BETHESDA — The Epworth Park Foundation hosted cottage tours Thursday evening to introduce area residents to the historic location.

The foundation provided food and drinks that were donated by members of the foundation. Music was also provided by the Wheeling Symphony Trio during the cocktail hour before the cottage tours started.

Epworth Park is a historic site in Bethesda established in 1870 as a Methodist campground. It was owned and operated by the Methodist Church of East Ohio Conference until 2018. The church was interested in dievesting the park, which led to the owners of cottages at the park organizing to create the Epworth Park Cottage Association.

The park features over 60 cottages that are owned by residents of the Ohio Valley.

Steve Avdakov, who is a board member of both the Epworth Park Cottage Association and the Epworth Park Foundation, said the organizations want local residents to know about the hidden gem.

“We feel like the park is in a good place, and we’re on an upswing and we want to reach out to the rest of the Ohio Valley as well as the region. We want to let everyone know what a wonderful jewel exists here in Bethesda,” he said.

Avdakov believes that a lot of the residents of the Ohio Valley region are unfamiliar with Epworth Park.

“We want to ensure people are aware because we care about the future of this place,” Avadakov said.

He emphasized the importance of knowing the history of the park because, “with the future, we first have to honor the past.”

He mentioned that the park was also a part of the Chautauqua movement.

That movement was a reflection of nationwide interests in adult education that had religious roots but later included general education, recreation and entertainment in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

“The park is moving forward while honoring the past but recognizing that it needs to do some improvements to ensure our viability going forward,” Avadakov said.

Avadakov is the principal and owner of the Heritage Architectural Association, which is working to list the property on the National Registry of Historical Places. The registry is a list of sites of historical importance made by the federal government. Avadakov believes that it was something that should have been done a long time ago. Being on the registry will provide the park with financial incentives as well as help to be able to protect the character of the park. The park recently became a nonprofit organization.

“We’re an old park. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be updated. We’re trying to do that through the 501(c)(3) and wanted to schedule this so we could meet with other people who are like minded and just rub elbows and gain ideas and friendships to be able to further our 501(c)(3) here,” Epworth Park Foundation President Doug Frizzi said.

Frizzi stressed the history of the park and noted that the main goal of the Epworth Park Foundation is to preserve the historical and cultural significance of the place.

The Epworth Park Foundation is seeking additional board members.

“We are seeking board members that can bring us expertise in grant procurement, legal professionals, educators and individuals interested in preserving our heritage and help us to prepare for the future,” a press release states.

In addition to the cottages, the park features a small lake, paved trails, wooded areas, ball fields, a shelter and a playground.