Library

This part of the house was added in 1831, when Arvine Wales purchased Spring Hill. He created this Library along with two bedrooms, giving the family more space and a place to showcase knowledge, travel, and heritage. You were truly a family of prominence if you had your own library and the tomes to fill it! Feel free to take a look at the books housed here – they cover a wide variety of topics and include those recovered from Thomas and Charity’s collection.

Continuing our story, tragedy struck in 1882 when Arvine Chaffee died, leaving Eliza to raise her three children and run a farm alone. In mourning, she stopped entertaining and eventually moved her family to California for a time. During their absence, tenant farmers lived here, and many of the rooms of the house we boarded up for a time.

The Wales would return to Massillon and Helen Wales would marry Robert Skinner in 1897. As a wedding gift and a tremendous vote of confidence, President William McKinley appointed Robert as foreign ambassador to France. He and Helen would travel the world together, but came back to visit Spring Hill over the years. Eliza would split her time between visiting Helen abroad and Arvine III at Spring Hill until her death in 1914.

Arvine III was at Yale during the time the family was in California, and in 1900 married Edna McClymonds. President McKinley and his wife Ida made an appearance at the wedding – in fact, the ceremony was postponed for an hour to accommodate their arrival! Arvine III was connected with the Massillon Savings & Banking Co., treasurer and manager of Griscom Russell Co., formerly Russell & co., and managed Spring Hill farm. He built a large home, water tower and stable up on the hill. He and Edna had 6 children. In 1923, their home burned to the ground and the family decided to move to Ossining, New York. There are direct descendants of Arvine III’s living in New York and California today.

Horatio Wales returned to Spring Hill in 1900 and worked with his brother in Massillon. Did you notice the curiosity cabinet and the spear and shield in the corner? These were gifts from Horatio’s 1903 trip to Abyssinia—modern-day Ethiopia—where he traveled with his brother-in-law, Robert Skinner.

Their mission was to form ties with King Menelik II. The King, a keen observer of world events, spoke with them about global politics, then President Theodore Roosevelt, and even shared in discussions of hunting and conservation. Their stay included banquets, a traditional safari, and exchanges of gifts.

Horatio himself gave up his favorite rifle when the King admired it—saying later there isn’t much one can do when a King says he likes your gun. In return, Horatio received the spear and shield you see here, which became prized family heirlooms. Before departing, the Americans were also presented with two lion cubs for the United States. Horatio cared for them on the journey home, and they were placed in the National Zoo. A photograph of Horatio holding one of those cubs still exists today in the bedroom nearby.

When Horatio Wales married Irene McLain in 1910, Spring Hill saw some important updates. Irene requested modern conveniences—plumbing, electricity, central heating, and even an indoor bathroom and kitchen. And sure enough, she got them all. While Horatio ran the affairs of the farm, it was Irene who truly safeguarded the history of Spring Hill.

While clearing out the Wool House, she discovered a barrel filled with family papers—the Rotch-Wales Papers, now preserved at the Massillon Public Library. From that point on, she dedicated her life to researching, collecting, protecting and sharing the family’s legacy. She took a pause in 1952, when Horatio passed away. Irene started to welcome local children into the house, donated important artifacts to the Massillon Museum and library, and opened Spring Hill for school tours.

When Irene passed away in 1973, she ensured the property’s future. She left funds in her will to help purchase the home from the Wales heirs, with the rest raised by dedicated volunteers. At her request, Spring Hill became a historic site and we are able to carry on her mission of educating the community. The bedroom is staged as Irene’s space as a tribute to her legacy.

When you’re ready, let’s head upstairs.