The Sylvania Heritage Center Museum was the home of Dr. Uriah A. Cooke who purchased the property in 1897.   It remained in the Cooke family until 1989.  After a 1902 renovation, the home served as Cooke's medical office as well as the family home.  Many of the architectural features of the medical office are still visible as you walk through the home.  The original physicians office and apothecary remain intact.  The three story home has ten rooms on the first floor, four bedrooms and a storage area on the second floor and a third floor with hardwood flooring and window seats.  This space was used as a billiards room and housed a cistern which supplied gravity fed water.  A basement with six rooms was added during the 1902 remodeling.  

A spacious entry room featuring an ornate fireplace and carved wood staircase welcomed visitors into the Cooke home. A hallway off the entry room leads to the 3 room suite of the doctors office.    The oak hardwood floor extends into the dining room which features an intricate ceiling treatment, a window seat, and pocket door with a faux finish.  The lighting fixture in the dining room is not original to the house, but is reminiscent of the era of the house.  The pantry off the dining room features floor to ceiling storage, typical of the era.  A small work area includes a pull out work surface and flour and sugar bins. 

   The only bathroom, circa 1915, is located off the dining room.  The room features original tiles and a claw foot cast iron tub. 

   Attached to the rear of the house is a hand hewn barn from the 1860's.   This two room barn housed the doctors horse and buggy. A unique feature of the barn was an indoor outhouse!

   Dr. Cooke was one of four children.  Born in 1870, he lived in the house until his death in 1942.  Cooke, a Republican, served on the Sylvania School board and help found the Sylvania Savings bank.  He was appointed medical director in Sylvania for the poor from 1927 - 1930 and 1934 - 1938.  He attended the Methodist Episcopal Church in Sylvania.