Local Historian Championing the Past by Looking Forward: Ohio Historical Society Changes Name to Ohio History Connection

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Volume 30 Issue 3 May/June 2014

THE Local Historian Championing the Past by Looking Forward: Ohio Historical Society Changes Name to Ohio History Connection

By Burt Logan, Commenting on Ohio as America, our Executive Director and CEO, 4th grade e-textbook, a teacher said “I love Ohio History Connection, Columbus the videos that pertain to Ohio. They are nearly impossible to find anywhere else. I also like the pictures of artifacts and prima- Historical organizations, much like the ry resources.” One of our site-management Roman god Janus, must look in two direc- partners wrote that if he had been told at tions: backward to record and understand the beginning of this joint partnership how the past, and forward to provide perspec- smoothly things would have gone and how tive and meaning for that which is yet to supportive the Society would be, he would occur. Remove either and the value of not have believed it – a sentiment echoed history vanishes. visiting historic sites and museums. verbally by many of his colleagues. By our very nature, we in the history As one would expect, the history lovers As we weighed public perception business are drawn like a magnet to the could not stop talking about the past. against customer satisfaction, we came past – we find it fascinating and spellbind- When the discussion shifted to the to realize that “historical” and “society” ing; it is in our DNA. But when it comes Ohio Historical Society, the comments formed a nearly impenetrable barrier in to relating the past to the present and the changed considerably. Here are a few: the minds of customers we have yet to future, our effectiveness is ultimately deter- “I think of a group of little old rich reach. If we had any hope of touching a mined by how well we relate to the public ladies in red hats, sipping tea at the country broader audience we had to give serious – not just those that we currently reach, club. That’s not for me, not a place I’d be consideration to changing our name. It but the myriads who have yet to discover welcome.” was clear this had to be a strategic business the importance and power of history. Un- “Makes me think of a couple of old decision, rather than a “history” decision. less and until the public understands that people, getting together over lunch, clip- Changing the name is not something the past has tremendous relevance today, ping articles from old newspapers. History to be done lightly – it demands thoughtful history organizations can be nothing more should be exciting and make everybody (Continued on page 3) than a one-headed Janus. want to learn about it, not put them off In early 2012 the Ohio Historical and feel unwelcome.” Society embarked on a two-year journey, “Any time there’s a society, I think WHAT’S INSIDE: reaching out to nearly 600 current and of monocles and brandy.” prospective customers to learn how we can As summed up in the report, “Partici- 2 President’s Message improve our services and programming. pants voiced these overwhelmingly nega- 3 Legislative Update We began by convening focus groups tive perceptions [of the Ohio Historical throughout the state, as well as in Central Society], even after having earlier discussed 4 Tech Tip: Facebook Insights Ohio – for a total of nine groups. All asso- their interests in history and history’s 5 Finding Volunteers ciated costs, with the exception of a small relevance and importance to life today.” honorarium given to each participant, were Ironically, these comments ran com- 6 Getting to Know County donated by a local public relations firm. In pletely counter to what many customers Histories each region of Ohio we brought together were actually experiencing. After seeing 7 Announcements two vitally important target audiences: our 2011 award-winning exhibit Contro- mothers with at least one child between the versy: Pieces You Don’t Normally See, 9 New & Renewing Members ages of 8 and 14 years, and history lovers. one visitor wrote “This exhibit was one 10 Calendar A professionally trained facilitator of the most interesting that I’ve seen here. engaged each group in a conversation I brought my 11 year old son to share this 11 News from the Regions about history. The groups of mothers with, and it has and will provide a greater 12 LHO Staff quickly pointed out their responsibility to opportunity for learning especially about help their children understand the past by the effect of intolerance and ignorance.” 1 We hope that you’re putting to use ideas you gleaned Maggie Marconi President’s and building on the connections you made at the President, Ohio Local History Alliance regional meetings this spring. Museum Administrator, Sandusky Library/ Follett House Museum Be sure to check out this issue for several im- Message: (419) 625-3834 portant upcoming deadlines. The Ohio Local History [email protected] Alliance wants to celebrate your innovative ideas! Ah, spring! Trees are budding, lawn mowers We encourage you to apply for one of our awards. are buzzing, and all around the state of Ohio, our Winners are recognized at a luncheon at our annual fellow local historians are hanging up the open signs meeting. The luncheon is always so inspiring—it’s a at their organizations and preparing for the busy great opportunity to honor dedicated local historians, summer season. Are you introducing new ideas or and to find out more about the great work going programs this spring? on all around the state. Attendees are certain to feel Our members always tell us that personal energized. Will we see you there? contact and the opportunity to network are some of We love to share your good news in The Local the most important aspects of their involvement in Historian. If there isn’t any news listed for your the Ohio Local History Alliance, and the regional region, you can change that! Please contact your meetings are rife with opportunities for just that! regional representative (they’re listed on page 2 of this issue) with your news. 2014 Board Members Ohio Local History Alliance

