“Babcock Foundation Revisited Again”
by Terry Priest
by Terry Priest
In 2016 I wrote an article celebrating the efforts of the Babcock Foundation over the last 30 years in Johnstown. It seemed appropriate to update what the Foundation has been doing over the past five years since major changes in our landscape have become more apparent. THE FOUNDATION IS NOW 35!!
Without giving exact dollar amount, the greatest gift besides the library addition was to the school for improvement of the Performing Arts Center interior refurbishing and renovation. The Choir Boosters were able to have Master Class involvement. Also benefitting the school was the development and maintenance of the Arboretum near Searfoss. The Foundation managed to finance assistance for student interaction with The Works. The Johnstown elementary teachers will encourage improvement in reading through active participation in “Battle of the Books”. Since Mary E. Babcock’s father was President of the School Board when the JHS Willis C. Adams building was built 1927, it is certain that improving the educational opportunities has been a major influence on fulfilling bequests. [Thanks to all of us for using the old JHS entrance for the new stadium!] Annually the top scholar at both Northridge and Johnstown receive scholarships.
Also, in continuance is the beautification of public property as seen in the Victorian Gardens and the Bike Trail and the four welcome signs to Johnstown. The electronic sign in Bigelow Park reduces the sign-clutter and encourages community attendance. The opening of the Mastodon Preserve Discovery Trail generates the interest on Johnstown’s 1926 historical event, soon to be experiencing its centennial. The path and its gravel contents were the foundation for the electronic narrative and photos from the Johnstown Historical Society; the Foundation funded the foundation. Also, a large portion was given to the new shelter house. The Child Conservation League received funding for those Angels and Astronauts making their requests to Santa in a larger and roomier Santa House. The lights illuminate the Library, the Monroe Township Hall, and Cornell School. Cornell School will be getting a new roof. Belt Field received funding for blacktopping the parking area. Northridge athletic fields received funding to encourage student participation.
The greatest donation was the half-million dollars for the addition to the Mary E. Babcock Library. The 2,000 square foot addition will provide event space for non-profit community groups to meet and the first floor will allow the same amount of space for storage and staff. Begun with ground-breaking on May 20, the building was fully completed by 2017. The Foundation also financed the architectural designs and much care is there in matching to the original. Those who see similarities of architectural details to the Monroe Township Hall can be reminded that Mary E. Babcock had her Commencement into life from that Opera House. The Babcock Foundation has been preserving the past all along!
“GUESS WHO IS TURNING 30?”
The Mary E. Babcock Foundation was established on March 10, 1986 for “charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes to promote, preserve, foster and maintain education, beautification and cultural interest in the Johnstown area.” For the last thirty years the Foundation has provided for activities, programs, scholarships, and projects. All ages of the community benefit from the improvements provided, whether it be one of an immediate result or a long-term benefit. Special attention is given to those of an educational nature that help to stretch the mind, to encourage more awareness of the arts and science, and to inspire long-term goals and career choices.
In 2015 the American Legion received a sizable donation for its Wall of Honor. The Babcock Foundation provided the four new Welcome to Johnstown signs. Students benefited from Freedom School, an annual summer reading project. The Works will provide opportunities for area students. The Midland Theater was the destination for the Yellow Bus youth theater appreciation.
In 2014 the Babcock foundation funded the Liz Callaway music class for JHS choir students. The JHS Big Red Band got some financial assistance for its Outback Bowl and band instruments. BUILD, which uses youth in community action, received financial assistance for a van and trailer to transport people, tools, and supplies to sites where help is needed. Donations to Red Cross helped with the Blood Drive and the American Legion got flags. New tech recording equipment went to the music department.
In the Bicentennial year of 2013, the bike trail head was excavated and additional plantings and parking lot were done. The Bigelow Cemetery had all its memorials and markers set aright and restored. St. Albans received a new thermal imager. The Sportsmen Club received funding for its Vietnam Memorial Wall. The Foundation covered the entire expense of digitizing all the Johnstown Independents so research can be done on line. The new perimeter fence greatly beautified Green Hill Cemetery. Most of these were sizable fundings. A great way to honor Miss Babcock who prized her town’s history.
