News, articles, and comments.
Here’s the collection of news articles, posts, and other interesting items about the project to restore and preserve the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse as well as the history of Northampton Township.
Exterior reconstruction of the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse is officially underway! Preservation professionals call projects such as this a "scene setter" since the focus is only on the outside. A. Caspersen Inc. of Cuyahoga Falls is taking on the project. We are very excited that a locally owned, well respected, and trustworthy company is handling this important task. Friends of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse spoke with Sara Kline, Superintendent of the Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation Department on August 11 and learned the construction fencing would be installed by as early as the next day. On August 12, the fencing was put up by Acclaim Fence & Tree Service. The following actions are planned as a part of the first phase of reconstruction:• Asbestos removal will take place first, along with mold removal and a general interior clean up• Followed by deconstruction of the 1950’s additions (kitchen, garage, & breezeway on the back of the house)• Roof repairs will take place after the deconstruction phase before winter sets in The goal is for the project to be handled in 2 phases. It is possible it may require an additional phase but that is yet to be seen. If more reconstruction work is able to be done this year, the Parks and Recreation Department will try to get as much completed as they can. As with all projects, there may be changes or delays based on weather, budget, and unknown factors in the beginning stages. FOKSF continues to support and offer assistance to the City/Parks & Rec. We are working on separate project with the Parks & Recreation Department that highlights the historical significance of the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse. There is more information on that project to be revealed at a later date! 
Keyser-Swain Farmhouse Window and Door Restoration Proposal
Click here to read the full proposal made to the City and the Parks & Rec Department for the Pro Bono offer FOKSF has made.
Renovations are approved by the Design & Historic Review Board and are to begin soon!
The November 18th Design & Historic Review Board Meeting was extremely productive, and we are pleased with the outcome. The City of Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation department applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) last month to get approval from the Design & Historic Review Board (DHRB) to begin exterior-only renovations for the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse. These plans were presented by the Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation Superintendent, Sara Kline. All interested individuals in attendance that had questions or comments about the project were able to make their voice heard during the meeting.
Some of our main concerns were that there is uncertainty of restoring/reusing any original windows and doors. Also mentioned was the use of “modern materials” that will have “period appropriate looks”. Another concern was why there was no mention of the roof replacement timeline. Also, there was no indication on the applicant’s plan of saving the 1877 additions. It was also stated that there is no intention to update the inside of the farmhouse at any time in the future. Once the exterior is rehabilitated, the farmhouse will be locked, and no interior access will be permitted. This is unfortunate, considering all of the potential adaptive re-use possibilities that could exist. The project is expected to be completed in phases and take anywhere from 1-3 years.
The Board also made their comments and suggestions known. There were several valid points brought up by the Board Chairwoman, Janna Amole. She stated that we have a situation that went from “Demolition due to neglect” to “the historic structure will now be saved and restored on the outside… but will never have potential indoor use for the community?” In the end, the DHRB approved the COA under the condition that the 1877 additions remain within the project scope…. THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!
This is excellent progress and we are still so very grateful the City made the decision not to tear down the farmhouse. We remain hopeful that plans will shift into an adaptive reuse situation as time goes on. We still also hope that the City will want to work together with us and take advantage of the help we have repeatedly offered. The City spokesperson stated in a recent Falls Press News article that the City’s decision regarding not choosing to work with FOKSF on this project was due to “the purpose of keeping consistency with planning efforts in a municipal park space.”
In the meantime, the farmhouse is still standing, and the oldest parts are being saved. We are very happy that a positive result was achieved and we will continue to monitor the progress of this project.
Sarah & Beth
FOKSF presents a new concept to Mayor Walters:
“Old Northampton Historic District in Keyser Park”
FOKSF has a new idea for the future of Keyser Park that includes restoring the barn and farmhouse.
Citizens group moves ahead to restore 19th century farmhouse
More on the FOKSF partnership with
Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron!