President Ex-Officio (Executive Secretary) Region 5 Maggie Marconi, Museum Administrator Mark Sundlov, Department Manager Kate Smith, Executive Director Sandusky Library/ Follett House Museum Local History Office, Spring Hill Historic Home, Sandusky Ohio History Connection, Columbus Massillon (419) 625-3834 (614) 297-2343 (330) 833-6749 [email protected] The Ohio Local History Alliance, [email protected] [email protected] http://www.sandusky.lib.oh.us/follett_house http://www.ohiohistory.org organized in 1960 under sponsorship of http://www.springhillhistorichome.org the Ohio History Connection, is composed 1st Vice President Region 1 Cristina Savu, Registrar of local historical societies, historic preservation Beth Weinhardt, Coordinator Gary Levitt, Director Massillon Museum, Massillon groups, history museums, archives, libraries, Anti-Saloon League Museum, Westerville Museum of Postal History, Delphos (330) 833-4061 (x112) and genealogical societies throughout the state (614) 882-7277, Ext 160 (419) 303-5482 [email protected] involved in collecting, preserving, and interpreting [email protected] [email protected] http://massillonmuseum.org http://westervillelibrary.org/local-history http://www.postalhistorymuseum.org Ohio’s history. Region 6 2nd Vice President Holly Hartlerode, Curator Leslie Blankenship, The Local Historian (ISSN 9893-3340) is published Todd McCormick, Curator/Director bimonthly by the Ohio History Connection, 800 E. Wood County Historical Center Franklinton Historical Society Logan County Historical Society Bowling Green 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497, as a Columbus Bellefontaine (419) 352-0967 benefit to Ohio Local History Alliance members. (614) 527-1957 (937) 593-7557 [email protected] [email protected] Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, OH. [email protected] http://www.woodcountyhistory.org http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Franklin- http://www.loganhistory.org ton/pages/309337 Region 2 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Secretary The Local Historian, Local History Office, Ohio Brenda Stultz, Curator Andrea Brookover, Executive Director Ruth Brindle, Curator History Connection, 800 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, Clyde Heritage League, Clyde Fairfield Heritage Association, Lancaster Quaker Heritage Center (740) 654-9923 OH 43211-2497. Editors: Amy Rohmiller, Mark (419) 547-7946 Wilmington College, Wilmington [email protected] [email protected] Sundlov, Rosa Rojas (937) 382-6661, Ext 719 http://www.clydeheritageleague.org http://www.fairfieldheritage.org [email protected] Please direct materials or phone inquiries to: http://www2.wilmington.edu/qhc Gale Martin, Executive Director Region 7 The Local Historian Marion County Historical Society, Marion Chris Burton, Executive Director Local History Office Treasurer (740) 387-4255 Armstrong Air & Space Museum Kathleen Fernandez, Executive Director Ohio History Connection [email protected] Wapakoneta North Canton Heritage Society 800 E. 17th Avenue http://www.marionhistory.com (419) 738-8811 North Canton [email protected] Columbus, OH 43211-2497 (330) 494-4791 Region 3 http://www.armstrongmuseum.org 1-800-858-6878 [email protected] Rebecca Larson-Troyer, Librarian FAX: (614) 297-2567 http://www.northcantonheritage.org Special Collections Division Kasey Eichensehr, Curator [email protected] Akron-Summit County Public Library Clark County Historical Society Trustees-At-Large Springfield Visit The Alliance online at www.ohiolha.org Akron Joy Armstrong, Executive Director (330) 643-9030 (937) 324-0657 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ohio- Sylvania Historical Village, Sylvania [email protected] [email protected] localhistoryalliance (419) 882-4865 http://sc.akronlibrary.org http://www.heritagecenter.us/ [email protected] Annual Membership Dues: http://www.cityofsylvania.com/default. Timothy Daley, Executive Director Region 8 Organizations: aspx?nspace=CityOfSylvania.Home.Discover- Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ and Sailor’ Kelsey Berger, Property & Farm Director Annual budget over $200,000: $100 ($190 for 2) Sylvania.SylvaniaHistory.HistoricalVillage Monument, Cleveland Gorman Heritage Farm Annual budget $100,000-$200,000: $75 ($140 for 2) (216) 621-3746 Cincinnati Annual budget $25,000-$100,000: $60 ($110 for 2) Jim Gibson, Executive Director [email protected] (513) 563-6663 Annual budget below $25,000: $35 ($65 for 2) Knox County Historical Society http://www.soldiersandsailors.com [email protected] Mt. Vernon http://www.gormanfarm.org Individuals: (740) 393-5247 Region 4 Affiliate: $35 ($65 for 2) [email protected] Leann Rich, Manager of Education Region 9 Individual: $50 ($90 for 2) http://www.knoxhistory.org & External Relations Margaret Parker, President Students: $20 Mahoning Valley Historical Society Meigs County Historical Society, Pomeroy Wendy Zucal, Executive Director Youngstown (740) 992-3810 Business: $100 ($190 for 2) Dennison Railroad Depot Museum (330) 743-2589 [email protected] Individual subscriptions to The Local Historian Dennison [email protected] http://meigscohistorical.org (740) 922-6776 only are available for $25 annually. http://www.mahoninghistory.org [email protected] Region 10 © 2014 Ohio History Connection http://dennisondepot.org Lae’l Hughes-Watkins, University Archivist Jim Geyer, Director for Museums KSU Department of Special Collections & Pioneer & Historical Society of Muskingum Immediate Past-President Archives, Kent County, Zanesville Christie Weininger, Executive Director (330) 672-1639 (740) 454-9500 Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center [email protected] [email protected] Fremont http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10300 http://www.muskingumhistory.org (419) 332-2081 [email protected] http://www.rbhayes.org

The Local Historian May/June, 2014 2 What’s Happening in the State Capital?