Previous to 2012, some of the many programs funded included 5 boys and 5 girls for STEM Camp at the Works, a bed for Hospice of Central Ohio, Opera Columbus, Opera House assistance for visiting glee clubs and a magician, anti-bullying programs at the schools, Midland Theater Yellow Bus events, parade float, Girls in Gear program at the Works, considerable funding for the replacement of light system at the PAC, choir robes, uniforms for a girls’ soccer teams, chairs and tables for the Village of Johnstown.
A novel way of celebrating the Foundation’s 25 anniversary was the October 2, 2011 concert held at the Opera House. The 16-piece Swing’s the Thing entertained all with a rather lively upbeat Big Band afternoon. Because of the wind, the concert was held inside. The leader of the band admitted that it was easier than loading their pockets down with rocks, so they wouldn’t be flying with Dorothy over the rainbow to Oz.
The Johnstown Historical Society added a chair lift to its stairway and on May 22, 2010 the Monroe Township Hall’s new cupola was dedicated. Not longer after, the doors and entrances were painted to match the colors of the cupola. Restoration and maintenance is an ongoing effort for everything we take for granted. The Babcock Foundation has been very generous and even used many of the architectural features of this building to its design of the Library that bears her name.
From the beginning with the establishment of the Victorian Garden in 1987, the park yard has received much from the Babcock Foundation for beautification and preservation. Added to this would be the extensive work on the Monroe Township Hall inside and out, the addition of the brickwork entrance and walkway, the restoration of the front windows, assistance to the cupola, light pole fixtures and banners, landscaping, concrete tables, the downtown clock, park benches, trash receptacles, chair lift, and preservation of the graduation composites. Restoration and maintenance is an ongoing effort for everything we take for granted.
The Babcock Foundation has been very generous and even used many of the architectural features of this building to its design of the Library that bears her name. What a splendid Victorian castle the Monroe Township Hall has become, thanks to the Babcock Foundation!
You can also thank the Babcock Foundation for providing the new signs as you enter town, the extensive work done at Belt Park in landscaping and bleachers, work at Cornell School including its being moved, its fencing and a new roof, renovation work at the historic Johnstown Jail, renovation and fencing at the Hartford Fairgrounds, and the playground equipment at the rec center park.
Besides beautification, the Foundation has been providing opportunities of an educational nature. Each year the Babcock Scholarship goes to the graduate with the highest test score on a standardized national test. Elementary school performances from Opera Columbus, trips to Midland theater, academic achievement awards, programs for ballet, history, speeches, lecturers at each grade level, computers, Ballet Met, Odyssey of the Mind, gifted programs, Creativity Day, Character Counts, funding for parade expenses and uniforms for the Band and Choir and computer, Girls in Gear at the Works, and assistance to the PAC for lights are just a few of these dreams funded.
Besides beautification and education is another category called cultural interests and assistance. Into this category might be a Licking County Symphony in the PAC, school display showcase, library books, concerts in the park, Central Ohio Symphony Concert, OSU Men’s Glee Club Concert, OU Band Athletic boosters assistance, table and chairs at the schools, Land of Legend Philharmonic Orchestra, Otterbein College Band spring concert, playground equipment, Johnstown Police Dept, Fire Department, Youth League, soccer uniforms, band equipment, McGuffey Lane concert, The Four Lads concert, American Red Cross, and of course what about the Mary E Babcock Library? Perhaps you have benefited from the Foundation without even being aware of it.
The Pictorial History of Johnstown, still on sale for only $22, traces the history of our little village in over 300 hard-to-find vintage photos. Call 740-967-8721. This was a major project of the Foundation and one that emphasizes the concern Miss Babcock had for preserving what is best about this town. She passed in 1998 and the book came out in 2002.
The Babcock Foundation has been able to provide the funds for these out-of- earthly-reach projects. In Walden, Henry David Thoreau concludes that it is appropriate for dreamers “to build castles in the air”, but then they should do what they can “to put the foundations under them”. I don’t think, he had the Mary E. Babcock Foundation in mind, but we who live in these tough economic times can be truly thankful that the Foundation has supported our ”castles in the air”.
