Starr Lites
Newsletter of the Lorain County Historical Society
February 2019
teapots
Reserve Your Spot for the 20th Anniversary
Valentine Tea
In just about a week, you can put on your fanciest attire and relive the grandeur of past teatimes at The Hickories at the Lorain County Historical Society's 20th Anniversary Valentine Tea! The Saturday seatings are sold out, but some tickets remain for Sunday, February 10 at 12:30 and 3:30 PM. Join us at The Hickories, 509 Washington Avenue in Elyria. Tickets are $25 per person for LCHS members and $28 per person for non-members. Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org for more information.
RJ Robinson
New Events this Month at the History Center
Lorain County Historical Society has two programs on the calendar this February in honor of Black History Month. These programs are free for LCHS members and $5 each for non-members. Registration is not required. Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org for more information.

R.J. Robinson: A Wellington Treasure Hidden in Plain View
February 13, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

R.J. Robinson (1818 - 1890) was a barber, restaurateur, and Baptist minister. He was also a free man of color, born in an era of slavery. In the fall of 1860, Robinson left the pre-Civil War turmoil of Alton, Illinois and moved to Wellington, in Lorain County. Robinson and his family found a generous welcome in the abolitionist village and were prominent members of the Wellington business community for decades. While living in Wellington, he continued his life-long pursuit of racial equality through itinerant preaching and chairing national African American organizations. Robinson is perhaps the reason that Frederick Douglass gave a speech in Wellington in 1868. Come to the History Center to learn about Robinson and his life in Lorain County through a presentation by researcher and genealogist Marilyn Wainio.
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Honoring Baseball's Groundbreaking
Moses Fleetwood Walker
February 26, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Jackie Robinson became one of baseball’s most famous players for supposedly breaking the color barrier of Major League Baseball on April 15, 1947. However, as groundbreaking as his actions were, Robinson was not the first black man to play Major League Baseball. That honor goes to Moses Fleetwood “Fleet” Walker, an Ohio native and Oberlin College student who broke that record in 1884, 63 years before Robinson. The second man? Fleetwood's brother, Weldy Wilberforce Walker. Join us on February 26 at the Lorain County History Center to hear Kelly Boyer Sagert, author of Hidden History of Lorain County, share insights into the life of this fascinating man.
at the keyboard
History Writing Workshop Series Update
The January session of our History Writing Workshop Series with local author Kelly Boyer Sagert was postponed. The first session will now be held on Monday, February 25. The second session will be March 25 and the third session will be in April. All workshops will take place from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at Roxy's Emporium , 604 Middle Ave, Elyria. The workshops are free and you can sign up for one, two, or all three. Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org for more information or to sign up.
snowy tree
Winter Weather Closing
The Lorain County Historical Society follows the Elyria City School District in closing our facilities in times of inclement weather. So if the Elyria City School District is closed, the Lorain County History Center and The Hickories Museum will be closed also. When planning a visit to the Lorain County History Center or the Hickories Museum, you can always call ahead at 440-322-3341 or send an email to lchs@lchs.org.
New Exhibit Coming Soon – But We Need Your Help!
The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, was passed in 1920. The Lorain County Historical Society will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment with an exhibit that will run from March 2019 through the end of 2020 at the Lorain County History Center. The exhibit will examine the history of, debates about, passage of, and effect of this landmark legislation. Do you have, or do you know of anyone who has, memorabilia related to the three quarters of a century campaign to give women the right to vote? LCHS is particularly interested in original posters, postcards, pins, or banners that could be donated or loaned for use in the exhibit. Memorabilia associated with the effort to obtain voting rights for women at the national U.S. level, and more locally at the Ohio and Lorain County levels, would be appreciated. Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or lchs@lchs.org if you have an item that may be appropriate.
Annie Oakley History Fund
Consider Supporting the Ohio History Fund
The Ohio History Connection’s History Fund grant program is one of the few grant program in the state just for history, pre-history, and historic preservation projects – and it needs your help to grow. If you receive a refund on your Ohio income taxes, consider donating a portion of it to the “Ohio History Fund” tax “check-off,” line 26c on your state tax return. Your donations make possible grants for local history projects in places big and small throughout Ohio. Since the Ohio History Fund started in 2012, the program has made 47 grants in 32 counties for a total of $448,000. Proving that there is a great need for the History Fund, the program has received 224 grant applications from 52 counties, totaling $2.7 million in requests! Your tax-deductible donation in any form will strengthen local history throughout Ohio! Click here to learn more.
2019 Statehood Day logo
Register Now for Statehood Day
Join fellow history lovers at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, February 27 to commemorate Ohio's birthday and to advocate for Ohio History. The state’s birthday serves as an appropriate time each year for history advocates to come together to help showcase the importance of Ohio’s history and how history, historic preservation and the organizations that help provide access to Ohio’s rich history benefit the Buckeye State. Chief Glenna Wallace of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma will be the featured speaker at lunchtime. See Ohio elected official(s) be recognized with the Ohio History Leadership Award and celebrate the 2019 Ohio History Fund grant recipients. Also very important is the chance to schedule a meeting with your state senator or state representative between 10:00 AM and noon. Click here for more information.