By Todd Kleismit, Director of Government Relations, Ohio History Connection, Ohio History Connection County Courthouses Symposium Columbus Tax Check-Off Courthouse enthusiasts gathering in For most of us, the tax season has thank- Columbus May 15-16 for a Symposium that fully come and gone. Through April, the highlighted the historic and economic value new Ohio History Connection tax check-off of our state’s county courthouses. A kick-off has generated just shy of $150,000 from reception featuring Supreme Court Chief There is plenty Ohioans’ state income tax contributions. Justice Maureen O’Connor was held the These “tax check-off” contributions provide evening of May 15. All-day sessions were of activity in the revenue needed for the History Fund held at the Columbus Athenaeum on May 16. grants that are now awarded at each year’s For more information, visit online at www. Statehood Day event. In 2013 a new thresh- ccao.org/ohio-courthouses-symposium. the state capi- old was put into place by the Ohio General Assembly requiring each of the state’s tax Cemetery Law Task Force check-off programs to generate at least Ohio’s patchwork of laws relating to old and/ tal this year. A $150,000 annually or be threatened with or abandoned cemeteries is currently under elimination if it falls below the threshold review by a group appointed by the governor, few highlights two consecutive years. It now appears likely Senate president and House speaker. The that enough contributions should come in Ohio Cemetery Law Task Force is expected the rest of the calendar year to exceed the to send recommendations to the governor as we head into threshold. Stay tuned. and General Assembly by September. Let me know if you’d like to know more. the summer Todd Kleismit is the Ohio History Connec- tion’s director of community and government relations. He can be reached at tkleismit@ months… ohiohistory.org.

Championing the Past by Looking Forward... (Continued from page 1) analysis and evaluation. One thing though These and other responses gave us encour- was certain – Ohioans must find our new “Preserving history, make sure agement that we were on the right track. name welcoming and enticing. We gave people know it’s important.” However, before proceeding further, we careful thought to the name that we felt compared Ohio Historical Society and best typifies our role and responsibility to “Ohio history, preserve it, the Ohio History Connection. We did Ohio. Rather than selecting several pos- and tell people about it.” additional studies at cultural attractions sible names and evaluating each of them in Central Ohio and two other areas of the against the others, we tested Ohio History state. As we interviewed these Ohioans, Connection. If it was well received, we “Talk about Ohio’s history. respondents choose adjectives that best de- would move ahead; if not, we would select Connect people who want to learn scribed each organization. The three most another name and repeat the evaluation. more about history.” popular adjectives describing the Ohio Since we were looking to reach a Historical Society were “old, private, and broader audience, we elected to talk to “Connect community with Ohio’s institutional.” The Ohio History Connec- families at a local cultural, education site. history. Develop better citizens.” tion was most frequently described as “fun, We asked families the simple question open, and fresh.” The contrast between the “What would an organization called the “Way for me to experience history public perception of “historical society” Ohio History Connection do?” In sum- of the state.” and Ohio History Connection could not mary, participants expressed that the name have been more evident. represented an organization about preserv- (Continued on page 12) ing and sharing Ohio’s past in accessible, “…All inclusive.” engaging, and thought-provoking ways: The Local Historian May/June, 2014 3 Have the Cutting Edge Online TECH TIP: through Facebook Insights

