In and around Upper Arlington’s historical district (a region of Upper Arlington stretching from Fifth Avenue to Lane Avenue) are a series of small, oval-shaped signs which read “Homes of History Celebration; Over 100.” They sit outside of a series of unassuming houses, marking a rich part of our city’s history: the buildings which have stayed with us since the beginning. As time has progressed, many of the older homes in UA have been lost, rebuilt or renovated beyond their original state. But in those which remain, many residents still find valuable lessons in the history which permeates their walls.
The process for recognizing the 100 year homes began with the Upper Arlington Historical Society’s “Homes of History” program. Each August, the Society promotes the program by distributing signs to homeowners who qualify, as well as by sponsoring events to help increase awareness. Of almost 15,000 homes in Upper Arlington, only 330 of them qualify, and of the 330, over 230 homeowners participate. In order to qualify, a home must have been built in or before 1923 and must have maintained a large amount of their original exterior.
While the Historical Society plays a large role in identifying the homes, those who best understand them are those who live in them every day. Karri Schildmeyer, who owns the fifth-oldest home in Upper Arlington, provided an understanding of the Upper Arlington community’s centennial homes, the people who inhabit and preserve them, and the lessons they can teach the community.
Schildmeyer’s story with her home begins when her family began to search for a new UA home to accommodate their family. As they searched through various houses in Upper Arlington, they stumbled across a home owned by the Strausses, who had themselves raised three children and were looking for a new family to inherit their home.
“They basically interviewed us,” Schildmeyer said. “They first interviewed my husband and me together, then they wanted to meet our three daughters because they wanted to be sure that we were going to honor this home.”
Schildmeyer said that the passion with which the Strauss family selected the next owners of the house was a major factor in their decision to purchase it.
“Right away, we knew how special this house was… someday when we have to turn this house over to someone else, we will hope to find owners who will do the same and honor the history of the house.”
When ownership of the house passed on, so did an eagerness and responsibility for preserving its history. Along with the home, the Schildmeyers inherited a set of original papers for the home, which had been passed down from generation to generation since the building’s construction. They also joined the Historical Society, another tradition of former residents.
Once inside the house the family was confronted with the reality of living in an old home. Tall ceilings and a closed floor plan were a change from more modern architecture, and a small kitchen forced the family to eventually move a wall to make more room. The floors of the house were also uneven.
“You could put a marble on one side of the kitchen and it’s going to roll all the way to the basement door because it’s uneven.” Schildmeyer said.
But with the downsides came advantages.
“Our lowest level, so the basement, had really simple windows that you could have honestly kicked them out if you wanted to,” Schildmeyer said. “When the glass block worker came, he could not believe the depth of our house. [He told us] our walls are super thick. You know, they just don’t build houses like this anymore.”
While old, the home has treated its owners well.
“This house has been through a lot,” Schildmeyer added. “And it’s served all of its residents quite well.”
The house also has a screened-in porch, a staple of the time which became a favorite of the family. But even with the ups and downs of living in an older house, Schildmeyer emphasized that the details weren’t what mattered.
“It’s not the things inside, it’s what it’s what this home has given our family. Which has been the stability of a really good community, unbelievable friendships, neighbors,” she said.
When asked what she would tell others about her home, Schildmeyer emphasized the lessons she had learned from living in an old home.
“Just like an old home, the most important piece is the foundation. If you have that strong solid foundation, everything around you: your walls, your windows, your doors that give you a glimpse of who you are to the world—in and out—all that will come because you have a strong foundation… If you have a strong foundation, your potential is limitless.”
While the Schildmeyer family does not plan to stay in the home, they emphasized the importance of preserving it for the future. They plan to pass it on in a similar fashion to the Strauss family before them, and would love to see their home and those like it be preserved for generations to come.
“Yes, it is a piece of history,” Schildmeyer said. “And some people feel like you can just discard that history, and it doesn’t matter. But this home has been home to so many families, so many stories, and it’s still standing. And it’s going to be standing for years to come.”
