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The Brimfield Memorial House Association
Mission Statement
In order to save an historic Brimfield Township landmark from the wrecking ball in 1963, the Brimfield Memorial House Association (BMHA) was formed. The same day the Association was officially organized, September 19th, Lawrence Bryner, first Board President signed the bill of sale purchasing the Kelso House from the Shell Oil Company. The price was one dollar.
The original BMHA Charter Members were: Barbara and Lawrence Bryner, Eva and Ralph Bunker, Elsie and Melvin B. Duncan, Melba Edmunds, Agnes and Michael Haska, Bernice and William Heasley, Olive Hobbs, Richard and Ruth Jameson, Carl C. Jones, Michael Keegan, Carol McCormick, Cora Lee and Edgar McCormick, Hazel McGovern, Julia M. Moulton, Lillian Fowler Overholt, Cyrus T. Plough, Mr. And Mrs. W.D. Powell, Kenneth Robenstein, Philip R. Shriver, Ruth and Winan Snyder, C.M. and Lois Stewart, Harry and Vernie Twitchell, Viola Twitchell, Dolores and Earl Wertenberger, Aleda and Glen Wise.
Thus began Brimfield Township’s historical society, dedicated to the preservation of its culture and history. The spirit of volunteerism has been the greatest part of the success and growth of the Association. The forty-one Charter Members signed on with determination and raised enough money to move William Kelso’s Inn, built in1833, from its original site south of Brimfield Center to newly purchased land next to Brimfield Elementary School.
Nine original volunteers gathered on September 20th, 1963 and held the first work day to ready the Kelso House for the journey to its new location. The Greek Revival style house remains the focus of the Commons today. Over the years, a garden house, corncrib, granary, and barn have been added to the grounds.
The BMHA is governed by a nine member Board of Trustees that meets monthly from September through May. A general meeting of the BMHA membership takes place in June. The Board employs a curator to oversee museum exhibits and selected events.
An historical account of the founding and the growth of the BMHA is found in: Working to Make It Happen: Thirty Years of Historic Preservation, The Brimfield Memorial House Association, Inc. by Edgar L. McCormick published by The Kelso House Press (1993). Copies are available for purchase at the Kelso House or call 330-673-1058 for more information.
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