By Caitlin Zucal, Marketing Coordinator, Arkovi Social Media Archiving

One fantastic feature Facebook offers users is the Insights Dashboard, which provides Facebook page administrators with metrics around their content. Ana- lyzing Facebook Insights can give you a huge advantage, allowing you to understand trends and how your users consume your content. This can help you create relevant content for your Facebook fans via an editorial calendar. Image 1 To access your Insights, click on See Insights, which will be listed on the right side of the admin panel when viewing your Facebook page. You will then see an overview graph and have the option to see insights on Likes, Reach, Visits, Posts, and People. However, in order to begin to understand this data, note that there are two different types of Facebook Insights admins can examine: • User Insights: total page likes, new likes and unlikes, total number of fans, demographics, page views, etc. (See Image 1.) • Interactions Insights: daily reports that include post likes and com- Image 2 ments, post impressions, mentions, discussions, etc. There is a lot of data at your disposal – the key to successfully taking advantage of Facebook insights is to review the ma- terial and decide what is most meaningful to you. And, since we are all extremely busy throughout the day, why not export your data and review later? Simply click on Export Data and you can download your data into Excel. Also, you have the option of selecting a data range, which is great for reviewing if a certain promotion was successful. Perhaps you have been writing a series of blog posts on local historical events and sharing them on Facebook. Want to know what content attracted the most users to your page? Take a look at your Posts Image 3 Insights (see Image 2), which give you a who your fans are? Insights shows you the breakdown of the number of page views demographics on your Facebook fans – on specific dates, as well as what outside what cities they are from, what percentage sources drove those users to your page is male and female, as well as what age (Google, websites, etc.) Want to know groups you are attracting. (See Image 3.) (Continued from page 12) The Local Historian May/June, 2014 4 Volunteers help judge students’ projects at the state Ohio History Day competition. Volunteers can help your organization with a wide variety of projects. Photo courtesy of the Ohio History Connection. Fantastic Volunteers and Where to Find Them By Annamae Kacsandi, Lead Volunteer Coordinator, Ohio History Connection, • Curatorial/Research – organiza- the best advertisement for your site! Columbus tion or preservation of collections, library Tap into online volunteer sites such as or internet research, archival assistance Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch. [This article originally appeared in the May for programs or events org), Idealist (www.idealist.org), the Hands 2013 Historic Sites Newsletter of the Ohio On Network (www.handsonnetwork.org), History Connection. We have reprinted it Before kicking off a volunteer recruit- AARP (www.aarp.org), and UGIVE (www. with permission from the author.] ing campaign, conduct an assessment. Use ugive.org). These allow many organizations your mission statement to determine how to post volunteer openings, which can be Overwhelmed and understaffed? volunteers can impact what you do, what searched by location, topic, or time frame. Consider utilizing volunteers to assist with you offer the community, and how you do Explore local or regional organizations’ the workload and strengthen community it. If you have used volunteers in the past, online volunteer posting opportunities. involvement at your site. The benefits of what were the pros and cons? Use Facebook, Twitter, or your website volunteerism are many – for both the vol- Next, develop a comprehensive list to post volunteer opportunities and target unteer and the organization. Volunteers can of volunteer needs – what tasks can they younger audiences. provide a wide variety of tasks including: accomplish to save you time and expand Newsletters, mass mailings, or posts in your services? Create position descriptions community or church bulletins are excellent • Administrative – mailings, filing, for each task that list specifically what the ways to reach a large audience. phone calls, data entry, web development volunteer will do and your expectations. For short term projects or group and/or management, email, newsletters Find out what each area’s needs are, what volunteers, connect with leaders of local meaningful opportunities can be created, youth or faith based groups or businesses • Interpretive – presenting tours, and what kind of support you can provide with community service projects. Finally, costumed interpreters, creating or main- to volunteers. many high school and college students seek taining costumes, hands-on activities or Once this volunteer management volunteer or internship opportunities for demonstrations, greeters, guides system is in place, move to recruitment. experience and resume building. What types of volunteers will best fit your Do you have questions on volunteer Maintenance & Grounds – • needs and where can you find them? management or recruitment? Contact cleaning, lawn care People who volunteer at your site do Annamae Kacsandi, the Ohio Historical • Customer Service – admission, so for a love of history, culture, commu- Society’s lead volunteer coordinator at gift shop, call center, scheduling, reserva- nity involvement, and an appreciation of [email protected] or 614.297.2392. tions your mission. Begin recruiting within your community and spread the word to your • Events – set up, tear down, ticket regular visitors and supporters. Always have sales, day-of assistance a business card ready to distribute – you are The Local Historian May/June, 2014 5 By Laura Herron, Local His- The Ohio History Connection’s collection of county histories in its third floor research room. tory AmeriCorps Volunteer, Photo courtesy of the Ohio History Connection. Ohio History Connection, Columbus also commonly had many children whose births could be spread out over decades. If an older child died, the parents some- Getting to Know County times gave a new child the same name as one who had perished. This tendency can be confusing, especially without the ben- History Books efit of additional identifying information. Other problems are the products of The county history books of Ohio Many of these books were divided into the authors’ prejudice. Early volumes were are familiar resources for experienced sections by township and then subdivided often sold by subscription and contained local historians and genealogists. These into specific towns, making them easy to large biographical sections dedicated to encyclopedic books were published navigate. Keep in mind that there were noteworthy citizens. Often, these same primarily around the nation’s centen- only nine counties in Ohio at the time of citizens were among those financing nial in1876, although many have been the Constitutional Convention of 1802. the printing of the book and submitted created since then. While they can prove Many of the current eighty-eight counties, their own biographies. While this does to be useful resources for researching the like Fulton, Mahoning, and Ashland, were not mean that their accounts were not people, places, and institutions of Ohio’s not created until the mid-1800s. If you accurate, you should be wary of taking past, they should be consulted with cau- are researching a county that was created them at face value. Also, when narrating tion. It is easy to be misled by the age of later, it is important to check the histo- encounters between settlers and Native these books, which are commonly 100 ries of surrounding counties if you are Americans, early county histories almost to 150 years old. Their age may seem to researching Ohio’s early history. This may always presented them solely from the give them authority. Yet, many of their yield additional information about early perspective of the settlers. It is a good authors were writing about events that settlers and their communities. idea, particularly before reproducing the had already occurred many years in There are a few potential snares that terminology used in these accounts, to the past, such as the War of 1812. Like you will want to consider when using evaluate them for fairness and objectivity. pre-internet versions of Wikipedia, they county histories. Some involve the identi- If your collections do not have any of can contain great overviews and nuggets fication of specific people. These volumes these county history books, you can check of information. However, they may also often contain indexes. However, not every with other local libraries, genealogy so- contain errors in dates and other details. person in the book will necessarily be cieties, and historical societies. The Ohio Occasionally they mislead the reader by listed in the index. Women are more likely History Center also has a large collection presenting local legends as objective facts. than men to be identified in the book’s available in its third-floor research room. County histories can be great guidebooks text but not in the index. Even in the text, In addition, a growing number of books in steering researchers toward primary sometimes women are identified only as are becoming available online. For more source materials like deeds, wills, and vital “Mrs.” before their surnames. It is best information on finding and using county records; however, they should not not to assume that such a limited descrip- histories, the subscription site Accessible be taken as the definitive truth. tion refers to a particular person without Archives has a free guide available online County histories are an easy place supporting evidence. Before the twentieth at http://www.accessible-archives.com/ to start a research project, whether it con- century, people frequently died young and collections/american-county-histories/a- cerns an ancestor, a local business, or an it was not unusual for a man or woman to white-paper-american-county-histories/ important event that happened long ago. have several successive spouses. Families The Local Historian May/June, 2014 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Awards Awards Coming Soon!

