NEWTON FALLS — Heritage Accord in Newton Falls has received a matching grant in the amount of $24,575 from the Jeffris Family Foundation Ltd. toward the Newton Falls Community Center.

Heritage Accord is a nonprofit registered with the state to restore, renovate and preserve the community center so it can be reopened and made available for public use. The Jeffris Family Foundation grant will be combined with an equal amount of funds on-hand at Heritage Accord to cover fully the cost of a critically required historical structure report of the community center.

This report will be prepared by specially qualified and experienced architects and engineers and is essential to the next phase of the restoration and renovation of the historic community center. It was originally dedicated more than 80 years ago, in January 1942, as a United Services Organization facility at 52 E. Quarry St. The Newton Falls Community Center is owned by the village and leased to Heritage Accord.

Reopening the center to the public not only will honor its historic original use and its structural and architectural features as a historic USO building, but also will allow it to become a prominent and attractive facility for special gatherings and education for residents of Newton Falls and surrounding areas, according to a news release.

“This prominent structure is a nationally recognized landmark property and it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the renovations will be completed consistent with the U. S. Department of Interior’s standards and guidelines for historic properties. Also, in 2017, the Newton Falls Community Center was recognized by the Ohio Historical Society and the Trumbull County Historical Society for the historical significance of the structure,” it states.

Connie Smith Talcott, Heritage Accord president, said, “Due to the generosity of our community and local organizations, we do have the funds on hand which are necessary to meet the initial 50 percent match. Our board looks forward with excitement to working on a continuing plan to raise all funds needed to complete this restoration. The restoration of the community center will be a source of pride for all of Newton Falls and one that embraces the entire community.”

Heritage Accord soon will be announcing the details for an event this fall to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the dedication of this historic USO facility and community center. Donations for the project may be made to Heritage Accord, P.O. 82, Newton Falls, OH, 44444.

The Jeffris Family foundation was established in 1979 by Bruce and Eleanor Jeffris and their son, Tom. The foundation’s mission is to preserve the cultural history and heritage of the Midwest through the preservation of regionally and nationally important historic buildings and decorative art projects.

The foundation expanded its focus to include Ohio in 2009.

Thomas M. Jeffris, foundation president, stated: “We are proud and excited to partner with Heritage Accord and the Newton Falls community to preserve and restore the Community Center, a historic USO. This grant represents our commitment to preserve our past for future generations.”

Among the projects across the Midwest that the Jeffris Family Foundation previously presented grants are the home of President Warren G. Harding in Marion; Grouseland, home of President William Henry Harrison, Vincennes, Indiana; and the historic Home Building Association Bank, designed by notable architect Louis Sullivan, in Newark, Ohio.

In making its matching grant to Heritage Accord, the foundation considered four primary criteria: historical significance, the proposed project and plan, location and the organizational excellence of the sponsor.

This information will guide Heritage Accord in its fundraising and financial planning as well as project timing and discussions with contractors. After requesting proposals from several extremely qualified Northeast Ohio firms, Heritage Accord has selected Perspectus Architecture to complete the historic structures report. The Perspectus Architecture team also will include Scheeser Buckley Mayfield, which will provide a mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection assessment of the complex. Also included are Engineering for Historic Structures, which will provide the structural assessments of the facility, and Regency Construction, which will prepare all the material and construction cost estimates.