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The 1818 Century Inn as it looked in the mid-1980's when it served as the home of Shetler Printing and the Good News. In its current role the historic old structue which once offered shelter and comfort to travelers between the Painesville and Warren county seats houses the Middlefield Historical Society and the Shetler Library. |
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Officers 2007-2008
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| President | Rick Seyer |
| 1st Vice President | Donald Hunter |
| 2nd Vice President | Earl Warne |
| Secretary | Gilberta Town |
| Treasurer | Ellen Craig |
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Trustees
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Thomas Caldwell
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Diana Cathan
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William Clark
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Harold Hall
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Maxine Kinson
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Joy Robertson
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Earl Warne
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Barb Youshak
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Lifetime Trustees
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Arlene B. Gibbs
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C. Richard Roose Jr.
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Advisory Members
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Dorothy Allen
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Janelle McClead
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Richard A. Moss
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Jean Toth
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Historian
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Jo Blackford
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Newsletter Editor
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Diana J. Cathan
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| Located at the center of Middlefield Village in the historic
Century Inn and Depot An 1818 Inn and 1874 Railroad Depot plus a caboose (The Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Batavia House")
14979 South State Avenue
P.O. Box 1100 Middlefield, OH 44062 632-0400 |
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A BIT 0F THE INN'S HISTORY The Century Inn (James Thompson Inn) was built in 1818 by James Thompson, a member of one of Middlefield's first pioneer families. It served as a stopover for travelers between Warren and Painesville. The Inn is located on Rt. 608 (South State Avenue) just south of the intersection with Rt. 87. Occupied continuously as inn, boarding house, or private home until purchased by Garland and Margaret Shetler for use as a printing company, the building was a hub of community activity. Used as a site for town meetings, it also served on several occasions as a hospital for injured travelers on the Old State Road. In 1983 the Village of Middlefield purchased the inn and leased it to the Historical Society for their headquarters. In July 1987, the Inn became listed on the National Register as "Batavia House" and by October 1988, the Society had raised the $60,000 for its purchase. In 1997, two rooms on the main floor were dedicated to house the Shetler Library and the Margaret Shetler Reading Room. The present library was an office supply store during the Shetler Printing period. These rooms, as well as the Inn proper, may be visited by appointment. Please contact 440-632-0400 to leave a message indicating your interest. The cement block addition to the back of the Inn housed the printing presses for the Shetler Printing Company. This area, now known as The Underloft, is available for rent for public or family events. White tables and comfortable chairs have been purchased. A warming kitchen and a handicapped-accessible restroom are contained within the area. Please call Earl Warne at 440-632-5435 if you are interested in renting this space for your special occasion. The Middlefield Historical Society is a member of the Geauga County Tourism Council. |
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In 1999, during the bicentennial celebration of the founding of the Middlefield area by Isaac Thompson, a memorial sidewalk was designed and installed by the Cardinal Middle School Student Council. This is an ongoing project and bricks are still available. Applications may be procured at The Depot or will be mailed to you upon request.