Updated:5/13/2013

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Eat, Drink, and Support Hanby House

Enjoy a delicious meal at Bob Evans and help Hanby House raise funds for ongoing projects. On Wednesday, May 29, 15% of the day's sales will be donated to Hanby House. Simply visit the Bob Evans location at 841 N. State Street in Westerville (at the intersection of Polaris Parkway) between the hours of 10AM and 10PM and present the Community Fundraiser flyer at the time of check out. Click here to go to a printable flyer to take with you. Print as many as you need and share with friends. Thank you for your support. Bon Appétit!

 

 

Welcome to the official site for the Hanby House State Memorial. Located in Westerville Ohio, Hanby House is the former home of William and Ann (Miller) Hanby. Built in 1846 at the corner of Main and Grove Streets, the Hanby family occupied the house from 1853-1870. It has been moved twice, most recently during the 1930s, to its present site which is just one block west of the original location.

William Hanby was the 15th Bishop of the United Brethren in Christ Church. He served as editor of the church newspaper, The Religious Telescope. He was an abolitionist and opened his home as a station on the Underground Railroad. Bishop Hanby was co-founder of Otterbein University. He also worked in the early Temperance Movement against the use of alcohol.

Bishop and Ann's oldest child, Benjamin Russel Hanby, was in the second graduating class of Otterbein University in 1858. He was a United Brethren preacher, a teacher, an abolitionist and a composer. During his short life, he composed over 80 songs including Darling Nelly Gray, Up on the Housetop, and Who is He in Yonder Stall? The latter is included in the current United Methodist Hymnal.

The house is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also designated as a United Methodist Heritage Landmark. In 2011, the National Park Service Network to Freedom recognized Hanby House as a significant Underground Railroad site.

The home contains furniture and personal items from the family. There are two chairs made by Bishop Hanby and a walnut desk made by Benjamin Hanby. The original plates for Benjamin's favorite version of Darling Nelly Gray and a large collection of sheet music and books are at the site. The house is managed by the Westerville Historical Society under agreement with the Ohio Historical Society.

 

Looking for Volunteer Guides

Do you have a few extra hours a month or can you volunteer for special occasions? Contact site manager Pam Allen at hanbyhouse@yahoo.com or call 614 891-6289. Training is provided. No special talents or experience needed other than enjoying history and sharing it with others.