Our Story

Located in Auglaize County, Ohio, the former Buckland Elementary School was built in 1927 as a 12-year school. It later became a high school, hosting countless memories for students who performed on its stage, cheered on the boys’ basketball team, and filled its classrooms for generations. The high school closed in 1964 when it was consolidated into Wapakoneta City Schools.

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In the 1990s, the building was used for fifth grade students until it closed in 2005. By 2015, the Bethlehem Church had repurposed the space as a community center, before it was eventually sold to a private owner. 

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Each new chapter of this building’s life has brought renewed energy. Four years ago, local residents Dan and Cathy Lambert purchased the property with a desire to preserve it from decline.

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“Our initial goal was to keep the grounds clean so it didn’t become an eyesore for the village,” Dan recalls. As their vision grew, and with years of hard work, their plans have blossomed into reality.

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Starting with the gymnasium renovation, the Lamberts poured their effort into transforming the space. Today, The Hidden Gem Event Center is open and ready to host parties, weddings, concerts, and meaningful celebrations.

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Their long-term plan is for the gymnasium to thrive as a premier wedding and event venue, while the remainder of the building will be converted into apartments. After years of permits, planning, and determination, The Hidden Gem Event Center is now open for bookings of all kinds.

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For decades, the gymnasium and stage were the heart of the school, where children played, athletes competed, and audiences gathered on wooden plank bleachers. Naming the new venue The Hidden Gem is both a tribute and a transformation—a playful nod to the “gym” now hidden within the beautifully remodeled space.

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While the gym has been renewed, its spirit remains. The Hidden Gem shines as a gathering place for the community, carrying forward both history and hope. Landscaping, signage, and outdoor décor are being completed in preparation for an Open House this October.

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“The building was owned by the Village when I worked for the Buckland Telephone Company and the gym was used as a teen center,” Dan remembers. “For the first couple of years, I just kept the grounds clean as we talked about what we could do there.”

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Dan and his siblings attended school in the building, and its history runs deep in his family. One of his most cherished memories with his father, is hearing funny stories about his basketball days, and seeing his dad light up with joy during a walk through the building, before his passing in 2021. Dan’s father, David Lambert—a proud 1952 Buckland High School graduate—was known for his love of dancing and community gatherings.

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Former students and staff often return with stories of their time in Buckland’s school. Tours of the building spark laughter, reminiscence, and sometimes tears. Dan and Cathy treasure hearing comments like, “This was the music room. No, it was the science room,” both could be true depending on the era.

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“We could have chosen to take the Brownfield grant and tear the school down,” Cathy reflects. “But the building is too nice, with too much history and too many memories. We hear from so many people who went to school here. Preserving it for the community felt like the right choice.”

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Restoring the building has required enormous dedication—blood, sweat, tears, financial investment, and personal risk. The Lamberts are committed to offering a high-quality experience for guests and future tenants, just as they have always done in their community housing ventures. They view property ownership as a form of stewardship, caring for homes in a way that enhances overall community well being. “We love to provide updates to homes where we ourselves would like to live,” shares Cathy.

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Dan has long been invested in Buckland, starting at the Buckland Telephone Company doing service calls before retiring as office manager. He served as mayor, now sits on the village council, and together with Cathy, continues to provide upgraded, quality homes in Buckland for local individuals and families.

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“Dan loves Buckland,” Cathy says. “He’s motivated to make it a great place to live. He grew up here, he cares about our neighbors, and he cares about property values. Yes, his work provides an income and a retirement plan, but the heart of it is love for his community.”

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The first projects tackled were repairing roof leaks and draining water issues on the west side of the building. In 2023, the Auglaize County Commissioners offered a demolition grant—but the Lamberts chose instead to use it for asbestos removal.

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The gym required extensive labor. Dan logged over 70 hours sanding the floor (saving thousands of dollars by doing it himself) and invested more than 20 hours painting the ceiling black—climbing scaffolding countless times while Cathy assisted.

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“My joy in this project is seeing it used for its purpose,” Cathy shares. “When a bride celebrates her wedding here, or a great-grandmother turns 100 surrounded by family, all of this investment means everything. Otherwise, it’s just a lot of work.”

The Hidden Gem Event Center currently accommodates 200–250 guests, with expansion capacity for up to 700 once two additional bathrooms are completed in Spring 2026.

   •    Bride & Groom Suites – former locker rooms are now comfortable preparation spaces.
   •    Stage & Drapes – original red/maroon curtains still hang, preserving the building’s character.
   •    Technology & Comfort – in-house sound and speaker system, TV monitors for slideshows, plus new heating and air conditioning.
   •    Seating – wide aisles ensure easy movement—with no bad seats in the house—in 178 stadium seats acquired from the Detroit Pistons VIP section, 12 round floor tables with seating for 8, 24 rectangular tables, and around 400 additional chairs

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The next chapter is already in motion. This fall, construction begins on what will be known as the HomeRoom Apartments. Four main-floor apartments, part of a larger plan for 12 total units.

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Designs include one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with added features such as:

   •    personal storage for each unit—6’ x 12’ basement storage areas
   •    office, exercise, and gathering rooms
   •    elevator access, with plans for an additional top-floor elevator

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Buckland, just 10 minutes from Wapakoneta, offers a safe and supportive community with an adjacent park, dog park, and ample parking for both tenants and event guests.

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This project is a true collaboration. Many friends and family have lent their time and talent, from initial drawings by Larry McLean (who has since passed), to John Rausch, Lambert’s friend and architect, and countless hours of labor from Ron Frey, Dennis Baker, Gary Swaninger, Dave and Mark Steinke, Matt Quinter, Dave Adkins, Jeff Ritchie, Joyce Hutchison, and Dan’s sister, Pam Schwer. Ted, Melanie, and Myles Fullenkamp are happily contributing to marketing and promotion as well.

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After three years of securing permits, the Lamberts are thrilled to see The Hidden Gem come to life. With weddings already booked, the venue is set to host dances, concerts, fundraisers, yoga, reunions, playgroups, line dancing, and more. They also plan to offer community BINGO fundraisers for local nonprofits.

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From schoolhouse to community center, and now to a vibrant event venue and future homes, the story of this building continues—woven with history, love, and community spirit.

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The Hidden Gem Event Center: Preserving history. Celebrating community. Creating memories.