Attention, barn enthusiasts, horse lovers and history buffs.
Discover Bath Barns will kick off its summer speaker series with a panel discussion titled “Raymond C. Firestone Barns: Farming, Fox Hunting and the Bath Pony Club.” The talk will take place at 7 p.m. July 8 at Firestone’s Pony Club Barn, 141 Remsen Road (next to Allardale Park). The event is free, but reservations are required at http://bathtownship.recdesk.com/ or 330-666-4007.
Lauray Farms, the former estate of the late Raymond C. Firestone (1908-1994), operated on 1,500 acres in the northwest corner of Bath Township. A few original buildings still stand, including the barn where the event will take place.
Panelists will share stories of the property throughout the years.
Featured speakers are Steve Swain, former Firestone farm manager; Juerg Schmid, Lauray Hunt, and master of hounds, West County Beagles; Sandy Taucher Brubaker, Lauray Hunt, and huntsman, West County Beagles; David Wyatt, alumni member of Bath Pony Club; and Dr. Sandra Gebhart, alumni member and co-commissioner of the Bath Pony Club
Two more speaker events are planned in the series:
∎ “Amish Barn Raising: The Power of Community,” 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Barker Barn, 3243 Yellow Creek Road, Bath. Jim Smucker, president of Keim Lumber, and Marcus Yoder, executive director of the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center and the Ohio Amish Library will discuss the cultural significance, practical aspects and community spirit of Amish barn raising.
∎ “Barn Conservation: Keeping Barns Useful,” 7 p.m. Sept. 9, at Crown Point Ecology Center Barn, 3220 Ira Road, Bath. Christian & Son President Rudy Christian, a founding member and past president of the Timber Framers Guild and Friends of Ohio Barns, will discuss the conservation and restoration of historic barns and the tradespeople who built them.
Discover Bath Barns is an initiative of the Heritage Corridors of Bath committee, which trustees formed in 2023 to preserve Bath Township’s historic nature. The group’s goals are to aid owners in the preservation of historic barns and to enhance the experience of visitors as they travel the scenic byways of Bath.
Visit http://bathtownship.org/discoverbathbarns for more information.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Discover Bath Barns panelists to discuss Raymond Firestone estate
Reporting by Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