Without giving exact dollar amount, the greatest gift besides the library addition was to the school for improvement of the Performing Arts Center interior refurbishing and renovation. The Choir Boosters were able to have Master Class involvement. Also benefitting the school was the development and maintenance of the Arboretum near Searfoss. The Foundation managed to finance assistance for student interaction with The Works. The Johnstown elementary teachers will encourage improvement in reading through active participation in “Battle of the Books”. Since Mary E. Babcock’s father was President of the School Board when the JHS Willis C. Adams building was built 1927, it is certain that improving the educational opportunities has been a major influence on fulfilling bequests. [Thanks to all of us for using the old JHS entrance for the new stadium!] Annually the top scholar at both Northridge and Johnstown receive scholarships.
Also, in continuance is the beautification of public property as seen in the Victorian Gardens and the Bike Trail and the four welcome signs to Johnstown. The electronic sign in Bigelow Park reduces the sign-clutter and encourages community attendance. The opening of the Mastodon Preserve Discovery Trail generates the interest on Johnstown’s 1926 historical event, soon to be experiencing its centennial. The path and its gravel contents were the foundation for the electronic narrative and photos from the Johnstown Historical Society; the Foundation funded the foundation. Also, a large portion was given to the new shelter house. The Child Conservation League received funding for those Angels and Astronauts making their requests to Santa in a larger and roomier Santa House. The lights illuminate the Library, the Monroe Township Hall, and Cornell School. Cornell School will be getting a new roof. Belt Field received funding for blacktopping the parking area. Northridge athletic fields received funding to encourage student participation.
The greatest donation was the half-million dollars for the addition to the Mary E. Babcock Library. The 2,000 square foot addition will provide event space for non-profit community groups to meet and the first floor will allow the same amount of space for storage and staff. Begun with ground-breaking on May 20, the building was fully completed by 2017. The Foundation also financed the architectural designs and much care is there in matching to the original. Those who see similarities of architectural details to the Monroe Township Hall can be reminded that Mary E. Babcock had her Commencement into life from that Opera House. The Babcock Foundation has been preserving the past all along!
“GUESS WHO IS TURNING 30?”
The Mary E. Babcock Foundation was established on March 10, 1986 for “charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes to promote, preserve, foster and maintain education, beautification and cultural interest in the Johnstown area.” For the last thirty years the Foundation has provided for activities, programs, scholarships, and projects. All ages of the community benefit from the improvements provided, whether it be one of an immediate result or a long-term benefit. Special attention is given to those of an educational nature that help to stretch the mind, to encourage more awareness of the arts and science, and to inspire long-term goals and career choices.
In 2015 the American Legion received a sizable donation for its Wall of Honor. The Babcock Foundation provided the four new Welcome to Johnstown signs. Students benefited from Freedom School, an annual summer reading project. The Works will provide opportunities for area students. The Midland Theater was the destination for the Yellow Bus youth theater appreciation.
In 2014 the Babcock foundation funded the Liz Callaway music class for JHS choir students. The JHS Big Red Band got some financial assistance for its Outback Bowl and band instruments. BUILD, which uses youth in community action, received financial assistance for a van and trailer to transport people, tools, and supplies to sites where help is needed. Donations to Red Cross helped with the Blood Drive and the American Legion got flags. New tech recording equipment went to the music department.
In the Bicentennial year of 2013, the bike trail head was excavated and additional plantings and parking lot were done. The Bigelow Cemetery had all its memorials and markers set aright and restored. St. Albans received a new thermal imager. The Sportsmen Club received funding for its Vietnam Memorial Wall. The Foundation covered the entire expense of digitizing all the Johnstown Independents so research can be done on line. The new perimeter fence greatly beautified Green Hill Cemetery. Most of these were sizable fundings. A great way to honor Miss Babcock who prized her town’s history.
