October 25, 2025 was truly a “grand” day for The Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation as the Reymann family, Foundation members, Foundation partners, and community friends and neighbors, celebrated the completion of Our Journey Home with the official Grand Opening of the Reymann Foundation’s “New” Headquarters. Yes, new, but also old, as we return to our roots, Charles and Salome’s family home. Our homecoming was celebrated with lunch, presentations by Steve Reymann, our board chairman, Shammas Malik, the mayor of Akron, Foundation Advisor Bill Considine, CEO Emeritus, Akron Children’s Hospital, Alan Burge of Alan R. Burge Architecture, Phil Adkins of Adkins Building Company, and Foundation Advisor Jeff Wilhite, Executive Director of Family Promise of Summit County, a blessing of our new headquarters by Rev. Michael Williamson, pastor of St. Matthew Parish, the ribbon cutting, and tours. The headquarters features a board room in the former hay loft, a Reymann museum for memorabilia in the former barn, and an office, meeting space, bathroom, and kitchenette in the former three-bay garage area. We’ve also included an outdoor gathering space.
Thoughts of utilizing this remarkable space have fermented in many Reymann family member’s brains for years. The Foundation is honored to be the proprietor of the Reymann Home and grounds in East Akron, and as such, the preservation of the buildings and property has always been a priority.
Our path to what became known as “Our Journey Home” began in 2023 when a few board members seriously thought of the potential benefit for the space to the Foundation, as well as to the Reymann family and the Ellet community. Months of research followed, the idea was presented to the Board of Directors which then conducted its due diligence, and input was collected from community leaders and non-profit executives. Support and encouragement were well-received from the mayor’s office, Ellet 6th Ward councilmen, the Akron History Center, the Ellet Historical Society, St. Matthew Parish, Community Support Services, renters of the Reymann Home, and the Foundation’s full Advisory Board. Reymann granddaughter Mary Beth Conroy was a main benefactor of the project. In August of 2024 the Board was presented with “The Plan,” the proposed plan, to repurpose the garage/barn at the historic Reymann Home into a usable space for the Foundation. The repurposing was met with overwhelming approval.
Alan Burge developed the building plans. Adkins Building Company was selected for construction. Groundbreaking was in June 2025. The repurposing seemed to move at a rapid speed. Crews and volunteers worked hard. Trees and roots compromising the foundation were removed, earth was leveled, cement was poured, utilities were connected, interior walls were removed, an area was carved out for the creation of a custom staircase, flooring, paint, lighting, and all finishes were selected, and doors were chosen. All interior doors are solid oak, each with a cross in the design. Lore states that Salome Reymann specifically asked for this style of door to be used throughout the Reymann Home. All woodwork is 6” wide, again emulating the craftsman trim work at the Reymann Home. The bathroom ceiling panels are a nod to the coffered ceiling treatment in both the Reymann Home dining room and the front porch. The wainscoting wall treatment is a nod to the wainscoting in the Reymann Home’s dining room. The blue wall color is a shade of ‘Reymann Blue,’ part of the Foundation’s logo and brand color. A lighter shade of blue was used for the Atlantic Foundry’s brand, and we are told that Charles Reymann chose this color in honor of Our Blessed Mother, Mary.
While professionals were working on the structure, Reymann family members and Board members restored heirloom Reymann family furniture pieces that were originally in the Reymann Home. A portrait of Charles Reymann, our patriarch, finally found its way back to the homestead. Over the years, the portrait hung in the Reymann living room above the fireplace mantel, the Charles Reymann Knights of Columbus Hall, and a Reymann granddaughter’s home. Finishings and furniture are reminiscent of the Reymann family, the Atlantic Foundry and the San Hygene Company. A wall mirror/hat rack once hung in the vestibule of the Reymann Home. The sconce lighting in hammered copper is reminiscent of ‘foundry’ work. The lighting and roll holder in the bathroom are reminiscent of ‘tooling,’ with industrial knobs and details. A desk was originally used in the offices of the Atlantic Foundry on Beaver Street. An original bourbon barrel chair is on display.
Perhaps the most stunning artifact is the Atlantic Foundry “A.” This sign, ten feet in diameter, once graced the Atlantic Foundry building on Beaver Street. Due to its large size, the sign was visible for miles across Akron. The sign was salvaged upon the demolition of the Foundry in 2023, and has been reconditioned to a new purpose, as lighting in the Reymann Museum.
Throughout the construction project we were thrilled with the professionalism and diligence of all the tradesmen, electricians, carpenters, masons, and plumbers. Their respect for the historical significance of the structure was evident.
The entire project process was especially poignant for Reymanns who are old enough to remember playing in the barn and attending huge summer family reunions, with the garage being front and center to all the activities. Many visitors to the headquarters report experiencing memories evoking deep emotions.
The Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation is positioned to be better able to serve the family, our community, and most importantly, those in Northeast Ohio who need our help to live the full life they deserve.
We are grateful to all who joined us on Our Journey Home!