Schweikert was born in Dayton, but moved at an early age to Beavercreek where he played soccer, drums and first became interested in history, thanks to a stimulating history teacher at Beavercreek High School.
After graduating from BHS in 1985, Schweikert attended Wright State University where he earned a degree in education and history. He substituted in the Beavercreek Schools and then accepted a position at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
He eventually earned a master’s degree in mental health and worked as a therapist. He met Janet, a nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and married in 1997.
“I lived in a 1927 home in Belmont and Janet lived in a 1918 home in Xenia, so I moved to Xenia,” said Schweikert, who currently works full-time in Springfield for the Clark County Mental Health Services and part time for The Community Network, a crisis call center in Xenia. “I joined the Greene County Historical Society 12 years ago and have been chairman of the Home Tour for the past five years.”
After raising Jesse, Jacob and Joseph, the Schweikerts moved to the John Marshall House in Sugarcreek Township where they immediately began redecorating the high-ceilinged house that may have been part of the Underground Railroad.
“I have an old 1880s postcard from a Marshall relative saying that there was a tunnel leading from the house to the barn that was used in the Underground Railroad,” said Schweikert, who visits older homes in Savannah, Charleston and Boston with his wife to get ideas for redecorating.
“The house was built by John Marshall, a veteran of the War of 1812 on 1,000 acres of land that cost only $6 an acre.”
Marshall currently is seeking older homes in Beavercreek, Sugarcreek Township and Alpha to include in the 2010 Christmas Home Tour and asks that interested home owners call him at (937) 681-6152. Past homes have included dwellings like the Jonathan Winters Home in Bellbrook.
“We like unique homes that are older, or just interesting to look at,” said Schweikert, who has shown his home, a designated landmark, twice during the tours.
“It’s great for the homeowner, because you have an opportunity to talk about your house and the history of it. People who visit don’t expect it to be perfect, they just want to learn about the history of the area and the money we raise goes to help preserve the history of Greene County.”
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