Oxford City Council honors Oxford native, reviews OCAC progress and airport plans

Oxford City Council proclaimed Oct. 29 as Caroline Scott Harrison Day, heard the Oxford Community Arts Center’s (OCAC) annual report and future renovation plans, and approved resolutions tied to Miami University’s airport annexation during its Oct. 21 meeting.

Caroline Scott Harrison

Mayor William Snavely proclaimed Oct. 29 would be dedicated to Oxford native Caroline Scott Harrison.

Harrison was born on Oct. 1, 1832. She was the first lady to President Benjamin Harrison and was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree in the White House. She also brought electricity into the White House and was the first president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

She was “an advocate of education for women,” according to Snavely, and raised funds for Johns Hopkins Medical School in order to create the opportunity for women to be admitted “on the same basis as men.”

The proclamation was presented to Heidi Schiller, executive director of the OCAC. The building housing the OCAC is the former home of the historic 1849 Oxford Female Institute building, the same school that Harrison attended. 

Snavely said he “urge(s) all citizens to celebrate her importance here in Oxford and as (a) first lady.”

OCAC review

Schiller spoke to the council about the OCAC and its accomplishments over the past year.

“As we enter our 25th year, the OCAC is a vibrant nonprofit arts center housed within the historic 176-year-old Oxford Female Institute,” said Schiller. “We are home to artists, instructors, performers and community groups (and) use a combination of strategic planning and intentional governments through a wide range of classes, exhibitions, performances and events.”

Schiller stressed the importance OCAC’s role plays in bringing individuals together through shared creative experiences. 

From 2024-2025, the OCAC curated 22 art exhibitions that featured 154 local artists and 695 pieces of art. 

The OCAC also “engaged 100 regional and national performers, including 88 Ohio residents, in 20 live shows that entertained the Oxford community,” according to Schiller.

“Community support for 2024-2025 is unprecedented,” Schiller added. “With 260 individuals and businesses donating to the OCAC’s annual campaign and 85 volunteers giving over 2,500 hours that saved the OCAC over $67,000 in personal costs.”

Schiller discussed how the support and help the OCAC has received in the past year has helped pave the way for the OCAC’s phase four campaign, which will “transform the OCAC’s capacity into a year-round community hub and (an) economic development partner.”

The centerpiece of this project will be a second floor renovation, which will include new classrooms, more artist studios, a technology center, rentable meeting space and air conditioning.

“We are proud to serve Oxford as we honor our historic roots,” Schiller said. “(We) strive to meet today’s needs and imagine the fire that opens doors for all.”

Miami University Airport

Two resolutions were approved by the council relating to the area’s local airport, the Miami University Airport - OXD.

Miami University submitted a proposed annexation to the Butler County Commissioners to annex 157.217 acres of land in the remaining portion of the Miami University airport, according to Douglas Elliott, Oxford city manager.

The goal for this land and the airport is to become a “hub for innovation in advanced air mobility (AAM),” according to Elliott.

“Annexing this land to the city will enable infrastructure extensions and upgrades, as well as great opportunities for development,” he added.

The first resolution contains a statement that indicates services that the city would provide upon the formal annexation of the property, while the second resolution deals with “the many buffers that might be required,” according to Elliott.