House of Leybourn

06/01/2023

3502 Watson Ave., Toledo
Watson and Hillcrest Avenues

The brick cottage on the northern edge of Historic Woodlawn Cemetery may have been a single story structure, and originally a barn, storehouse or other auxiliary farm building. Two different types of brick were used in the current structure.

The footer and more recent brick installation below the three south-facing windows are evidence of a previously utilized, larger and perhaps ramped entry to the interior. The attic also employs a pulley hoist system. Uniquely set back from Watson when compared to other houses on the street, the structure is likely on the far southeast corner of the former Leybourn fruit and dairy farm. John Leybourn was Lucas County's first naturalized United States citizen in 1836.

Described as the "oldest house in west Toledo," our non-profit was formed in 2018 to acquire, maintain and preserve the historic location. We look forward to continued work with local partners and ensuring this mission continues for years to come. View more information by visiting our website below and thank you for your help!

http://www.houseofleybourn.com

Toledo Lucas County Public Library Toledo History Museum West Toledo - Neighborhood Group Maumee Valley Historical Society ToledoBlade.com WTOL 11 Marving Real Estate, LLC Toledo Public Schools The University of Toledo Greater Toledo Community Foundation

06/01/2023

05/15/2023

Window replacement day!

Over the last year, several windows in our beautiful, little historic house were broken out. Today, thanks to our friends at Trinity Glass, new windows are going in!

Would our neighborhood friends help us by calling the police and contacting us if you witness any criminal activity on the site? We appreciate you!

03/03/2023

The Art & Bessie Leybourn Digital Museum is now LIVE on our website! Many of the beautiful photographs, including portraits, landscapes and related documents can be viewed at http://www.houseofleybourn.com by clicking "Art & Bessie Leybourn Digital Museum" on our website menu.

The Leybourn family archives include hundreds of original photographs, documents, letters, and legal correspondence relevant to the Leybourn family of Toledo, Ohio. In addition to family-specific materials, the archives contain numerous references and depictions of 19th and early 20th century northwest Ohio.

With an initial offering of approximately 100 items on March 1, 2023, the collection will be curated and supplemented with approximately 150 more items in the coming weeks and months.

Entrance to this museum is FREE, but donations to our non-profit for the maintenance and restoration of the historic brick cottage at 3502 Watson Avenue in west Toledo are most appreciated!

10/24/2020

A community of history!

For nearly 200 years, west Toledo has been a vibrant and diverse area in the region. From early orchards and farms, to neighborhoods of auto workers and working families in 20th century industrial America.

We need your help to preserve local history and west Toledo's oldest home. Email [email protected] or visit http://www.paypal.me/HouseofLeybourn and donate today!

09/22/2020

Dear Friends and Supporters:

At House of Leybourn and the Art and Bessie Leybourn Family History Center, we're excited to announce a range of services to uniquely and positively complement your family history research soon.

Whether you're seeking expert genealogy research advice, a welcoming and historic space to collaborate with family and friends, or a place to learn more about the latest databases and tools, we look forward to meeting you at the Leybourn Family History Center in west Toledo, and virtually, soon!

In the meantime, we need your help:

☑️ Do you know someone in the Toledo area with carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, website design, grant writing or other relevant experience willing to donate their time and services?

☑️ Have a unique family history, heirloom memento or a "brick wall?" We'd love to learn more and share your story!

☑️ Are you able to make a donation, in any amount, to help ensure our utility costs, Internet, security and basic operational needs are met? (We'd be especially grateful if you considered a recurring contribution!)

☑️ Interested in volunteering or becoming a member of our team?

☑️ Have a special interest in historic preservation or genealogy?

We're looking for friends in the Toledo area and beyond to represent and grow our mission, so email us today at [email protected].

Thanks, and we appreciate your "Share" of support, too!

02/12/2020

COMING SOON!

The Art & Bessie Leybourn Family History Center!

As part of our efforts to preserve and reuse the historic home at 3502 Watson Avenue in west Toledo, we are very excited to announce the establishment of Toledo's only non-profit family history research facility, The Art and Bessie Leybourn Family History Center, or LFHC.

Are you interested in volunteering? Have a genealogy question for our experts? Want to incorporate family history research in your next team building event? Send us an email: [email protected]

Also, to receive notifications and learn more, please like the Leybourn Family History Center on Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/LeybournFamilyHistoryCenter

As always, we appreciate your support for our efforts of historic preservation. Directly impact our mission today by sending a donation! http://www.paypal.me/HouseofLeybourn/

02/03/2020

Calling our supporters! House of Leybourn needs your help to continue our mission of preserving the historic home at 3502 Watson. We're also eager to announce long term plans for the site in the near future! In the meantime, please consider a donation to support our operating costs and additional maintenance: http://www.paypal.me/HouseofLeybourn/

12/23/2019

Sending our neighbors and friends wishes for the merriest Christmas! 🎅🤶🎄

Sarah Wilson's 60th Birthday Collection
https://www.cafepress.com/houseofleybourn/15531406

12/03/2019

We appreciate your support of historic preservation on this Giving Tuesday!!! Please consider a donation to our GoFundMe (http://www.gofundme.com/3502watson) or purchase your favorite House of Leybourn accessories, apparel and gifts at our store, where a portion of the proceeds support our mission (http://www.cafepress.com/HouseofLeybourn)!

Brent Dickson The historic preservation of 3502 Watson House of Leybourn is an Ohio non-profit for historic preservation and is working to restore the "oldest

11/07/2019

Christmas shopping? Don't forget to stop by our store and pick up your favorite's favorite Leybourn gear!

Online store of the House of Leybourn organization.

11/06/2019

Mount Vernon "has purchased a 1679 edition of The Compleat Surveyor by William Leybourn that once was a part of Washington's library. Researchers say it is clear Washington used the book extensively."

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate has acquired a book on surveying that the founding father kept and used for more than five decades.