***NEWS***
ODD FELLOWS OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY AUGUST 2, 2025
July 3, 2025
It’s been a year since the New Haven Ohio History League purchased the 1850 Odd Fellows Lodge on the New Haven Prairie Street triangle. To celebrate the anniversary, the League is sponsoring an OPEN HOUSE during the August 2, annual New Haven Methodist Church Ice Cream Social event, from 5 to 7 pm.
We invite all area residents to stop in and tour the recently renovated Odd Fellows building at 3934 Center Street and be the first visitors to the League’s newly established “New Haven Firelands Frontier Museum” and enjoy our displays of local artifacts, photographs and memorabilia of New Haven Townships colorful and historically significant past. We hope to meet you and your families!
Please support the League’s programs by participating in our “Meat Bundle” fundraising raffle as seen in newspapers and our Facebook page. Meat Bundle ticket donations are $10 a piece or 5 tickets for $45. The raffle drawing will be held after 7PM that day. Winners need not be present.
As always, your friends and neighbors at the NHOHL sincerely appreciate your kind donations and support of our activities.
The NHOHL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. You can also donate by visiting our page.
NEW HAVEN OHIO HISTORY LEAGUE, INC
PO BOX 25
NEW HAVEN OHIO 44850-0025
NEWS***JULY 7, 2025***NEWS
New Haven – The New Haven Ohio History League announced today that Phase 5 of the renovation work on the 1850 New Haven Odd Fellows has commenced. With the bulk of the interior electrical, mechanical and construction now complete, Phase 5 work includes repair and emergency preservation measures of the exterior roof, eaves and side walls. While the building has had various exterior work done over its many years, there have been virtually no improvements or maintenance performed by its previous owners in decades. Since purchasing the historic structure one year ago, the League has engaged in a multi-phase renovation which started in October 2024.
Renovations include a completely new restroom and utility room with the associated fixtures and mechanical work performed by Fenner Plumbing of Plymouth, new forced air heating and air conditioning system with new ducting systems done by MR Heating & Cooling of Plymouth, replacement of all lighting fixtures and related wiring and the addition of basement lighting and numerous electrical upgrades performed by Great Lakes Electric of Milan, alterations and upgrade of the wastewater plant by Babcock Excavating of New Haven, numerous interior and exterior repairs, renovations and painting by C.R. Woodyard Contractors and landscaping work by Alvarez Landscaping, both firms from Norwalk.
Phase 5 work includes inspection, repair and painting of all exterior wood surfaces, application of commercial grade elastomeric roof coating, installation of new gutters and downspouts and replacement of the exterior electrical service entrance. C.R. Woodyard and Great Lakes Electric will be on site to complete the work. With completion of Phase 5, the League plans to hold a limited open house during the August 2, New Haven Church Ice Cream Social event sponsored by the New Haven Methodist Church. Plan to visit New Haven on Saturday August 2, from 5-7 pm for a relaxing experience you wont soon forget.
The League wants to thank all those who have generously donated funds to make the preservation of New Haven’s historic Odd Fellows a reality. Our work is not done. The exterior work is a temporary fix. We urgently need your donations for Phase 6 which is the total restoration of the building exterior. Please consider joining and donating to the New Haven Ohio History League. The NHOHL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. Your donations are deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes to the extent allowed by law. Please help the League complete its work at our local treasure. Mail your donation of $5, $10, $100 or whatever you can afford to the New Haven Ohio History League, Inc. PO Box 25, New Haven, Oh 44850, or visit us on Facebook or our website to donate today
Any questions regarding this article contact Justin Savage of the New Haven Ohio History League. 419.668.0787
LEAGUE PURCHASES HISTORIC ODD FELLOWS LODGE
NEW HAVEN, July 25, 2024 - The New Haven Ohio History League announced today, that thanks to a generous donor, it has purchased the historic New Haven I.O.O.F., or Odd Fellows building located on the village center at Old New Haven. The League plans to begin renovations almost immediately, returning it to its original appearance and create a venue for various local activities. The building was built between 1849-50 at a cost of about $600.00, mostly from donations of local citizens, and the second floor was the regular meeting place for Odd Fellows Lodge No. 41 which was commissioned in 1845. The local Easter Rebekah Lodge No. 458 for women also met in that same place. The Lodges were officially disbanded in June of 2012. Thanks to the donations by the Duane Slessman family and others, the League is the caretaker of the property’s original deed, the Lodge No. 41, 1845 Charter, the Lodge’s handwritten meeting ledgers and other I.O.O.F. regalia and artifacts. Several years ago, the building’s owners where awarded the Century Home designation and insignia by the Firelands Historical Society. The insignia is also in the safekeeping of the League.
