The Davis-Shai House was built by Jackson Davis in 1861 and originally sat near the Ohio and Erie Canal. Records support the claim that canal boats brought the large sandstones that formed the foundation of the home and that bricks used to build the house were fired in a kiln located on site. With its steep roofs, wide verandas, clustered chimneys, and exterior décor, the Davis-Shai House captures the beautiful Gothic Revival architectural style popularized by Andrew Jackson Downey, the nation's most prominent landscape architect of the first half of the nineteenth century.

In 1945, the Davis estate was sold at sheriff sale. It was purchased by Dr. Joseph Park Shai Sr., a local dentist and the deed was transferred to his son, Dr. Park Shai II, in 1960. By 1970, the Shai family had made major renovations to the house, including the addition of a kitchen, family room, and garage. The house remained surrounded by beautiful landscaping and 150-year-old trees as Heath grew from a small village to a prosperous city. Eventually, with nearby Hebron Road and 30th Street becoming one of the busiest intersections in the county, the property became a prime location for commercial development. The Shai family agreed to sell the property in 1995 and donated the house to the City of Heath.

Given 60 days to relocate the structure, the City worked to find a moving company, permanent site, and funding for the project so this treasure would not be lost. Timelines were set and broken, deadline came and went, and many worried that the historic structure would not be saved. Finally, on April 16, 1996, the house made its one and one-half mile trip down Hebron Road, onto Airport Parkway, and to its final site on 12 acres of land on the soon to be created Central Parkway. After the move, significant work was done to the house, and its first historic event was hosted on July 3, 1998, when a City of Heath time capsule was sealed and buried on the site.

• 1861 - Built by Jackson Davis along the Ohio and Erie Canal.
• 1945 - Purchased at sheriff sale by Dr. Joseph Park Shai.
• 1960 - Deed transferred to Dr. Joseph Park Shai II.
• 1995 - Estate sold for development and the house was donated to the City of Heath.
• 1996 - Moved to its present location on April 16.
• 1997 - First historic event hosted on July 3 with burial of a time capsule.
• 1999 - A $500,000 State Capital Improvement Grant received by the City of Heath transformed the home into a cultural center.
• 2000 - Davis-Shai House proclaimed a historic landmark.
• 2000 - Heath Community Arts Council formed to manage the facility and conduct fundraising.
• 2001 - Dedication ceremonies were held on September 21 and September 22.
• 2001 - Davis-Shai House received the Ohio Parks and Recreation Outstanding Facility Award.
• 2002 - Davis-Shai House received the Downtown Ohio Inc. Heritage OHIO Preservation and Revitalization Award.
• 2006 - Five Star Celebration gala attended by 160 people commemorated the 5 year anniversary of the Davis-Shai House.
• 2006 - A $300,000 State Capital Improvement Grant received by the Heath Community Arts Council paved the way for expansion of the facility.
• 2008 - Two ordinances passed by the City of Heath to meet legal requirements for expansion and to ensure the Davis-Shai House would operate as a Cultural Center until 2033.
• 2008 - A $725,000 State Capital Improvement Grant received by the Heath Community Arts Council for the expansion.
• 2008 - Launched Davis-Shai House website

To gain insight into the home's history, become acquainted with the Davis and Shai families, and learn more about the historic move of the Davis-Shai House, you are invited to read the chapter "Preserving a Piece of History" from the book Heath, Ohio: Hometown Memories written by Janice M. Wilkin.

Download the PDF of "Preserving a Piece of History" Here.