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