Previous to 2012, some of the many programs funded included 5 boys and 5 girls for STEM Camp at the Works, a bed for Hospice of Central Ohio, Opera Columbus, Opera House assistance for visiting glee clubs and a magician, anti-bullying programs at the schools, Midland Theater Yellow Bus events, parade float, Girls in Gear program at the Works, considerable funding for the replacement of light system at the PAC, choir robes, uniforms for a girls’ soccer teams, chairs and tables for the Village of Johnstown.
A novel way of celebrating the Foundation’s 25 anniversary was the October 2, 2011 concert held at the Opera House. The 16-piece Swing’s the Thing entertained all with a rather lively upbeat Big Band afternoon. Because of the wind, the concert was held inside. The leader of the band admitted that it was easier than loading their pockets down with rocks, so they wouldn’t be flying with Dorothy over the rainbow to Oz.
The Johnstown Historical Society added a chair lift to its stairway and on May 22, 2010 the Monroe Township Hall’s new cupola was dedicated. Not longer after, the doors and entrances were painted to match the colors of the cupola. Restoration and maintenance is an ongoing effort for everything we take for granted. The Babcock Foundation has been very generous and even used many of the architectural features of this building to its design of the Library that bears her name.
From the beginning with the establishment of the Victorian Garden in 1987, the park yard has received much from the Babcock Foundation for beautification and preservation. Added to this would be the extensive work on the Monroe Township Hall inside and out, the addition of the brickwork entrance and walkway, the restoration of the front windows, assistance to the cupola, light pole fixtures and banners, landscaping, concrete tables, the downtown clock, park benches, trash receptacles, chair lift, and preservation of the graduation composites. Restoration and maintenance is an ongoing effort for everything we take for granted.
The Babcock Foundation has been very generous and even used many of the architectural features of this building to its design of the Library that bears her name. What a splendid Victorian castle the Monroe Township Hall has become, thanks to the Babcock Foundation!
You can also thank the Babcock Foundation for providing the new signs as you enter town, the extensive work done at Belt Park in landscaping and bleachers, work at Cornell School including its being moved, its fencing and a new roof, renovation work at the historic Johnstown Jail, renovation and fencing at the Hartford Fairgrounds, and the playground equipment at the rec center park.
Besides beautification, the Foundation has been providing opportunities of an educational nature. Each year the Babcock Scholarship goes to the graduate with the highest test score on a standardized national test. Elementary school performances from Opera Columbus, trips to Midland theater, academic achievement awards, programs for ballet, history, speeches, lecturers at each grade level, computers, Ballet Met, Odyssey of the Mind, gifted programs, Creativity Day, Character Counts, funding for parade expenses and uniforms for the Band and Choir and computer, Girls in Gear at the Works, and assistance to the PAC for lights are just a few of these dreams funded.
Besides beautification and education is another category called cultural interests and assistance. Into this category might be a Licking County Symphony in the PAC, school display showcase, library books, concerts in the park, Central Ohio Symphony Concert, OSU Men’s Glee Club Concert, OU Band Athletic boosters assistance, table and chairs at the schools, Land of Legend Philharmonic Orchestra, Otterbein College Band spring concert, playground equipment, Johnstown Police Dept, Fire Department, Youth League, soccer uniforms, band equipment, McGuffey Lane concert, The Four Lads concert, American Red Cross, and of course what about the Mary E Babcock Library? Perhaps you have benefited from the Foundation without even being aware of it.
The Pictorial History of Johnstown, still on sale for only $22, traces the history of our little village in over 300 hard-to-find vintage photos. Call 740-967-8721. This was a major project of the Foundation and one that emphasizes the concern Miss Babcock had for preserving what is best about this town. She passed in 1998 and the book came out in 2002.
The Babcock Foundation has been able to provide the funds for these out-of- earthly-reach projects. In Walden, Henry David Thoreau concludes that it is appropriate for dreamers “to build castles in the air”, but then they should do what they can “to put the foundations under them”. I don’t think, he had the Mary E. Babcock Foundation in mind, but we who live in these tough economic times can be truly thankful that the Foundation has supported our ”castles in the air”.