Longwood Manor, Macedonia
The home of first Macedonia Mayor Colonel William Frew Long was constructed in 1924, and is owned by the community of Macedonia. Although great sentiment exists for the property, city officials consider the house to be a "dangerous building," and the Akron Beacon-Journal recently reported (see below) that they are moving ahead with demolition.
Longwood Manor is, according to supporters, the only tangible piece of local history left in the community. Paradoxically, the Longwood Manor Historical Society has been working to secure funding for renovation at the same time that the city was pursuing demolition. City officials claim that restoration would be prohibitively expensive, but supporters question whether or not effort has been made to secure part or all of that funding.
August 17, 2008 - Macedonia historical site could face wrecking ball - Akron Beacon Journal (includes photos)
Longwood Manor Historical Society
Photo: Longwood Manor Historical Society website
PO Staff
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Response: ricroracbocrollachic
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My comment is a response of the comment posted above about whether or not the Macedonia Longwood Manor Historical Society has made any efforts to establish funding and/or any efforts to preserve the Longwood Manor.
For the last year and half (1 1/2) I've been working deligently with Macedonia's Historical Society in the prevention of the Manor from being demolished and, find funding for restoration of the Longwood Manor, but we've had road blocks set up by Macedonia's City Council, claiming the Manor isn't worthy of being restored for which, is the City of Macedonia's contractual obligation, not the Historical Society's, per the language w/in the former owner's will w/in the section of the will requiring Macedonia to restore/maintain it's building codes, which is why the City of Macedonia 'leased' it to the Historical Society, passing the City's maintainence/preservation obligation onto the of the Historical Society.
The City of Macedonia set up a fund w/in their budget shortly after the Manor was donated specifically for the sole purpose of preserving the building, of which to date those funds are being used for municipal operating costs, not as agreed to by the former Mayor (original owner of Longwood Manor) and/or their own Ordinance.
Having said that, if the City of Macedonia would sign a contract w/the Historical Society granting them permission to apply for funds in their place and/or apply for them themselves and allow the Historical Society to oversee the project as an amendment to their current lease contract, then the Historical Society can restore the building and allow community events to take place in it and/or on the grounds. Once restored, the Historical Society has plans to provide a variety of community events that will attract customers/citizens of Macedonia and/or surrounding communities in an effort to use those funds to maintain the Manor upon it being restored.
So, don't believe that the City of Macedonia doesn't have the money, to restore it, they do and have for many years in an amount over $3 million dollars and growing.
And, don't believe that the Longwood Manor Historical Society hasn't applied for funding and/or attempted to prevent the Manor from being demolished. Until just recently the City refused to even talk to any Historical Society members and, only has due to pressure from a few of us who know the truth, facts and agreement between the City and former owner of Longwood Manor.