The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tavern to hold Night at the Races
Annual derby-themed ‘Night at the Races’ slated for April 25
The Unionville Tavern Preservation Society is betting that people will enjoy attending the organization’s annual fundraiser that has a connection to horse racing.
Unionville Derby — a Night at the Races will be held April 25 at Geneva Community Center, 70 West Main St. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the event, which includes virtual horse racing; wagering and a loser bucket; dinner catered by Roman’s of Madison Township; an open bar, featuring the signature Stagecoach cocktail; entertainment, a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.
The gala will raise funds to help the society continue its efforts to revitalize the historic 221-year-old Unionville Tavern, located at 7935 South Ridge Road in Madison Township.
Unionville Derby — a Night at the Races traditionally takes place in the run-up to horse racing’s Triple Crown, which kicks off this year with the Kentucky Derby on May 2. However, the local derby also ties in with Unionville’s own place in horse racing history.
“George Hopper, an executive of the Standard Oil Co. and associate of John D. Rockefeller, lived in Unionville and maintained a thriving horse farm,” according to a news release promoting the 2018 Unionville Derby.”He bred and raised champion racers and hosted races at Elmwood Farms in Unionville.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased on eventbrite. Go to eventbrite.com, set the geographical search for events popular in Geneva, and then search events for Unionville Derby: A Night at the Races.
Those with additional questions about the event can call 440-417-8299 or email unionvilletavernevents@gmail.com.
The Unionville Tavern was built in 1798 and “is possibly the oldest tavern in Ohio and one of the oldest buildings in Ohio’s Western Reserve,” according to the society. Throughout its history, the building served purposes such as a place of lodging on the pioneer trail, a frontier post office and a station on the Underground Railroad.
The Preservation Society purchased the four parcels making up the historic tavern on Aug. 5, 2014, a day before a tax foreclosure case was to send the parcels to a county auction. Since then, the society has been engaged in an ongoing project to restore and rehabilitate the Unionville Tavern.
Once fully restored, the building will serve as a multipurpose community center for the arts, history, and education, and provide a place for public and private social events.