AASLH Small Museums 2014 Alliance Outstanding Archives Month 2014: Scholarship Available Achievement Awards Ohio in the Depression

The American Association of State Nominate the fantastic local history For Archives Month in Ohio this and Local History (AASLH)’s annual work being done in your community for coming October, the Society of Ohio Ar- meeting will be held September 17-20 a 2014 Ohio Local History Alliance chivists (SOA) has set the theme of “Ohio in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year’s theme Outstanding Achievement Award! The in the Depression.” SOA hopes you and is Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts. It Alliance presents awards in two categories your local historical society will partici- is the perfect opportunity to learn from – Individual Achievement and History pate this year. Here are some ways you other museums, forge new relationships, Outreach. can join in: and explore new partnerships. Learn how Individual Achievement Awards rec- First, plan to put up this year’s poster. institutions have capitalized on a success- ognize those who have made outstanding It will pay tribute to the New Deal-era ful collaboration or learned from disap- contributions to Ohio’s historical societies, Farm Security Administration’s photo- pointing partnerships. How have you built history museums, or the understanding documentation project, which was in strategic networks among peers and with and appreciation of state and local history. operation 75 years ago. The poster will others in your communities to achieve Nominees must have been involved in a include selected photographs taken in more than what would have been possible local history organization for at least five Ohio, and SOA can get a poster to you. individually? years and have demonstrated excellence in Beyond this, why not have a pro- The Small Museums Committee of more than one area of that organization’s gram? See if you have older members who AASLH is offering scholarships for an operations. If the nominee is a teacher, can talk about what it was like growing up individual to attend the 2014 AASLH An- he or she must demonstrate creativity in amidst the economic difficulties of that nual meeting. This scholarship is available teaching methods and expertise in local time. Or, show a movie from the era. For to a full or part-time paid or volunteer and state history. example, The River, by director Pare Lo- employee of a small museum (annual History Outreach Awards recognize rentz, was a government-commissioned budget of up to $250,000). The $500 outstanding local history projects. These movie looking at the problems of flooding scholarship will cover the cost of the con- projects must have educational content, and erosion in the Ohio and Mississippi ference registration and the Small Muse- contributed to the promotion and un- river systems. If you live in a city that ums Luncheon with any remaining funds derstanding of local or state history, and passed ordinances to deal with Depres- to offset travel and/or lodging expenses. impacted the local community. Nomina- sion-induced problems faced locally, The scholarship is open to AASLH indi- tions will be accepted in the following feature information on some of these vidual members or people working for categories: public programming, media in your newsletter. institutional members and is a benefit of and publications, and exhibits/displays. For more information, visit the SOA membership. Find more information and Nominations must be post-marked website, www.ohioarchivists.org, and start the application at http://about.aaslh.org/ by August 1, 2014. Watch your mail for working now on your Archives Month annual-meeting-scholarships/. a nomination form, or contact the Lo- activities! cal History Office at 1.800.858.6878 or 614.297.2340. You can also email localhis- [email protected]. Good luck!

The Local Historian May/June, 2014 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations! Grant

