Information
Landmark: Troy-Hayner Cultural CenterCity: Troy
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, Troy, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
At 301 West Main Street in Troy, Ohio, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center fills a stately old mansion with striking architecture and a lively mix of cultural events.It began as a private home, but now it’s a lively community space where people gather for art classes, music nights, readings, and projects that keep local history alive.People admire it not just for its impact on the arts, but for the charm of its early 20th-century buildings-brick facades, tall windows-still standing as a testament to its history.Built in 1914, the mansion served as the private home of Mary Jane Harter Coleman Hayner, widow of William S., who once filled its wide front porch with baskets of summer flowers.Hayner, founder of the Hayner Distilling Company, built a thriving whiskey business long before Prohibition, its oak barrels lining the warehouse in neat rows.When her husband died in 1895, Mary Jane Hayner had the house built to show both her comfort and her standing, and before long its tall windows and grand porch made it one of Troy’s most admired private homes.In her will, Mary Jane Hayner made it clear the house must be used to benefit the community through education and culture, a place where neighbors might gather to hear music or share ideas.In 1942, following her wishes, the mansion’s heavy oak doors opened under new ownership as it passed to the Troy Board of Education.From 1943 to 1976, it served as the town’s public library, its wooden shelves lined with well-worn books.After the library relocated, workers preserved the old brick building and turned it into a lively cultural center.In 1976, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center opened its doors to the public, inviting the community to gather, create, and share the arts beneath its tall stained-glass windows.The building showcases classic Tudor Revival design-sometimes labeled Norman Romanesque Revival-with steep gables and brickwork that stood out in the early 20th century, when the style was a favorite for affluent homes.Key features of the mansion’s design include stucco walls paired with dark, exposed wooden beams, a classic Tudor mix that gives the exterior a warm, textured look.Steeply pitched gables rise above the roof, while decorative chimneys add an aristocratic elegance, their brickwork crisp against the sky.Each room has its own leaded glass design, set into beveled windows that catch the light in a way you won’t forget.The stone masonry base anchors the house, its rough texture lending a solid, grounded feel.Ornate woodwork lines the interior, with custom-carved panels and staircases that reflect the skill of early 20th-century craftsmen, each curve and groove catching the warm glow of afternoon light.Several rooms boast fireplaces framed in deep, polished marble, each one showing off its own unique design, from swirling gray veins to warm honey streaks.Stained-glass windows brighten formal rooms and hallways, turning sunlight into a warm wash of soft, colored light.The center’s rooms are filled with early 1900s décor-velvet chairs, brass lamps-that draws visitors straight into the world of the mansion’s first resident.On the east side of the lawn, historic light posts stand tall, their metal bases worn smooth by decades of weather.They once stood on the Adams Street Bridge, but were moved to the center grounds to help preserve them and add beauty-like setting weathered stone in a garden where it can breathe again.At the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, the calendar stays full with lively events and classes for neighbors of every age, from summer art workshops to winter concerts that fill the hall with music.It hosts art exhibitions, with fresh shows rotating every six to eight weeks-sometimes the scent of new paint still lingers in the gallery.It brings together emerging talent and seasoned artists from all over the region, from a painter just starting out to a veteran sculptor whose hands are worn smooth from years of work.You’ll find classic pieces like oil paintings, carved stone figures, and black‑and‑white photographs, alongside bold contemporary works in mixed media and glowing digital displays.The Concert Series brings chamber music to life in the mansion’s elegant drawing room, where violins echo softly against polished wood.Jazz in March brings a full month of live music, showcasing local and regional artists-think warm trumpet notes drifting through the evening air.The Lucky Lemonade Series takes place in the courtyard on warm summer evenings, with glasses clinking under the fading light.Fridays on Prouty is a downtown tradition, where lively bands fill Prouty Plaza with music that drifts through the warm evening air.We run over 50 classes and workshops each year, from hands‑on pottery sessions to lively writing groups.We cover everything from painting and photography to writing, music, and even hands-on crafts like weaving or pottery.Each season brings art camps for kids and hands-on workshops for adults, from painting bright summer landscapes to shaping clay on cool autumn afternoons.Special Events Boo Bash: a lively Halloween party for kids, packed with hands-on crafts, sweet treats, and costume contests where capes swish and masks sparkle.Holiday Decor Showcase: In December, local designers and volunteers fill every room of the mansion with its own distinct theme, from twinkling lights in the grand hall to cozy garlands draped over the library’s mantel.Valentine Dinner and a Show: Enjoy a candlelit three-course meal, then settle in for live music or a captivating play.The center takes part in Troy, Ohio’s PorchFest, a lively community music event where local bands play from front porches in the historic district, filling the air with guitar riffs and friendly chatter while bringing neighbors together and highlighting the town’s old homes.Beyond its cultural programs, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center opens its doors to local clubs, non-profits, and civic groups-hosting everything from town hall meetings to small art workshops where the scent of fresh paint lingers.More than thirty local groups meet at the center for their regular get‑togethers-book clubs flipping through worn paperbacks, civic societies debating next steps, and art collectives spreading canvases across the tables.The mansion hosts lectures, poetry readings, heritage talks, and intimate stage performances, and it’s available for weddings or other special events.In 2023, the Cotner-Hayner Annex opened its doors, adding fresh space to match the center’s growing role.At 22 North Short Street, right next to it, stands a Craftsman-style home built in 1921 and carefully restored to preserve its vintage charm, now featuring a cozy craft and meeting room for small workshops and children’s programs.Versatile rooms that work for an afternoon budget meeting or a quiet birthday gathering.Extra space for local groups to meet, rearrange chairs, and gather however they need.With the annex in place, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center can host events at the same time, opening up more room for art classes and growing its role in community development.Admission is free, so anyone can stop by anytime-just walk in and explore.We’re open Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.-and the doors stay shut on major holidays.In the end, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center isn’t just a carefully preserved mansion with creaking hardwood floors-it’s a lively arts and culture hub woven into the very fabric of Troy, Ohio.It blends keeping local history alive with engaging the community in ways that point toward the future.With exhibits that span from local art to live concerts, plus classes and community gatherings, it keeps Mary Jane Hayner’s legacy alive, bringing warmth and inspiration to residents and visitors alike.With its lovingly maintained architecture and lively events-like music echoing through the town square-it’s become a proud centerpiece of civic spirit and cultural life in Miami County.
