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Patterson Homestead To Celebrate 200th Year

Dayton History

Patterson Homestead was built in 1816 and to celebrate its 200 years, Dayton History is feverishly working to complete some new restorations to the historic building - all in time for an open-to-the-public birthday party on November 12th called Home and Harvest. Merry Masterson is the assistant director of education for Dayton History.  This week, we spoke with her and Director Alex Heckman who gave us a tour of the Homestead. 

More information on Home and Harvest provided by Dayton History (WYSO is not responsible for the content below).

Credit Jerry Kenney

Featuring horse-drawn tours, warm cider, and 19th century seasonal treats, the inaugural Home & Harvest celebration highlights Dayton's prominent Patterson family and their arrival to Dayton in the early 1800s. Costumed interpreters bring this story to life, telling the tale of Dayton's early days through the eyes of one of its most famous families.

Credit Jerry Kenney

Constructed in three major components between 1816-1850, this legendary home raised three generations of Pattersons, including legendary industrialist John H. Patterson who founded his National Cash Register enterprise on the family's land--roughly a half-mile northwest of Patterson Homestead.

Credit Jerry Kenney

Originally the home of Revolutionary War soldier and Lexington, Kentucky, founder Colonel Robert Patterson, this Federal-style historic house museum tells the story of Dayton's influential Patterson family. Colonel Patterson first settled here in 1804, and upon his death in 1827, Rubicon Farm (the name of his land) covered 2,038 acres.

Alex Heckman (right) and Merry Masterson with Dayton History
Credit Jerry Kenney
Alex Heckman (right) and Merry Masterson with Dayton History

Rubicon Farm featured hogs, sheep, cattle, various mills, an apple orchard, and a farm that raised corn, wheat rye, oats, and tobacco. The Pattersons have long been a strong component of Dayton's story, and it all began with a log cabin, a 320-acre farm, and a willing, resilient spirit.

Presented in conjunction with the Oakwood Historical Society, Home & Harvest celebrates Patterson Homestead's bicentennial by bringing the fascinating story of its early years to life!   

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Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.