Since 1984, Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron (PTP) actively promotes and encourages the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and adaptive reuse of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods that are of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County. Friends of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse has joined PTP to partner together to save the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse. PTP will act as the legal entity and fiscal agent of the proposed project. FOKSF and PTP have suggested that the City of Cuyahoga Falls and PTP enter into a license agreement together. This would enable FOKSF, acting as a subcommittee under the umbrella of PTP, to begin working on the farmhouse restoration. The partnership with the City of Cuyahoga Falls is still under consideration and has not yet been made official. Friends of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse and Progress Through Preservation hope to have this commitment solidified very soon.
FOKSF Meets with City Officials a 2nd Time!
Preservation Ohio has selected the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse as one of the most at-risk historic sites in State of Ohio.
FOKSF nominated the house in April to be considered for Preservation Ohio's 2021 Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites List. The list was revealed on May 28th and KSF is the 2nd property on it! Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future. Read the entire article for Preservation Ohio's 2021 OMEHS List here.
The Akron Beacon Journal published an article discussing KSF making the 2021 OMEHS List along with the 1927 Hudson High School!
Click here to access the article.
Our group of Historic Building Experts have completed their initial inspections!
Our team of Historic Building Experts have all agreed that the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse is 100% salvageable! FOKSF is working to hone in on all of the particulars concerning Phase 1 of this restoration project. A future meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board to discuss Phase 1 will be forthcoming.
Fallen corbel recovered from front porch
Read the Restoration Project Proposal being sent to the City of Cuyahoga Falls
The Friends Of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse are meeting with city officials on Monday May 10th to discuss the proposal of the restoration of the farmhouse. The committee has spoken to numerous restoration experts and preservationists who have all given their insights as to what it will take to fully restore the house. The committee is also going to propose to use the house as a “historic renovation hybrid” mixed use building in order to give it purpose for future use while still maintaining it’s historic charm and value to the area. The full proposal can be found here.
More on the FOKSF partnership with
Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron!
Since 1984, Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron (PTP) actively promotes and encourages the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and adaptive reuse of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods that are of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County. Friends of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse has joined PTP to partner together to save the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse. PTP will act as the legal entity and fiscal agent of the proposed project. FOKSF and PTP have suggested that the City of Cuyahoga Falls and PTP enter into a license agreement together. This would enable FOKSF, acting as a subcommittee under the umbrella of PTP, to begin working on the farmhouse restoration. The partnership with the City of Cuyahoga Falls is still under consideration and has not yet been made official. Friends of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse and Progress Through Preservation hope to have this commitment solidified very soon.
FOKSF Meets with City Officials a 2nd Time!
Preservation Ohio has selected the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse as one of the most at-risk historic sites in State of Ohio.
FOKSF nominated the house in April to be considered for Preservation Ohio's 2021 Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites List. The list was revealed on May 28th and KSF is the 2nd property on it! Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future. Read the entire article for Preservation Ohio's 2021 OMEHS List here.
The Akron Beacon Journal published an article discussing KSF making the 2021 OMEHS List along with the 1927 Hudson High School!
Click here to access the article.
Our group of Historic Building Experts have completed their initial inspections!
Our team of Historic Building Experts have all agreed that the Keyser-Swain Farmhouse is 100% salvageable! Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal article with details. FOKSF is working to hone in on all of the particulars concerning Phase 1 of this restoration project. A future meeting the Parks and Recreation Board to discuss Phase 1 will be forthcoming.
More photos from the inspections are on out Facebook page here.
Citizen’s group wants to save 19th century farmhouse in Cuyahoga Falls
Falls News Press May 15, 2021
You can also access the article online here.
Read the Restoration Project Proposal being sent to the City of Cuyahoga Falls
The Friends Of Keyser-Swain Farmhouse are meeting with city officials on Monday May 10th to discuss the proposal of the restoration of the farmhouse. The committee has spoken to numerous restoration experts and preservationists who have all given their insights as to what it will take to fully restore the house. The committee is also going to propose to use the house as a “historic renovation hybrid” mixed use building in order to give it purpose for future use while still maintaining it’s historic charm and value to the area. The full proposal can be found here.
Falls News-Press, September 24, 1989
"They plan to buy it and make a working farm out of it and someday this house and barn will be museums."
"Mrs. Swain considers her land the most priceless bequest she can leave to future generations."