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Boardman Park Historical Village gets new addition
Photo
Patsy Anne and Don Zabel sit in the historical Amish buggy they donated to the historic village at Boardman Park. They donated the buggy along with a steppingstone that has been in Patsy Anne’s family for more than 80 years.
BOARDMAN
Generations of Patsy Anne Zabel’s family grew up with this steppingstone at their homes.
From her uncle’s farm in New Springfield, to her parents’ farm on the corner of Hitchcock Road and U.S. Route 224, to her and her husband’s home on Hitchcock Road, the stepping-stone was part of their family history for more than 80 years.
“That steppingstone sat in our front yard for 50 years,” said Patsy Anne’s husband, Don, recalling that their children used to play on it.
Now the stone, along with a historic Amish buggy, will be part of Boardman’s history.
The Zabels, who have been members of the Boardman Historical Society for more than 30 years, donated the stone and buggy to Boardman Park at a ceremony Wednesday that was attended by park and township officials.
“It needed a new home,” Patsy Anne said. “I felt that it should be someplace permanent.”
The steppingstone and buggy arrived at the park last fall, and the buggy was restored by the park staff over the winter. The stone and buggy sit in the Historical Village, which is nestled behind the St. James Meeting House that is visible from U.S. Route 224.
Dan Slagle, Boardman Park executive director, said the stone and buggy make a great addition to the village because they are not only historical, but unique. He envisions wedding parties walking over from St. James to take pictures there.
The Historical Village includes the meeting house (formerly St. James Episcopal Church), the Oswald Detchon House, the Schiller-Chuey Summer Kitchen and the Beardsley-Walter-Diehm House. The village also has herb gardens, and now the stepping stone and buggy.
The buggy has a long history of its own, although exactly how long is a mystery.
Dan and Eileen Yoder, longtime friends of the Zabels, found the buggy in Enon Valley, Pa., and brought it to them. Patsy Anne said she thought it would go well with the steppingstone.
Dan, who grew up Amish and said he was practically raised in a buggy, said that though he found it in Pennsylvania, he can tell that it was built and used in Ohio because of its shape.
Wednesday’s ceremony not only dedicated the new addition to the village, but also was a chance for the park to thank Don and Patsy Anne for their many years of service.
“We are here most importantly to recognize this wonderful couple,” said Boardman Park Treasurer Joyce Mistovich.
“Thank you so much to Don and Patsy Anne for your continued dedication and devotion to Boardman Park at large, and the Historical Village, and to our community of Boardman.”