#34 Asahel Wright House

26 N. Main St.
The Asahel Wright House was built c.1806 of native limestone and is one of the first stone houses in Centerville. Wright, the great uncle of Orville and Wilbur Wright, was a store keeper who also distilled oil of peppermint and liquor. The stone house has several unique features such as the solid trapezoidal stone lintels above the windows and doors, and the corner fireplace. The two-story wood frame addition was probably constructed in the early 1860s. The work shop building in the front is also of early vintage.

The City of Centerville purchased this property in 1978 and restoration was completed in 1983.  The International Women's Air and Space Museum was the resident until 1999 when they moved to Cleveland.  At that time, another phase of renovation and refurbishment was completed with volunteer labor and funds from the city, and the property became the Asahel Wright Community Center.  It was a project conceived and created by a partnership of the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society, the Centerville Arts Commission, the Landmarks Foundation of Centerville-Washington Township, and the City of Centerville.  Today, it houses office space for the Historical Society, as well as, exhibit rooms.

The small frame building by the sidewalk was added around 1830 when Leonard Ream, a skilled hat maker, owned the property.  The Historical Society operated a gift shop and visitors center there from 1999 to 2011.

See more information on our Stone houses.

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