On September 14, 2013, West Creek Conservancy hosted a ceremony at Parma’s Henninger Homestead to dedicate the site’s newly installed Ohio Historical marker. The dedication ceremony featured speakers including The Honorable Tim DeGeeter, Mayor of Parma, Chuck Germana, Cuyahoga County District 4 Councilman, Dave Vasarhelyi, Founder of West Creek Conservancy and Derek Schafer, Executive Director, West Creek Conservancy.
Guests were invited to view a variety of historical pieces related to the homestead including original house plans, photos of the Henninger family and other historical documents surrounding the home and the region’s canal-era heritage. Tours of the homestead, built in 1849, were offered, and Henninger family members Janice Henninger Sheets, Lenore Henninger and Kristen Wilkinson were present at the dedication and shared their memories of the family and life at the homestead. Janice Henninger Sheets, 92, was actually born in the home and remained there until her marriage in 1988. Still residing in Parma, Janice escorted guests through the home and offered personal insight and memories of her family and events that took place in the home.
The homestead, still in early stages of renovation, is in need of a great deal of restoration before it can be transformed into a community space that will feature a new Visitor Center, trailhead and picnic area along the West Creek Greenway.
Generous supporters of the project came forth on Saturday during the dedication ceremony to sponsor various aspects of the restoration. A total of 12 of the 20 windows in the homestead were sponsored by individuals who contributed $300 per window to assist in funding the replacement of those windows necessary to complete the restoration. Many also purchased commemorative engraved bricks that line the walkway around the Ohio Historical Marker.
It is not too late to be a part of this historic transformation! There are a number of unique ways that you can contribute to these efforts by becoming an active supporter of West Creek’s many projects.
- Sponsor one or more of the Henninger Homestead’s windows for a contribution of $300 per window
- Sponsor one or more of the Henninger Homestead’s doors for a contribution of $1000 per door
- Purchase a commemorative engraved brick honoring your family or business for $60 for a 4” X 8” brick or $120 for an 8” x 8” brick
- Donate $75 for a limited edition, numbered, watercolor print of the Henninger Homestead, signed by local artist Craig Peterson, or $100 for a watercolor that will include a special remark on the print from the artist.