Ohio Archives Grant Program Recipients

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board is pleased to announce the recipients of the year’s Ohio Archives Grant Program (SNAP Re-grant Work Group) awards. The Ohio Archives Grants are funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an arm of the National Archives and Records Ad- ministration (NARA) through their State and National Archival Partnership (SNAP) Grants program. The funded projects include organizing and preserving historical records and cataloging and digitizing records for improved access. This year’s recipients are (those marked with an * are Representatives of Dayton History receive their “big check” at the 2014 Statehood Day. Dayton History attended Alliance members): a History Fund Help webinar and is a member of the Ohio Local History Alliance. Photo courtesy of the Ohio History Connection. • *Alliance Historical Society, Alliance Historical Records Preservation History Fund Grant Application Available in June; and Cataloging Project - $1,769 • *Canal Fulton Public Library, History Fund Help Webinars in June, July, August Preservation of Canal Fulton and Local History Photographs - $800 Grant writers, get ready. The 2015 His- The History Fund supports a variety • Clinton County Records and tory Fund grant application will be available of history projects, 20 in the program’s first Archives, Indexing and Rehousing of by June 15, 2014. The deadline for appli- two years. For a list of grant recipients and Probate Records - $1,500 cations is September 3, 2014. The online projects, visit the History Fund’s website. • Hardin County Genealogical Society, application will be available at the History The Fund is limited only by an applicant’s Digitization and Storage of Anna Lee May- Fund’s website: www.ohiohistory.org/histo- imagination and adherence to the History horn Collection - $640 ryfund. Fund’s Guidelines. To assist History Fund applicants, the Grant recipients will be announced *Historic New Richmond, Preserva- • Local History Office has scheduled History on March 4, 2015 at the annual history tion and Cataloging of Historic New Rich- Fund Help webinars on June 25, July 16, advocacy event, Statehood Day. Between mond’s Archive - $798 and August 6 from 10:00-11:30am. Led by the application deadline of September 3, • *Ohio Genealogical Society, Digitiza- History Fund manager Andy Verhoff, the 2014 and February, 2015 the History Fund tion of the “Ohio Story” Script: Bringing Old first hour will be a detailed review of the will be in contact regarding the status of Radio Back to Life - $2,000 application. The last half hour is devoted to applications. • Otterbein University, Reclaiming the your questions. The webinars are free, but Projects will commence according to Presidential Papers, Part I: Walter G. Clip- registration is required at www.ohiohistory. the schedule developed in each recipient’s pinger Papers Preservation and Indexing org/register. Registration opens June 2. application, but no sooner than May 1, Project (1909-1939) - $1,960 Although attending a webinar is not man- 2015. For more about the History Fund, • Rocky River Public Library, Rocky datory and it does not guarantee a grant, go to www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund River Public Library & Cowan Pottery it may give you a “leg up.” Last summer, or contact the Local History Office at Museum Records Database Project - $870 five eventual grant recipients attended 1.800.858.6878, localhistory@ohiohistory. • *Summit County Historical Society, the webinars. org, or [email protected]. Captain Simon Perkins, Jr. Quartermaster Good luck! Papers Preservation and Digitization Project - $1,600 • *Warren County Historical Society, Historical Records Preservation and Digitization Project - $1,042

The Local Historian May/June, 2014 8 MEMBERSHIP List as of April 15, 2014

Welcome New Members Canal Fulton Public Library, Canal Fulton Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Central Insurance Fire Museum, Society, Pickerington Individuals Van Wert Portage Lakes Historical Society, Akron Kara K. Prem, Columbus Cleveland Grays Armory Museum, Reading Historical Society, Reading Kyle Yoho, Woodsfield Cleveland Richland County Museum Association, Clinton County History Center, Lexington Organizations Wilmington Robbins Hunter Museum/Avery Downer Central Ohio Model Railroad Club, Inc., Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ & Sailors’ House, Granville Worthington Monument, Cleveland Sandusky Library Follett House Cleveland Masonic Library & Museum, Franklin Area Historical Society, Franklin Museum, Sandusky Cleveland Friends of Kennedy Stone House, Southwest Franklin County Historical Blue Rock Society, Grove City Thank you Guernsey County Historical Society, Springboro Area Historical Society, Cambridge Springboro Renewing Members Henry County Historical Society, Stryker Area Heritage Council, Stryker Individuals Napoleon Swiss Community Historical Society, Timothy Daley, Cleveland Highland County Historical Society, Bluffton David H. Mangold, Randolph Hillsboro Tiffin Historic Trust Inc., Republic Margaret A. Parker, Pomeroy Huron Historical Society, Huron The Castle, Marietta Elmer C. Schulz, Stow John Paulding Historical Society Inc., The John P. Parker Historical Society, Paulding Ripley Organizations Kidron Community Historical Society, Tuscarawas County Historical Society, 103rd OVI Memorial Foundation, Kidron New Philadelphia Sheffield Lake Lousiville-Nimishillen Historical Society, Underground Railroad Museum, Akron Summit County Public Library Louisville Flushing Special Collections Division, Akron Magnolia Area Historical Society, Upper Arlington Historical Society, Alliance Historical Society, Alliance Magnolia Columbus Alpine Hills Historical Museum, Mayfield Township Historical Society, Van Wert County Historical Society, Sugarcreek Mayfield Village Van Wert Anti-Saloon League Museum, Meigs County Pioneer & Historical Vermilion Area Archival Society, Inc., Westerville Society, Pomeroy Vermilion Austintown Historical Society, Morgan Township Historical Society, Vermilion News Print Shop Museum, Austintown Shandron Vermilion Baltic-Area Historical Society, Baltic National Cambridge Collectors, Walhonding Valley Historical Society, Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Cambridge Warsaw Foundation, Inc., Tiffin North Baltimore Area Historical Society, Whitehall Historical Society, Whitehall Bedford Historical Society, Bedford North Baltimore Western Reserve Historical Society, Brewster-Sugarcreek Township Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Cleveland Historical Society, Brewster Inc., Findlay Butler County Historical Society, Peninsula Library, Peninsula Hamilton Perry History Club, Inc., Massillon

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Holly Smith is the new events coordinator at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Historic Schoenbrunn Village, and the Ulrichsville Clay Museum. She also serves as the on-site manager of Schoenbrunn Village. Smith graduated with a history degree from Kent State University.

