Queen City Heritage CHS Today The Cincinnati Historical Society turned 163 years old in 1994. Until 1990, CHS collected historical materials, maintained an exceptional regional research library and dreamed of adding a museum component like its counterparts in other cities. That dream came true four years ago when the museum opened at Museum Center at Union Terminal; and since, has presented 34 exhibits and welcomed nearly a million visitors. In essence, CHS turned from a very private institution, into a very public institution that continues to change and evolve. The dream of becoming a museum was not without cost. Since moving into Union Terminal with The Museum of Natural History and Museum Center Foundation, CHS, as well as CMNH and MCF, have all incurred substantial financial losses. To afford opportunities for improved financial perfor- mance, in November, the three organizations announced plans to merge into a single, non-profit corporation called The Cincinnati Museum Center for Natural and Cultural History and Science. The new entity will oversee all the current activities and programs of the two museums and the Foundation, including cultural and natural history exhibits, collections, the Historical Society Library, the 1788 Club and Hopewell Council, the Omnimax Theater, the Edge of Appalachia Preserve and the Union Terminal facility. In its 163 years, the Society has changed its name, moved locations, added a museum and will now merge with two other organizations. However, one thing has not changed — the mission of the organization. This mission is being ful- filled more completely today than ever in our history. Whatever change awaits the Society in the future, its mission will remain constant. On the next several pages, in this the final Annual Report for The Cincinnati Historical Society, you will hear the voices of those individuals who have been a significant part of the Society's past, and those who will lead the organization into the 21st century. Winter 1994 1994 Annual Report Constitution, 1985. The Cincinnati Historical Society The purpose of The Cincinnati Historical Society is to collect and preserve historical materials and to disseminate historical information pertaining to Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio, and the region surrounding and affect- ing them; and to institute and encourage historical inquiry into said area. Expanded Mission, 1990. The Cincinnati Historical Society In a world that has grown increasingly complex and impersonal, peo- ple long for connections with their roots, their community, their home. As the repository for our municipal memories, The Cincinnati Historical Society allows us to make those connections and to provide the interpretive framework whereby residents nnd visitelTmayjDetter understand the past and its implications for the present. Mission, November, 1994. The Cincinnati Museum Center for Natural and Cultural History and Science (i) collecting, preserving, exhibiting, disseminating, instituting and ^encouraging inquiry, into, historical materials and information pertaining to Cincinnati and Hamilton County/ Ohio, and the region surrounding and affecting them; and in connection therewith, operating a research library and cultural histo- ry museum; ; ; ;ing education, research and collections to advance both the understanding of global change (past, present and future) and the understanding of the process of science used to comprehend global change,- and, in connection . tji^rewith, operating a natural history museum, planetarium, and the Edge of Appalachia Preserve,- and (iii) soliciting grants and donations to fund the foregoing activities and programs. A copy of the "Act to Incorporate" the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio-1831; from the CHS Archives. Queen City Heritage As all who have followed the develop- tion strategies and policies; and a clearer identity in ment of the Museum Center project are aware, since the community. moving the operation to Union Terminal in 1990, Combining our resources enables us to The Cincinnati Historical Society has incurred sub- pursue more opportunities and become a leader in stantial losses. Similarly, our partners in the build- the museum/education arena. This new organiza- ing, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum 1 • • • , • • ?/:: :: ••••:•••, '/•.,,; , •••;:. , ; <, .: Center Foundation, have experienced losses and all Omnimax Theater while it positions the entire three have eroded their endowments. Absent struc- Museum Center complex to face the increased com- tural changes, losses were expected to continue into petition and economic challenges of the future. the future, thereby threatening the long-term sur- On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we vival of each institution. thank you, our loyal members, for your continued To insure that our mission is carried out interest and support which has enriched our commu- into the 2.1st century and beyond, we, the Board, nity and helped to create a lasting legacy to the peo- chose to merge the three entities of Museum Center ple of Cincinnati. Be