It’s a True Homecoming For Folger Family as House is Dedicated as a Landmark

This year’s Avon Lake Homecoming is a homecoming in the truest sense in the word for one of Avon Lake’s founding families.

Four members of the Folger family, whose relatives built the Folger Home (pictured) on the shores of Lake Erie in 1902, will serve as Grand Marshals in the Homecoming parade and participate in the dedication of the Folger Home as an Avon Lake historic landmark.

The building, now part of Veterans Park in Avon Lake (Lake Road and SR 83), has played an integral role in Avon Lake's history, serving in numerous capacities including City Hall, a dance hall and residential home of Thomas Folger, the former mayor of Elyria and head of the Ohio Grape Exchange in 1898-99.

Click here for a history of the Folger Home. 

“They will be in three vintage cars in the head of the parade,” Avon Lake Councilman David Kos said.

The Folgers are coming in from Texas and North Carolina for the Homecoming weekend.

Immediately following the parade, a ceremony will be held at the house, which is the third Avon Lake site to receive the designation by the  Avon Lake Historic Preservation Commission.

Previously, the Avon Lake (Lake Shore) Cemetery and Peter Miller House received designations, and plagues. The designation offers protections and possible grants for landmarks.

Thomas Folger Cushing, his wife Diana, Thomas’ son also named Thomas and his daughter Josephine will take part in the ceremony. Josephine, named after Thomas Folgers’ wife, is the author of a memoir on the family that Pam Hoffmann, president of the Avon Lake Landmark Preservation Society, will read from at the dedication.

Members of the Avon Lake marching band will play the national anthem and the American Legion Post 211 members will raise the flag.

“It’s appropriate to have the American Legion there since Thomas Folger fought in the Civil War,” Kos said.

Catherine Nowak, the head of the Avon Lake Historic Preservation Society will emcee the event and State Rep. Matt Lundy and Mayor Greg Zilka will speak. 

“At the conclusion of ceremony there will be an open house of home for 30 minutes where folks can come through and tour the building,” Kos said.

At 1 p.m., a private luncheon will be held for Friend of the Folger Home, Folger family members and members of several historical groups.

“They will be bringing several items (related to the family),” Hoffmann said.