AT THE ALLEN / FALL 2024 / 19 FLW HOUSE / HISTORIC YEAR WRIGHT’S USONIAN GEM DRAWS CROWDS IN MILESTONE YEAR TheWeltzheimer/Johnson House experienced unprecedented demand this year, with tours selling out months in advance due to heightened interest sparked by the solar eclipse and the house’s 75th anniversary. Other exciting events this past year include a visit and a donation. “There was a confluence of events and increased interest in people wanting to visit the house throughout the season,” said Jill Greenwood, Eric & Jane Nord Family Curator of Education. “It started in April with the solar eclipse bringing a large number of visitors to the area. This happened to coincide with the 75th anniversary of theWeltzhemier family moving into the house. To celebrate, we had cake and prosecco in glorious spring weather. It was the kind of festive day that I think Margaret and Ellen would have loved.” Margaret Weltzheimer was the impetus for the Wright-designed home, and Ellen Johnson saved it after contractor alterations, and then donated it to the college upon her death in 1992. Earlier in the year, Mary Ann (Weltzheimer) Hunsicker, one of the original family members who is now 90, wanted to see the house again. She shared photographs and stories as she walked around her childhood home. Mary Ann is shown below in her old bedroom. One memory was a middle school dance held in the house (pictured below). One of the house’s perforated boards (wood sections cut in geometric patterns sandwiching a pane of glass) was recently up for auction. Catharina Meints Caldwell was the successful bidder and donated the panel back to the house. She shared, “During the late 1970s, my husband, James Caldwell, and I spent several years slowly restoring the 1893 ‘Andrews’ house at 195 Forest Street. During the restoration, two neighbors showed up with parts of the old house, which we were able to use, and I was very happy to see sections of a house reunited. So when I saw the auction item from the Weltzheimer house I was excited to see another reunion.” In the 1960s, a developer removed all of the north side perforated boards to allowmore light into the hallway interior. The original panels were dispersed until Ellen Johnson lovingly restored this area with local contractor Glenn Hobbs and his son Terry, who still lives in Oberlin. We are grateful to both Mary Ann and Catharina for sharing information and returning a portion of history to theWeltzheimer/Johnson House. JOHN SEYFRIED
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