The Local Historian May/June, 2014 9 Join the Ohio Local CALENDAR 2014 On History Alliance... the Web ...or connect a sister organization June 1 to the Alliance and ask its leaders Nomination Deadline, Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards. For more to join in one of the following information, see www.ohiohistory.org/ categories: ohiohistoric-preservation-office/ohio-historic-preservation-office-awards. Digital Public Organizational Member June 13 Application Deadline, AASLH Small Get six issues of The Local Historian, Museums Scholarship. For more infor- Library save when you register for our mation, see page 7. Alliance regional and statewide local June 15 of America history meetings, receive periodic email History Fund grant application updates, and save on Ohio Historical available. For more information, Society services for organization, in- see page 8. http://dp.la/ cluding speakers and customized train- June 25, July 16, August 6 ing workshops. Best of all, when you History Fund Help webinars. For more The Digital Public Library join the Alliance as an Organizational information, see page 8. Member, your membership benefits August 1 of America is an all-digi- all of your organization’s staff and Nomination Deadline, Ohio Local History Alliance Outstanding Achieve- tal library that lets users members—they will all qualify for discounts on registration for ment Awards. For more information, see page 7. access millions of items the Alliance’s regional and statewide meetings and when buying Alliance September 17-20 from the collections of publications. AASLH Annual Meeting. For more information, see page 7. museums, archives, and Operating budget: Over $200,000 a year: Calendar items are chosen on the basis libraries from across $100 ($190 for 2) of available space and applicability to the largest number of our readers, who $100,000-$200,000 a year: the United States. These are mainly volunteer and professional $75 ($140 for 2) leaders of local historical societies, include photographs, $25,000-$100,000 a year: history museums, archives, libraries, prints, three-dimensional $60 ($110 for 2) historic preservation groups, and genealogical societies in Ohio. We cannot Under $25,000 a year: objects, books and jour- include events mainly of local interest; $35 ($65 for 2) for these we suggest local newspa- nals. Users can explore pers, broadcast media, Ohio Magazine, Individual Member 1-800-BUCKEYE, and, if arts related, by time period or loca- www.ArtsinOhio.com. Get six issues of The Local Historian, tion of objects, as well save when you register for our Alliance regional and statewide local history as traditional searching. meetings, receive periodic email updates. Affiliate: $35 a year ($65 for 2) Individual: $50 a year ($90 for 2) Student: $20 a year

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Join at http://www.ohiohistorystore. com/Ohio-LHA-formerly-OAHSM- C120.aspx

The Local Historian May/June, 2014 10 marks. The race covers two miles and takes The Dawes Arboretum has redesigned its News from about 90 minutes. Races are open to players History Center as an exhibit space that is of all ages and abilities. The only requirement free and open to the public through October. the Regions is that at least one player per team has a smart Four displays showcase historic photographs, phone to send and receive texts and photos. artifacts, and documents related to the his- In 100 words or less, do you have outstanding For more information, go to www.oberlinher- tory of the Arboretum, founders Beman and news to share about your organization? Please itagecenter.org. Bertie Dawes, The Pure Oil Company, and the email it to your regional representative for Arboretum’s tree dedications. The exhibits will the next issue of The Local Historian. Contact change yearly to educate the public about this information for the representatives in your Region 4 organization’s history. For more information, region is on page 2 of this issue. Of course, Ashtabula, Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, visit www.dawesarb.org. you are welcome to forward your news directly and Trumbull Counties to the editor of The Local Historian at arohm- The Salem Historical Society has a brand new [email protected]. Rather than serving as Region 7 website. The new site includes many new fea- a calendar of events, items for News from the tures, including items sold in the gift shop and Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Regions are chosen to inspire, connect, and a list of links to other sites pertaining to Salem. Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, educate the Alliance’s members all over Ohio Best of all, the new website is also mobile Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties and celebrate notable and imitation-worthy friendly and able to be viewed on smartphones The Bradford, Ohio Railroad Museum is accomplishments of Alliance members. and tablets. To check out the new site, go to working with Exhibit Concepts Inc. of Dayton www.salemhistoricalsociety.org. on the interpretive and design phases of new Region 1 permanent exhibits. The museum will receive The Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s an appropriation from the 2015 state budget Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Arms Family Museum reopened to the public to support the development and installation Henry, Lucas, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, April 4th after a three month closure due to of the exhibits, which will focus on important and Wood Counties a broken water pipe. Preservationist Sara B. points in Bradford’s history and its role in Chase spent three days in the museum’s din- railroad history. The exhibits will be designed Region 2 ing room analyzing paint, plaster, and other with a focus on meeting the Ohio K-12 wall and ceiling treatments and will detail the academic standards for social studies, science, Ashland, Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, processes necessary to replicate the historic and math. To learn more, visit www.bradfor- Morrow, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, finishes that were damaged. Work on the din- drrmuseum.org. Seneca, and Wyandot Counties ing room will be ongoing for several months. The Marion County Historical Society For more information, visit www.mahoning- Region 8 has hosted 30 students from The Ohio State history.org. Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, University’s Marion campus as the students Hamilton, Highland, and Warren Counties learned about the history of technology. The Region 5 students, who included a number of engineer- ing and other technical majors, were enrolled Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Holmes, Region 9 in second-year writing classes at OSU-M. Jefferson, Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, They toured the museum and viewed other Counties Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Scioto, objects from the society’s collections and Perry Township (in Massillon), named after and Vinton Counties archives that dealt with past attitudes towards Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry from the and experiences with science, technology, and War of 1812, is celebrating its bicentennial this industry. Following their museum experience, year. The Perry Township Bicentennial Com- Region 10 the students interviewed science, industry, and mittee is eager to host community, social, and Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Monroe, technology workers and retirees from Marion historical events to highlight important events Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and area businesses about their working lives. To that have happened in the township. Events Washington Counties find more information about the Memories such as cemetery tours, socials, concerts, A new permanent exhibit at the Pioneer & Project visit http://osumarion.osu.edu/memo- Farm Day, and others will take place through- Historical Society of Muskingum County’s ries and www.marionhistory.com. out the year. For more information, visit Stone Academy honors the legacy of the 1913 www.perrytwp.com. flood. In 2013, the society partnered with the Region 3 Muskingum County Library, the Muskingum Region 6 Watershed Conservancy District, the WHIZ Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Media Group, and local historians to pres- Summit Counties Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, ent a series of programs for the community The Bedford Historical Society has received Licking, Madison, Perry, Pickaway, and commemorating the 100th anniversary of a grant for $100,000 from the State Capital Union Counties the flood. WHIZ produced and aired a series Appropriations Bill. The grant will aid in the The Mount Vernon Chapter #159 of Questers of vignettes about the flood and made them necessary restoration and renovation of the has chosen the Knox County Historical available to the community on DVDs. The society’s 1892 historic church building, which Society’s Dan Emmett House as a preserva- proceeds of these sales funded the exhibit. is listed on the National Register of Historic tion and restoration project. With the support For more information, go to www.musking- Places. For more information, visit of a grant from the Ariel Foundation, the umhistory.org. www.bedfordohiohistory.org. kitchen ceiling has been repaired, the covering on all the stairs and the front and back bed- The Oberlin Heritage Center is introducing rooms has been removed, and cracks in the a smartphone race this spring. Teams of two to walls have been repaired. To learn more, four people begin at the Heritage Center and go to www.knoxhistory.org. are texted clues to fourteen Oberlin land- The Local Historian May/June, 2014 11 Championing the Past by Looking Forward... TECH TIP:

(Continued from page 3) The technology revolution of the last After nearly two years of evaluation 20 years has changed how we connect (Continued from page 4) and analysis, we felt a high degree of con- with organizations and one another. At its These metrics are especially useful fidence in the Ohio History Connection essence this change is positioning the orga- for targeted marketing campaigns, such name. Each successive round of public nization for the future. The Ohio History as promoting a special event. For ex- testing had yielded consistent data that Connection name emphasizes what we are ample, say you decide to promote an reinforced earlier findings. about, Ohio History, and our critical role upcoming Civil War Round Table pro- As epic as a name change is, we were of helping Ohioans connect to the state’s gram on Facebook. In preparation for the encouraged that we were not blazing an story. event, you have been posting articles on entirely new trail. In 1954 our name was the Civil War, details about the event, etc. shortened from “The Ohio State Archaeo- Facebook Insights can give you the scoop logical and Historical Society,” as we had on what parts of Ohio are most interested been known since our founding in 1885, in that specific topic, as well as what age to “Ohio Historical Society.” More recently, groups Civil War 150 events attract. This the Colorado Historical Society became can be your secret weapon for future mar- “History Colorado” and the Society for the keting campaigns, knowing what history Preservation of New England Antiquities topics certain age groups and Ohio loca- became “Historic New England.” In both tions find relevant. Now you will know cases the name change was in response to who to target message to in the future, feedback similar to that which we heard leading to higher event attendance rates. in Ohio. These are just a few of the many On December 19, 2013 the Board benefits Insights can offer organizations of Trustees voted to begin doing business taking advantage of Facebook pages. With as (d/b/a) “Ohio History Connection.” We over 800 million users, Facebook is one believe that the word “connection,” above of the most popular websites in the world. all others, communicates our service in Therefore, it is critical that history organi- the simplest way possible: assisting people zations not only take advantage of social with accessing, preserving, and sharing media, but use resources like Facebook Ohio’s past. Our legal name will remain Insights to their advantage. If you moni- the Ohio Historical Society; our public tor and download insights regularly, you face and our brand will be the Ohio will have a cutting edge when it comes to History Connection. your marketing and social media strate- gies. With a free resource like this at your fingertips, why not give it a try and see where it leads you!

Need to Contact Us? We at the Local History Office love hearing from you. Local History Office Staff

Mark Sundlov Andy Verhoff Amy Rohmiller Tameka Burke Department Manager History Fund Grant Manager Program Coordinator Administrative Assistant, [email protected] and Ohio Historical Marker Local History, AmeriCorps, Outreach Division (614) 297-2343 Coordinator CW150 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (614) 297-2340 (614) 297-2341 (614) 297-2609 (800) 858-6878

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The Local Historian May/June, 2014 12