The College recently received the gift of a multi-use historic building at 403 Xenia Avenue in downtown Yellow Springs.

Local champions of Antioch College, Dr. Esther (Class of 1959) and David Battle, collaborated with the College’s Office of Advancement to protect their historic building in the heart of Yellow Springs in an effort to support the College and the architectural values of Village and the mission of the Tecumseh Land Trust. (TLT). Esther Battle says, “We are pleased that the gift of this historic building will be a meaningful contribution to the future of Antioch College and the architectural integrity of the Village.”

An iconic downtown building, 403 Xenia Avenue boasts office and residential rental space. The Battles have occupied the building for more than 30 years — it houses Clinical Psychologist Dr. Esther Battle’s office as well as David Battle’s design studio, where, as Art Director for The Antioch Review, he designs their evocative covers. Additional downstairs offices are available, while efficiency apartments are located upstairs in the building.

“We couldn’t be more delighted with this generous gift from alumna Esther Battle ’59 and her husband David,” says Antioch College Vice President for Advancement Susanne Hashim. “In addition to representing a very significant contribution to Antioch College, a gift of real property has distinct advantages to the donor. This is the first gift of this kind since the College reopened, and we hope that others might be inspired by the Battles’ example.”

As part of the condition of the property transfer to the College, 403 Xenia Avenue now has a historic preservation easement thanks to work completed by TLT. The Battles wanted to ensure that the historic facade of the building would be protected in perpetuity. This building was a part of the successful application by the Village for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. TLT has previously done this type of easement, but not frequently. The preservation easement can only be held by a nonprofit organization, such as TLT, who are qualified to manage and monitor compliance. “We are delighted to be a part of this project,” says Krista Magaw, executive director of TLT. “In researching it, we established some very helpful associations with the Ohio History Connection and Heritage Ohio.” The Battles wish to express their appreciation to the essential role of TLT in developing and maintaining the historic easement on their former property.  

Now that the donation has been completed, the property will be placed on the market for sale as authorized by Antioch College’s Board of Trustees and as agreed upon by the Battle family.

Antioch College’s President Tom Manley states, “The significance of the Battle’s thoughtful gift can’t be measured by monetary value alone, although it is most generous in that regard. Its generational and local nature speaks to the deep, mutual relationships that Antioch College has inspired among its alumni and many Yellow Springs community supporters over the decades.” He adds, “Its intention is to ensure the possibility of an Antioch College education far into the future.”