“Imagine Ohio showcasing its heart.” That’s precisely what happened with the Ohio House. This remarkable structure stands as a testament to Ohio’s resources and craftsmanship. The Ohio House is the only remaining state exhibit from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial International Exhibition. It’s also known as the World’s Fair.
Let’s step back to 1876. Twenty-six states erected buildings in West Fairmount Park for the Centennial International Exhibition. Ohio chose to make a statement. They transported tons of native sandstone and lime from 20 quarries. This material was used to construct the Ohio House. A large corn stalk finial topped this Victorian Gothic structure.
Ohio House served as the state’s exhibit. It showcased Ohio’s sandstone. The sandstone came from 21 quarries. These stones formed the very building we see. The Ohio House is significant. It is the only state exhibit that remains from the exposition. Memorial Hall and two small comfort stations also survive.
After the fair, the Ohio House opened only intermittently. It was shuttered for decades. In 1976, it briefly reopened as an information office for the Bicentennial. The Centennial Cafe opened in 2007. It later became the Hungry Bear Cafe. It closed again in 2016.
The Fairmount Park Conservancy chose Ohio House as its base. This demonstrated a commitment to revitalizing West Fairmount Park. The Conservancy felt the park had been neglected.
In 2020, the Fairmount Park Conservancy began renovating the Ohio House. Key staff began working from the building in 2021. In May 2023, there was a public opening celebration.
The restoration of the Ohio House involved much-needed repairs. The team preserved as much architecture as possible. They often used archival photos. The building was repainted. All three porches had rotten floors and needed fixing. The original brickwork on the chimneys required reinforcement. A three-inch slab of concrete flooring had to be removed without damaging the structure. Removable partition walls were added.
The exterior work took seven months. A grant from The 1772 Foundation paid for it. Interior work took six months. The Ballard Spahr law firm also donated in memory of Frederic L. Ballard.
Allison Schapker is the Conservancy’s chief project officer. Coincidentally, she is from Ohio. The exterior displays the names of all the quarries. These are engraved in stone. You can see where each piece of the Ohio House came from.
The Ohio House sits prominently. It is on the corner of Montgomery and Belmont. Everyone knows this building. The Conservancy’s CEO, Maura McCarthy, said the house provides a solid base for the organization. The Ohio House is a visual commitment to West Philadelphia. The Fairmount Park Conservancy is here for the long term. So, as you stand before the Ohio House, remember its journey. It went from state exhibit to cafe to Conservancy headquarters. It represents Ohio’s legacy. It also represents Philadelphia’s commitment to preserving history.