The Future of Firestone: A Community Conversation

Date: Thursday, February 5th at 6:30pm

Location: 17 S. Maple Street, St. Vincent de Paul Parish School - Corrigan Hall, Akron, OH 44303

Details: Firestone Plant 1 is at a turning point. With demolition paused and the City considering preservation options, now is the time for community voices to be heard. Join Progress Through Preservation for a Community Town Hall to hear what’s being considered, why preserving the full building matters, and what could come next. We’ll also have Q&A, a short survey, and ways to stay involved.

Sign + Share the “Save The Firestone Plant 1 Building” Petition by clicking here!

Glendale Rising- The First Step Fundraiser

Date: Saturday, March 21st at 6:30pm

Location: The Trailhead at Cascade Locks, 21 W. North Street, Akron, OH 44304

For Reservations:  Glendale Rising: The First Step

From Stagecoaches to Speakeasies: A Tour of Olesia's Taverne of Richfield

Date: Tuesday, June 9th at 5:00 pm

Location: Olesia's Taverne of Richfield - 3960 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286 

Details: Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of Richfield's most recognizable historic landmarks. Originally constructed in 1886 as a stagecoach stop and tavern along the busy route between Cleveland and Akron, the building welcomed travelers, local residents, and community gatherings during an era when horse-drawn transportation connected Ohio's growing towns.

Following the tour, guests are invited to relax on the patio, where drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase.

RSVP by Sunday, June 7th by clicking here.

Mustill Store & Cascade Locks Tour

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Location: Mustill Store at Cascade Locks, 57 W North St, Akron, OH 44304

Join us for a guided exploration of Akron's canal heritage at the historic Mustill Store and Cascade Locks.

Built during the canal era, the Mustill Store stands as one of the last surviving reminders of the Ohio & Erie Canal's role in Akron's early growth and development. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about canal commerce, local industry, and the preservation efforts that saved this important landmark for future generations.

Guests may choose between two tour options:

Store + Hiking Tour
Begins at 4:00 PM and includes a guided walk to Lock 10 and the former mill site, followed by a tour of the Mustill Store.

Store Only Tour
Begins at 5:00 PM with a guided tour of the Mustill Store.

The Mustill Store remains part of the legacy of Progress Through Preservation's own Virginia "Ginny" Wojno-Forney, a longtime leader and preservation advocate whose vision and dedication helped transform Cascade Locks from a forgotten landscape into a place where Akron's history can be experienced firsthand.

For a double dose of preservation and history, consider visiting Lock 15 Brewing Company before or after the tour. Open until 9:00 PM, the brewery is located in the former Swinehart Tire Company building, a recipient of the Summit County Architectural Heritage Award.

Advance RSVP is requested. Please select either the Store + Hiking Tour or the Store Only Tour when registering.

RSVP by Thursday, July 9th by clicking here.

PTP Annual Picnic & Tour: The Historic O’Neil House

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 1:30 pm

Location: O’Neil House Bed & Breakfast, 1290 W. Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44313

Details: Join Progress Through Preservation for our annual picnic inside one of Akron’s distinctive historic homes, followed by a special tour led by owner Gayle Johnson.

Built in 1923 for prominent Akron industrialist William O’Neil, founder of the General Tire & Rubber Company, the Tudor Revival home reflects an era when Akron’s booming rubber industry was reshaping both the city and the lives of the families behind it.

Today, the beautifully preserved residence is home to the O’Neil House Bed & Breakfast, where Gayle has become a passionate steward of the property and its history.

Following our picnic, Gayle will lead us through the house and share stories of its architecture, former residents, and connections to Akron’s remarkable rubber-industry past.

Picnic Details: Tables and chairs will be provided, and the picnic will be held indoors. Members are asked to bring a dish to share based on the assigned categories below:

A–H: Appetizer
I–P: Side Dish
Q–Z: Dessert

PTP will provide the main course and beverages.

This event is FREE and open to members of Progress Through Preservation.

Advance RSVP is requested. 

RSVP by Thursday, August 13th by clicking here.

A Sweet Slice of Akron History: An Exclusive Tour of Reeves Cake Shop

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1:30 pm

Location: Reeves Cake Shop, 2770 Cory Avenue, Akron, OH 44312

Details: Step behind the scenes of one of Akron’s longtime family businesses and discover more than a century of baking, family, and Kenmore history.

The story began in 1916, when Ada Bachtel opened her bakery, eventually setting the stage for what would become Reeves Cake Shop. Today, Rick Reeves and his mother, Dolores Reeves, carry on a family tradition that has been part of countless Akron celebrations for generations.

At 93, Dolores Reeves brings a lifetime of firsthand Kenmore and Akron history to our visit, sharing personal memories of the family, the bakery, and the community that grew up around them.

Following the tour, Rick will treat PTP members to one of Reeves’ bakery favorites.

As the Reeves family prepares to retire at the end of 2026, they hope to find a new owner with baking and cake-decorating experience to carry the bakery into its next chapter.

BONUS TOUR: The 1896 Lawndale Schoolhouse

Following our visit to Reeves, we’ll head just minutes away for an optional 20-minute tour of the historic Lawndale Schoolhouse. Now being preserved by the Kenmore Historical Society, this special stop offers a chance to step inside one of the neighborhood’s early school buildings and see preservation in progress.

Bonus Tour Location: Lawndale Schoolhouse, 1208 W. Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314

This event is FREE for PTP members. Guests may attend for $10.

Advance RSVP is requested. 

RSVP by Thursday, September 24th by clicking here.