Family gift launches history archive

WAKEMAN — Construction has begun on a new state-of-the-art history archive designed to preserve the heritage of Wakeman, Birmingham and the surrounding Firelands region. It's a project village officials say would not exist without the support of Roger and Joyce Howe. The archive will be located inside the Wakeman branch of the Huron County Community Library and will house historical documents, photographs, artifacts and digital materials, giving residents, students and researchers a central location to explore the area's past. The facility will include climate-controlled storage, enhanced security and dedicated research space, according to the village. A donor with roots in the community Roger, a successful entrepreneur, grew up on Breeze Hill along State Route 60 in Florence Township. Both he and his wife, Joyce, are 1957 graduates of Miami University, where their philanthropy has been widely recognized. The couple received the Philanthropists of the Year Award from the Miami University Alumni Association and the Miami University Foundation for their support of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence. Wakeman Mayor Christopher Hipp said those connections, both personal and historical, are what make the archive meaningful. "Roger has been a good family friend of the Burke family," Hipp said, referring to his mother's family. "My grandfather was the mayor of Wakeman back in the 50s and 60s, and this project means a lot to me." Hipp said the idea first took shape when he and Howe sat together at the family farm and has been going forward quickly ever since. "It wasn't even within the last year, Roger and I sat at his farm, which is Breezehill down on Route 60," he said. "I said, 'Roger, I'll draw something up.' And I drew a small addition to the side of the library, and we met again in a few months and it's just taken off." A rare project moving at rare speed Hipp noted that the project has progressed far more quickly than typical municipal construction. "You don't normally see a project that ever comes together this fast," he said. "They started it Monday and within five days they had complete footers and block laid and everything." Architect Dan Frederick, who also has Miami University ties, refined the plans after Hipp drafted the initial layout, according to Hipp. Fully funded — now and in the future Hipp confirmed that the Howes are covering the entire cost of construction. "They are paying for the entire construction of the addition," he said. He also emphasized that the couple is establishing an endowment to operate the archive permanently without taxpayer funding. "This will be no burden on anybody from the village," Hipp said. "This will be an endowment … to take care of the wages of someone to be up there." He added that staffing levels may scale up as the archive develops, particularly during digitization, when large amounts of material will be scanned and cataloged. Village officials said the collection will grow through public participation, and Hipp encouraged residents to step forward. "We are asking this community from surrounding areas from all over to get us things," he said. "If you scan these pictures, they're there forever. People can keep the hard copies. We just want people to come forward and share us the pictures that we probably never seen before." A legacy gift The mayor said the gift ensures the region's story will not be lost. "This is a project that Roger and Joyce have put so much into this community to make sure that people have somewhere to go and learn the history," he said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is anticipated in May, and the village said a firm opening date will be announced as construction progresses. "Together, we are committed to ensuring that the legacy of Wakeman-Birmingham is thoughtfully preserved and shared for generations to come," the village announcement read.