. The property was given to the Troy City Schools and is funded by a tax levy that covers approximately 85% of our annual budget. The residents of the Troy City School district have generously supported the levy over the years. Additional income is generated by The Friends of Hayner, a non-profit member organization, generous individual & corporate donations, and grants from the Troy Foundation and Duke Foundation. All revenue enables the Hayner to accomplish its goals to provide cultural activities for the citizens of Troy.”

Q: How many employees/volunteers does the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center have?

A: The Hayner is operated by twelve employees. Five are full-time staff and seven are part-time. The Hayner is organized with David Wion as the Director and Rachael Boezi as Assistant Director. The maintenance of the house falls under the direction of Ron Phyillaier and classes and exhibits and films are managed by Leona Sargent. Terrilynn Meece manages musical events, marketing and tech. It is the volunteer staff that adds the spark and vitality to all these activities. Assistant Director, Rachael Boezi pointed out, “The energy and ideas of our volunteers add that special element that makes everything come together. We easily have over 200 community members helping within any year. The ways that our volunteers offer support are things like committee positions, board positions, event support, Front Desk volunteers, administrative help, special projects and internships.”

Q: You have many events throughout the year at the Center, how many events would you say on average that you run each year?

A: Hayner’s focus is classes, exhibits, music but there is so much more going on at the center. There is a travel club, a prestigious poetry event, a film series, holiday and special pop-up events as well as an artisan gift gallery. In a typical year the Hayner will celebrate from 27 to 30 events with five different holiday events such as the Valentine Dinner and Show, Boo Bash for kids, Hayner Gift Gallery and this year we added a collaborative event with the I.D.E.A Troy organization for a Juneteenth opening celebration. The signature Holiday event has always been the Holiday Open House weekend with Santa and puppet shows for the kids on the first Saturday in December and the Opening of the Décor on Sunday with refreshments and music in the East Room all day. In addition to the Holiday events there are about eight art or historic exhibits in the house throughout the year. There is no admission fee to visit the house during regular open hours.

You can follow this link to learn more about they Troy-Hayner Cultural Center's events throughout the year: https://www.troyhayner.org/happenings.html

Q: What challenges has the Center had to face and overcome?

A: Ron Phyillaier is Hayner’s building and grounds coordinator. He oversees one of the most rewarding challenges that the Hayner faces. He says, “The upkeep of the building is one of the most important things we do for the city of Troy. Making this building shine enhances the downtown and likewise affects us all through our own property values. It is an historic building and must be repaired and preserved with all the historic aspects in mind. We have a clay roof, three HVAC systems with 17 air handlers and 18” thick stone walls. There are almost 100 leaded glass windows and doors and over 32 plastered walls and ceilings. Not to mention 3 antique clocks! It can be a real challenge to find craftsmen that can keep us going.”

Q: What is the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center’s long-term goals?

A: The Mission of the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is to preserve and maintain the Hayner Mansion as a cultural resource center for the present and as an historical legacy for future generations of the community of Troy, Ohio.

The mission of the Hayner has changed remarkably little over the years. Hayner’s goals in 2023 are pretty much the same as they were in 1976. One of the center’s very first events was the Holiday Open House, which may be bigger and better now but is still based on the same idea. One of the very first classes was Ballet Schreffler started in 1977. These lessons for young girls were taught by Cyndy Schreffler, who is still teaching ballet today. “Classes, exhibits and music have always been at the heart of our cultural offerings. We may have broader ideas,” says Director David Wion, “with more opportunities and wider openness but we still work toward the same mission, to bring easily accessible cultural activities to the citizens of Troy.

Q: What elements of your Center do you think makes you so unique and so vital to the Troy/Miami Valley community

A: Many cultural centers struggle for funding and organizational structure. One of the most unique things about the Hayner is the stability of its organization. The Hayner has weathered economic upheavals, staff reorganization and all the typical growing pains of a non-profit. It was the wisdom of the original Board to structure in provisions for funding that have made all the difference. The Hayner staff can build programs instead of having to attend to the constant grind of fundraising. The staff can plan and dream up the next event instead of constantly seeking help like so many non-profits must. Hayner’s uniqueness has to do with the wisdom of the folks that originated the organization, a very dedicated staff who have the space and resources to make things happen and a host of volunteers that are the engine to the energy.

Q: What is something new that the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center has to offer?

A: One service that the cultural center provides to Troy is as a meeting place for community groups. This is a service that is offered to non-profit organizations like Toastmaster, Troy Lions, local history groups and book clubs that are in the district. The Hayner recently acquired a nice property behind the center on Short Street. “We are calling this the Cotner-Hayner Annex,” says Assistant Director, Rachael Boezi. “We would like to use the annex to offer support to our local youth organizations CISV and scout troups. This building is being renovated now with the needs of these organizations in mind. The plush carpeting in the Hayner house is an asset for business meetings but not really in-line with what might serve our youth organizations the best. We will create an easy clean-up space with room to play games and do activities. We are excited about the opportunity to support these groups that enrich the lives of our local youth.

Q: Are there any needs that Center has not met in the community, that you would like to serve in the future?

A: “We really value the ideas we get from the community about new events and projects” says event manager, Terrilynn Meece. “Some good ones that I have heard were a game night for young folks; a dating club for older folks; something to honor our veterans; a theater class for teens and a Mommy-baby circle. Not every good idea becomes a good event. The magic that makes the difference between a good idea and a good event is the vision and support of the community. Sometimes good ideas have to wait until someone is willing to come forward and invest some elbow grease to help make it happen, and there is the magic.”

Q: What is something about the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center that you think people would be surprised to learn about?

A: People are often surprised to learn that most of the activities at Hayner are free and open to the public. There is never an admission fee to visit the art and historic exhibits.

The concerts and most of the holiday events are free. “We may look like a country club,” says Terrilynn Meece, “but we always hope that everyone feels at home and finds their place here at the Hayner. Whether it is the personal enrichment of an art class or experiencing one of the events or activities, we hope we have found your button.”

Thank you from the Troy Chamber of Commerce to the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center for this wonderful interview!