Part of the Middlebury Neighborhood Plan, the Middlebury Millstone Monument is a physical representation of Middlebury’s rich history. You can find the millstone at the intersection of East Market and Exchange street, right in front of Fire Station #2. The plaque reads “The site of the public square of Middlebury, the oldest part of what is now the City of Akron. Settled in 1807 by Captain Joseph Hart, Middlebury became an important milling center symbolized by this millstone. Here the first schoolhouse and town hall and Akron’s first church was organized.” Neighborhood Network took donations at events in 2021 to purchase the new plaque as well as pay a local contractor to redo the masonry the millstone sits on. This initiative was aimed at incorporating Middlebury’s history and identity into the neighborhood’s public space. At our 10th anniversary celebration in May 2022, members of the community were able to see the work done on the millstone before they took a tour of the fire station.
To coincide with the millstone renewal, artist Mac Love of ArtXLove gave the Middlebury Kids Daycare a few history honoring paintings as well. Located on Case Ave, the bright blue building now has a mural painted by children at the 2016 Better Block, as well as an art piece showcasing Middlebury’s contribution to the clay industry. On top of that, the Middlebury Millstone Monument is featured in the ArtXLove Akron On Deck 2!