Our History
A Timeline of the Davis-Shai House and its revival
1861 - Built by Jackson Davis along the Ohio and Erie Canal
Built in 1861, Jackson Davis (b. 1828) built the home along the Ohio & Erie Canal (now Route 79). The large sandstone foundation was carried by canal boat and the bricks were built on-site in a kiln. Davis lived in the home with his wife, Sarah Emily “Emma” Davis, and his four children: Lucious, Mark, George and William, until his death in 1863.
Emma Davis remarried John Armstrong in 1867 and gave birth to two more children - Nellie Ellen and Mattie “Mame.”
The Davis/Armstrong children inherited the home in 1907. Nellie was a music teacher and George worked as a farmer for the surrounding property. Mame Armstrong contracted rheumatoid arthritis at age 22 and was bedridden for most of her life. She spent most of her time writing letters to people around the world and watching the canal boats go by from her first floor bedroom. Mame would sit at the window, tapping and rubbing her fingers on the windowsill while watching the canal boats pass by. Today, you can still see the indentation. Four of the Davis/Armstrong children remained in the home until 1944; William Davis, Nellie Armstrong, Mary Alice and Lucious Edgar Davis.
Two of the rooms in the historic house are named after Emma and Mame - Emily’s Tea Room and Mame’s Parlor.
Mame Armstrong contracted rheumatoid arthritis at age 22 and was bedridden for most of her life. She spent most of her time writing letters to people around the world and watching the canal boats go by from her first floor bedroom. Mame would sit at the window, tapping and rubbing her fingers on the windowsill while watching the canal boats pass by. Today, you can still see the indentation.
In 1995, J. Shai II decided to sell the surrounding farmland for commercial development. He donated the home to the City of Heath to preserve one of the city’s oldest landmarks. The City of Heath had 60 days to move the house, or it would be demolished. After the 60 day period, a 2-week extension and final possible locations for the house falling through, the move finally happened on April 16, 1996.
This historic crown jewel of Licking County, weighing 360 tons, made its 1 and 1/2 mile journey from 901 Hebron Road to the current location at 301 Central Parkway. Many volunteer hours, local businesses and donations went in to helping move and save this historic home.
In 1999, a $500K state capital improvement grant was gifted to the City of Heath to update the Davis-Shai house and make it into a cultural arts and events center.
The Newark Advocate
November, 23rd, 1963
TWIGS is Together With Important Goals, a volunteer organization that helps raise funds for local hospitals.
The Newark Advocate
March 28th, 1985
1945 - Purchased at Sheriff sale by Dr. Joseph Park Shai
1960 - Deed transferred to Dr. Joseph Park Shai II
Dr. Joseph Park Shai I, a local dentist, purchased the home in 1945 in a sheriff sale. While he never lived in the home, he rented it to a tenant farmer, Harry Wolford. The Shai family added heating and indoor plumbing to the home.
In 1960, J. Park Shai transferred ownership to his son, Joseph Park Shai II, also a dentist. He lived in the home with his wife, Doris, and their two children, Marian Elizabeth and J. Park Shai III.
The Shai family loved to host social gatherings and have children playing throughout the home. Renovations included adding an indoor kitchen, family room and garage. Bedrooms were enlarged and fireplaces were reduced from 12 to 4.
1996 - Moved to its present location on April 16th
from 901 Hebron Rd, to 301 Central Pkwy, Heath
The NewarkAdvocate
June 6th, 1995
The Newark Advocate
November 22nd, 1996
1999 - A $500,000 State Capital Improvement Grant received
by the City of Heath transformed the home into a cultural center
The Newark Advocate
May 9th, 1997
The Newark Advocate
May 18th, 1997
The Newark Advocate
June 24th, 1998
The Newark Advocate
January 13th, 1997
2000 Davis-Shai House proclaimed a historical landmark and the Heath Community Arts Council formed to manage the facility and fundraise
The Newark Advocate
July 4th, 1998
The Newark Advocate
September 23rd, 2001
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 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 the 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
2009 - $1.6 million expansion of the Davis-Shai House began in late summer
2010 - Won the $250,000 national Pepsi Refresh Everything grant and planted phase 1 of the Legacy Garden
The Newark Advocate
June 14th, 2009
The Newark Advocate
June 19th, 2009
2010 - Grand re-opening celebration held September 17th-18th
The Newark Advocate
January 10th, 2011
2011 - Tornado damaged the west side of historic second floor
The Newark Advocate
April 24th, 2011
Add tornado pics
2015 - First annual Heath Oktoberfest held
as a fundraiser for the Heath Community Arts Council