Program on "The Marion 9" on February 2
The Oberlin African American Genealogy and History Group is hosting an event for Black History Month on Saturday, February 2. Come to the Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main Street in Oberlin, at 11:00 AM to hear Gary Franklin speak about "The Marion 9" - the history of the founders of Alabama State University. Refreshments will be served.
Wellington Genealogy Group Meeting
The next meeting of the Wellington Genealogy Group will take place on Wednesday, February 6 at 1:00 PM. The Group meets at the LCCC Wellington Center, 151 Commerce Drive in Wellington. The program for the meeting will be “Genealogy Show and Tell”. Members are invited to share their family stories, mementos, research information, and genealogy websites and tips. Member Ray Mann will start the program by sharing his research on Mathew Gillett, the oldest Oberlin-Wellington Slave Rescuer. Meetings are free and open to the public. All are welcome!
Brownhelm Historical Association Meeting
All are welcome to join the Brownhelm Historical Association for the group's first meeting of 2019 on February 6. The organization will be discussing its plans for the year, the challenges it faces, and how its members and volunteers can help! The meeting will be held at historic Brownhelm School, 1940 North Ridge Rd, Vermilion. The doors open at 6:00 PM, with the business meeting beginning at 6:30. A social time with refreshments will follow at 7:00. Beginning at 7:30, author Kelly Boyer Sagert will give a program, focusing on the cemeteries featured in her latest book, Hidden History of Lorain County.
Five for Freedom
"Five for Freedom" Program in Oberlin
On Tuesday, February 12, award-winning journalist, author and historian Eugene L. Meyer will present a free community program about the five African American men who joined John Brown on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. The men hoped that their venture would jump start a grassroots revolt and sweep across the country to end slavery. Two of those men, John Copeland and Lewis Leary, were from Oberlin and paid the ultimate price for their participation. Meyer’s book, Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown’s Army , was published in 2018 and conveys how the men came to join Brown, the events and aftermath of that fateful day, and how the African American participants were treated differently both at the time and by historians. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage the author in a Q&A session following the program. Copies of his book will be available for purchase. This event will take place at the Meeting House of The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ, 106 North Main Street, Oberlin, beginning at 7:00 PM. It is free and open to the public.
Columbia Historical Society Meeting
The Columbia Historical Society will hold its first meeting of 2019 on Tuesday, February 12. The meeting takes place at Columbia Town Hall, 25496 Royalton Road, Columbia Station. A social hour begins at 7:00 PM with the meeting to follow at 7:30. The program will feature valentines of the past – bring yours to share! The Society’s business meeting will welcome new officers: President Dennis Ross, Vice President Ken Roth, Treasurer Bill Ross, Recording Secretary Gloria Roth, and Corresponding Secretary Carol Betts.
Amherst Historical Society's President's Dinner
Save the Date of Saturday, March 9 for the Amherst Historical Society's annual President's Dinner. This year's dinner will be held at the Eagles Club on Milan Avenue and will honor President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Cocktails and appetizers will begin at 5:30 PM with dinner served at 6:30. There will be swing music, raffles, and memorabilia. Contact the society at amhersthistory@centurytel.net for more information.
Register for Oberlin Spring Break Camps
Oberlin Heritage Center is offering two weeks of camps in March and April. Choose either the week of March 25-29 or the week of April 22-26 (9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) when boys and girls ages 8-13 will explore some of the terrible tales of the past. Did you know that in Colonial America a woman could be accused of witchcraft for having an argument with a neighbor? Or that more soldiers died from disease than from fighting during the American Civil War? While the horrible side of history includes people and events that make us shudder, it also pushed others to make improvements for themselves and the world around them. Campers will find this a fascinating week of exploring some of the foul facts of world history and discovering how progress can be made as they are encouraged to think of creative solutions to problems of the past and present. Camps are held at the Oberlin Depot, 240 South Main Street. Register by March 1 and receive an early bird discount. Scholarship assistance is available for those who qualify for free or reduced school lunches. Contact the Oberlin Heritage Center for more information.
Local History Organizations will Gather Together on March 23
The Ohio Local History Alliance has announced the schedule for its 2019 regional meetings. Our region 3 meeting will be held on March 23 at Lakewood Historical Society. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity to learn from and to make connections with other local history organizations. Click here to learn more.
OGS 2019 logo
OGS Annual Conference
Registration is open for the annual conference of the Ohio Genealogical Society. The conference takes place Wednesday, May 1 through Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Great Wolf Lodge Convention Center in Mason, Ohio. Click here for more information.
planned giving graphic
Please remember Lorain County Historical Society in your will or trust.
Inspired by Lorain County’s past to shape the future!
The Lorain County Historical Society collects, preserves, interprets, and presents the history of Lorain County.
Lorain County Historical Society | 440-322-3341 | lchs@lchs.org | www.lchs.org