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Whether your passion is Historic Preservation or supporting the Arts, the Peninsula Foundation appreciates your help.

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The Peninsula Foundation is the loving caretaker for over twenty of Peninsula’s historically significant buildings.

The Peninsula Foundation has a long history of historic preservation starting with the work of our founder, Robert Hunker.  These historic treasures serve as the fabric for the character of the Village of Peninsula.

Peninsula remains one of Ohio’s last canal-era Villages, not permanently altered by over-development. The Peninsula Foundation’s ownership and management of these historic structures ensures that the character of a small, rural community along the Cuyahoga River, remains intact. Some of our recent rehabilitation work include these historic structures in Peninsula:

  • The Peninsula Coffee House- (through a partnership with the coffee house owners, Mark and Deb Anzlec)
  • The Bronson Memorial Church Building
  • Purple Brown Farm Store
  • The G.A.R. Hall
  • The historic Ice House
  • Our recent ADA addition to the G.A.R. Hall.

We need YOUR help to help us rehabilitate the Historic G.A.R. Hall

The Peninsula Foundation is dedicated to the restoration of this historical gem,  to keep it a vital part of Peninsula and the region for years to come.

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GAR Hall Interior
G.A.R. Interior
Badge on the G.A.R. Wall Badge on the G.A.R. Wall
G.A.R. Hall Chandelier G.A.R. Hall Chandelier

Education and supporting the arts are also key elements of the mission of the Peninsula Foundation. We strive to make quality educational and arts programming accessible to all economic levels. Concerts through the Voices in the Valley music program, music workshops, and Peninsula’s Music on the Porches festival, are just a few of the cultural events that the Foundation organizes and presents.

The Peninsula Foundation is actively fundraising to rehabilitate the historic G.A.R. Hall.  The highlights of this project include:

  • Restoration and replacement of the exterior siding.
  • Adding much needed insulation.
  • Restoration of the Civil War era medallions on the sides of the stage.

Please consider a gift to help us preserve this regional landmark.

The Historic G.A.R. Hall was built in 1851. It currently serves as a place for public, private and community events. Originally built as one of Peninsula’s schoolhouses, it was designated as a meeting place for Civil War Veterans in the 1880’s.

Purchased for back taxes in the early 1960’s by Robert Hunker,  the Founder of the Peninsula Foundation. The G.A.R. Hall was scheduled to be destroyed as a test for the local fire department. Mr Hunker restored the building, bringing it back to life as a local historic landmark.  It has served many purposes, most recently serving as the home for the Voices in the Valley music program.  International, national and regionally touring artists have made the G.A.R. Hall a regular stop for presenting Traditional Roots Music.

Support Voices in the Valley

Showing your support for Peninsula and its history can also be fun! Become a sponsor for a single event or for the whole season of shows. Your contribution will go towards continuing the amazing Voices in the Valley program , but you will also receive reserved tickets at the G.A.R. Hall, for you and your guests along with on-stage recognition at the event.

 

 

 

Help us in our mission to rehabilitate Peninsula's oldest standing structure, The Wood's Store

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Located just West of the Cuyahoga  River on the North side of Main Street, this building was the first permanent structure in Peninsula and is one of the oldest buildings in the Western Reserve. Built circa 1820 in typical Western Reserve Greek Revival style, this combination house and store faced the canal which explains why the “front door” is actually on the east side of the building. Local preservation hero, Lily Fleder joined forces with Robert Hunker in the 1960’s to save this structure from demolition. The story tells (and is confirmed by our Board Chair and Lily’s son Adam),  that Lily used her two children to block the wrecking ball while Mr. Hunker finalized the purchase!  Highlights of the rehabilitation plans to paint the exterior, refurbish the garden privacy fence and re-work the dry-stack stone that surrounds the building. Our goal for this project is 115,000. Please help us preserve this historic treasure in the heart of Peninsula.