Renovation work will be extensive and take several years to complete. Progress will depend on the donations and generosity of the League’s members and the New Haven Township community at large. The Lodge has been a Township landmark for nearly 175 years and is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the Firelands area. The aim of the restoration is to make the building the showcase of New Haven’s Village center in celebration of the community’s unique history since its founding in 1815. The building will also serve as the League’s library and repository for its historical collections.
If you would like to be a part of this historic renovation, won’t you consider making a donation today? Your donation is tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Please mail your check payable to the New Haven Ohio History League, Inc. at PO Box 25, New Haven, OH 44850. The NHOHL is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. newhavenohiohistory.org.
Please visit our link to "Saving a Community Landmark"
https://gofund.me/8b11b3ad
New Haven Township Village Hall
The lighting project for the New Haven Ohio Historical Marker and
Village Hall was recently completed.
Passers-by on Center Street/RT 61 can now enjoy our historic feature.
Village Hall was recently completed.
Passers-by on Center Street/RT 61 can now enjoy our historic feature.
Old New Haven Cemetery Tombstone Repair & Restoration Project
AT
Our work has begun!
Won’t you help us preserve the heritage of our forebearers? Honor the final resting places of New Haven Township’s first settlers. These men, women and children who braved the wild Fire Lands frontier in the early 1800’s and built early New Haven, Plymouth, Greenwich, Steuben and Chicago Junction are still with us. So too, are their descendants! Your support would be appreciated. Of the 787 grave markers, many more are in need of resetting and straightening.
Please see below for a downloadable PDF donation form.
Photos compliments of Brandon Perry
Won’t you help us preserve the heritage of our forebearers? Honor the final resting places of New Haven Township’s first settlers. These men, women and children who braved the wild Fire Lands frontier in the early 1800’s and built early New Haven, Plymouth, Greenwich, Steuben and Chicago Junction are still with us. So too, are their descendants! Your support would be appreciated. Of the 787 grave markers, many more are in need of resetting and straightening.
Please see below for a downloadable PDF donation form.
Photos compliments of Brandon Perry
The NHOHL has once again contracted to have several grave markers
straightened at our historic Old New Haven Cemetery at the corner of The
Plymouth Road (SR 61 S) and Skinner Road south of New Haven Village.
This photograph by Brandon Perry was taken at the perfect moment capturing the historic Caleb Palmer monument silhouetted against the late summer sky.
If you would like to make a donation to help the League make more improvements
and preserve our local heritage, please download the pdf form below.
images L-R: Ashel Skinner, Harriet Clark
images L-R: Wealthy & Joseph Skinner, Louise Mills
This restoration is that of New Haven Civil War veteran Pvt. George Raybuck who served with Company D 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
This marker was one of the many needing attention at Old New Haven Cemetery.
This marker was one of the many needing attention at Old New Haven Cemetery.
New Haven Ohio Historical Marker
New Haven was awarded this Ohio Historical Marker
which is presently on display on the Town Green in the Village center
The formal dedication took place Saturday,
October 23, 2021
Thanks to Barb Babcock and Karen Coffey Wilson for their work in acquiring the marker and the recognition it brings New Haven.
which is presently on display on the Town Green in the Village center
The formal dedication took place Saturday,
October 23, 2021
Thanks to Barb Babcock and Karen Coffey Wilson for their work in acquiring the marker and the recognition it brings New Haven.