Friends of the Lathrop House

5717Main Street

Sylvania, Ohio 43560

March 21, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact persons: Sue McHugh (419) 882-8653, Kathy Rotte (419) 885-7301

Devers Family Foundation Major Gift to Lathrop House Announced

Members of the Vin Devers family announced today a major gift of $25,000 to save and preserve the historic Lathrop House in Sylvania. The announcement was made at this evening’s meeting of the Sylvania Township Trustees by Paul W. Devers and Thomas V. Devers, sons of dealership founder Vin Devers.

In making this gift, Paul Devers, President of Vin Devers Dodge-Audi-Mercedes-Benz, said that his family wanted to continue its tradition of community support and involvement in a significant way. “Back in 1956 my father took a chance and opened a car dealership on North Main Street, which was at that time a rural farmland area. Look at where we are today. Sylvania has been wonderful to our family. My brother and I both graduated from Sylvania High School, attended St. Joseph Church and saw many of our friends and neighbors choose Vin Devers for their automotive needs. We’re truly proud of our Sylvania history and this is our chance to give something back to the community,” he stated.

Mr. and Mrs. Vin Devers raised their family in Sylvania, where they still reside. Tom Devers, Vice President of Vin Devers, recalls being in the cellar of the Lathrop home when he was about 10 years old. Devers stated that he remembered stopping at the old Lathrop home with the neighborhood paperboy to look at an antique car that was there. While he was there he was invited in to see where the fugitive slaves were hidden on their journey on the Underground Railroad. Not understanding the nature of the Underground Railroad, he remembers being disappointed at that age that there weren’t any real train tracks to be seen.

The Lathrop House, built circa 1835, is a documented stop on the Underground Railroad, sheltering fugitive slaves as they made their way to freedom in Canada. It remains the oldest and most historic home in Sylvania, built in a classic Greek Revival style. Additionally, numerous individuals who have lived in the home have played significant roles in regional and national history. This major gift will help secure the future of this home and save it from demolition.

Initially located just a few blocks north of the Lathrop House on Main Street, the Vin Devers organization started out small, but has since grown into one of the top dealerships of Dodge-Audi-Mercedes Benz in the United States.