"Celebrate Good Times" at the Valentine Teas

Since 1895, the home of Arthur and Mary Garford has been the site of many celebrations, from anniversaries and birthday parties to elegant teas. Join us in February for another lovely event when LCHS presents the 20th Annual Valentine Tea at The Hickories. The program for this celebratory occasion will be presented by Janet Bird and will give the chance to reminisce about the last twenty years of Valentine Teas. Afterwards, guests will be served a three-course high tea complete with savory sandwiches, scrumptious scones, and delightful desserts. Tickets are $25 each for LCHS members and $28 for non-members. Contact LCHS at 440-322-3341 or [email protected] for more information.

Free Workshop Series: Writing About History

Lorain County Historical Society will be partnering with local author Kelly Boyer Sagert to offer a series of three history writing workshops in early 2019. The workshops will be held on January 28, February 25, and March 25 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 [email protected] for more information or to sign up.

Thank You!

Lorain County Historical Society extends our gratitude to our many members and friends who donated to our year-end Annual Fund campaign. Our work would not be possible without you!

 

In December, we received notification that the Community Foundation of Lorain County approved a grant for our Community Educational Outreach program! This grant of $13,500 was made possible through the Genealogy and Local History Fund and the Harold Glenn Johnson Fund of the Foundation. The funds will be used to provide local history education programming in Lorain County in 2019. Thank you!

 

Over the coming year we will offer a full calendar of engaging programs, exhibits, and events that will spark your passion for history. Thank you for believing in our mission and generously donating to Lorain County Historical Society!

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 [email protected] if you have an item that may be appropriate.

Study on McCullough’s John Adams

Jazz up the chilly days after the holidays and take part in a study of “John Adams” at the Lorain County History Center. David McCullough’s book “John Adams” is “history on a grand scale – a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas.” Directed by leader-teacher Jim Van Horn, the class will meet Tuesdays from 1:00 – 2:30 PM, beginning January 15 and ending March 5. The History Center is located at 284 Washington Avenue, Elyria. The class is offered through Case Western Reserve University’s Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program. The cost is $84 for members of Lifelong Learning and $100 for non-members. Class coordinator, Sue VanArsdale, can be reached at 440- 458-6016 for more information.

The Indomitable Women of the 1800s

Come to the Avon Lake Public Library on January 14 to hear empowering stories of women reformers from the nineteenth century. Heritage Avon Lake will present “The Indomitable Women of the 1800s”. See and hear the accounts of Jane Addams, Catherine Booth, Florence Kelley, Carrie Nation, and Mary Walker through character portrayals. The presentation begins at 1:00 PM in the library’s Waugaman Gallery. This event is free. Contact Heritage Avon Lake for more information.

Ohio Genealogical Society Meeting

The public is invited to attend the January 14 meeting of the Lorain County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road. A social time will begin at 6:30. Sandee Ruth, retired librarian, will share information on "Free Online Treasurers of the Librarian." She will provide information about some of the free digital resources people have access to with a library card. These include e-books, audiobooks, movies, tutorials, and special databases that ordinarily cost a subscription fee. For more information, contact Norm at 440-856-5170.

Music of the American Civil War

Come to Kendal at Oberlin on Tuesday, January 15 to hear local historian and musician Timothy Krugman weave together commentary on the role of music on the Civil War battlefield. Krugman will share how the mood of the nation and song shifted over time, with period music performed using guitar, banjo, and voice. He is a Civil War re-enactor from Elyria and will appear in Union uniform. This event will take place at 7:15 PM in Kendal at Oberlin's Heiser Auditorium. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Oberlin Heritage Center.

Oberlin Heritage Center Seeks Nominations

The Oberlin Heritage Center is currently seeking nominations for its annual Community Awards Program. The program celebrates and recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses whose outstanding accomplishments in serving the community are in keeping with OHC’s mission to preserve and share Oberlin's unique heritage and to make the community a better place to live, learn, work and visit. Nominations are due by February 1, 2019. Click here for more information.

Save the Date 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.

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.

History Organizations: Save the Date!

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.

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.