Last Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Progress Through Preservation held there monthly meeting at the Historic Onesto Lofts.
The McKinley Ballroom
The group asked me to create a movie based on the life of Francis A. Onesto, and how his hard work helped him create the most luxurious hotel in Canton, Hotel Onesto.
They were very pleased with the photographs from the Lovaty Collection, and the other information we gathered at the Ramsayer Research Library for this project.
Before dinner there was a time when we could gather in the hotel lobby. I was very honored to meet two of Frank Onesto’s relatives, a great-nephew, and a niece. Marilyn Stevens told me she worked for her Uncle Frank in the hotel offices upstairs, in order to keep her safe from the boy callers. She also told me the story of Uncle Frank’s Cadillac El Camino Convertible he bought after the “War.” Marilyn talked about how her Uncle would let her drive his car to Hartville to buy fresh fruit.
Marilyn Steven
Original Plates and Goblet from Hotel Onesto
Thank you to Phil for sharing your original artifacts!
My niece Jennifer Jacobsen, and I enjoyed the company of Jan and Brett Haverlick, the Project Manager of the the Onesto restoration. The buffet style meal was absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere was delightful.
After dinner Steve Coon spoke on the restoration of Hotel Onesto, and gave us a tour of the lofts.
Thank you to Progress Through Preservation, Brett & Jan Haverlick, Steve Coon, and John Miller!
Thank you also to the Staff & Volunteers of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum!
More Later…