assured that we remain com- into one organization. mitted to the mission and important traditions that The new organization provides a better, have been carried on by the Historical Society for more solid framework, enabling our mission to be 163 years. And expect the new Museum Center to preserved in the future. Merging CHS, CMNH and continue to preserve the very best of the past while it M.CF into one entity will also afford opportunities for forges ahead to create an exciting complex designed improved, financial performance that have been for tomorrow — more fun, more interactive and unavailable to the organizations as independent more enriching than ever. entities. Such improvements will include a single board of trustees; a full-time chief executive officer; Robert W. Olson, 1994 President, elimination of duplicate functions; coordinated mar- CHS Board of Trustees keting, development, ticket-pricing and space alloca- Jllill Current and past leaders of President), John Weld Peck The Cincinnati Historical (1988 -1992 President), Society's Board of Trustees: Robert Lindner Jr. (1994 (left to right) Robert Olson Chairman). (1994 President), John Diehl (1974 - 1988 President), Ted Emmerich (1992 - 1994 Winter 1994 1994 Annual Report CHS Library — Entering the Information Super Highway Walk into the CHS Library and you may not realize you have access to one of the most signifi- cant regional historical collections in the country. Founded in 1831 as the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, the Society has been collecting and preserving materials related to the greater Cincinnati area, the state of Ohio and the his- Awareness of the library's collections tory of the Northwest Territory ever since. and services has increased dramatically over the years Collections include films and tapes, business records, — welcoming 4,000 users in 1994 alone. The Library photographs, maps, architectural drawings, as well as services are used for a variety of interests: books, manuscripts and periodicals. • Junior and high schools stu- dents prepare their entries for the CHS History Day competition (students use of the library collections quadru- pled to over 760 in 1994) • An autobiographical writing class from NKU utilizes the library's collections for a special project, • A historic preservation class from UC visits to use the published histories of communities and plat maps from the 1860s to 1950s, • Media professionals search for information pertaining to a variety of news stories, • Professors use the Reading Room to prepare for classes, Focusing on the distinct history and cul- • Graduate students in history tural heritage of the Cincinnati area, the CHS Library work on advance degrees, collections reflect the diverse interests of the city and • Genealogists from across the its people. From documents that help trace genealo- country stop in to locate family information, gy, photographs of people and places from the city's past and records from businesses and organizations • CHS staff uses the library that have contributed to building the Queen City — resources to answer reference questions, and to pro- the CHS Library is the largest repository for this vide research and photographs for exhibits and topics region's history and serves as a great resource to for outreach programs. museum staff as they plan for exhibits. The CHS Library Reading This map of Mt. Auburn Room in 1935, at the shows detail of the city's University of Cincinnati. early development and is one of the more than 2,500 maps in the library's collections. IO Queen City Heritage Automation As we move toward the 21st century, we I became acquainted with the are faced with exciting challenges and changing tech- Women's Association of The Cincinnati nology. Steps have been made to computerize the Historical Society (WACHS) in 1971. A gala library — to take information currently in our card celebrating the rededication of the Tyler Davidson Fountain was planned by the ladies and held in our home,"Oakwood." It was a great success for the association and for the Society. The WACHS began meeting in 1965 - holding teas for new members and host- int the Society's monthly lectures on historical topics. Funds were raised through the sale of note cards, tiles, cocktail napkins and playing cards printed with historical motifs. Having no retail outlet at that time, these items were sold mainly to friends. The ladies volunteered in the CHS Library as receptionists, helped with mail- ings and processed library material. The ladies also organized, in coop- eration with the volunteer staff, the first catalog and enter this into computers, and to make knowledge of the collections available to people in their homes, schools and offices. The staff automa- tion committee developed a strategy for 1994-95, Heritage Gift Shop and worked tirelessly to help including goals and a budget for a three-year project. pass the Bond Issue enabling the library to Applications for automation funds have been submit- move to a much needed larger pace, as well as ted to local foundations and individuals. the opening of the CHS Museum.