November 2010

Rose Lawn houses the writings and memorabilia of preacher Sam Jones and his wife, Rebecca Latimer Felton, who was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Senate. The museum also features the United Daughters of the Confederate collection, artifacts ranging from the antebellum to the war periods in Georgia. Rose Lawn is one of Bartow County's most noted landmarks.

In the fall of 1962, twenty Strongsville residents met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Chapman to discuss the need to organize a Historical Society. At the next meeting in January of 1963, Chairman Protem Mr. Chapman explained the need for the community to preserve buildings, furnishings, records, and local lore. It was at this meeting that a motion was made to formally organize the Strongsville Historical Society. In March of 1963, there were twenty residents present for the first regular business meeting of the new Society. The meeting was held at the high school library on Pearl Rd. In the words of Mr. James Beam, one of the Society's first members, "Although our town is rapidly changing, we must not allow our landmarks to be abolished." It is this philosophy that the Historical Society continues to promote.

The William G. Mather is a retired Great Lakes bulk freighter. She was built in Detroit by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge, Michigan in 1925 as the flagship for the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company. The Mather remained the Cliff's flagship until the Edward B. Green (now the Kaye E. Barker of the Interlake Steamship Company fleet) was built in 1952. She remained an active part of the Cliffs's fleet until the end of the 1980 navigation season.

In 1985, Cleveland-Cliffs sold its two remaining operating steamers to Rouge Steel Company, and gradually sold off its idle vessels until only the Mather remained.

After she was brought to Cleveland in October of 1988 and funding acquired from local foundations, corporations, and individuals, restoration began. In October 1990, she was moved to her berth at the East Ninth Street Pier on Cleveland's North Coast Harbor, and work continued. On September 24, 2005 the Mather was moved to a new location just north of the Great Lakes Science Center at Dock 32.

In 1898, F.A. Seiberling founded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, naming it after Charles Goodyear, the inventor of the vulcanization process for rubber. It was the turn of the twentieth century and the Industrial Age was forming modern America where cities grew and industries flourished. Akron, Ohio was no exception – it built its foundation on the rubber industry to become the “Rubber Capital of the World.”

Like many of his industrialist peers, F.A. Seiberling had architectural aspirations. Between 1912 and 1915, he and his wife, Gertrude, built their country estate and named it “Stan Hywet” (Old English for stone quarry) the property’s most prominent natural feature. While European country houses were based on generations of title and wealth, the American country estates were built by self-made financial giants. Vanderbilt’s Biltmore, Rockefeller’s Kykuit, and Hearst’s San Simeon, are well-known examples.

Thomas Rotch brought his flock of 400 Merino sheep to Spring Hill in 1811. He founded the nearby town of Kendal, which has become part of Massillon, Ohio. Charity started an early vocational school near their home. The home was a station on the Underground Railroad.

The Herrick Memorial Library was a gift to Wellington by Myron T. Herrick, a prominent businessman in the area. On display are vintage clothing, tools, hardware and dairy equipment used by farmers in the area.

The log cabin gives visitors a glimpse into the world of pioneer forefathers (and mothers) who settled this area when Wayne County was the wild West!

Early settlers made their way through the vast forests along Indian trails. When they found a plot of land they wished to claim, they faced the arduous task of clearing the land. It made sense to use some of the trees they needed to fell for their homes. Since blacksmith-forged nails were a pricey luxury, they fashioned wooden pins for nails and made wooden hinges and latches. There is a latchstring on the cabin's front door.

The Sheller Log House was originally located next to the former Lutheran Church (now the Independent Missionary Baptist Church) on East Main Street, Smithville (State Route 585). The 1856 Baker Map of Wayne County shows that it was owned by G. Sheller, a tailor. The exact year the house was built is not known. It was moved in 1929 from its original location to just across the street (from the north side to the south side of East Main Street). The Smithville Community Historical Society purchased the house and moved it to its present location.

This fine Federal-style mansion was home to three generations of the Crane family, descended from one of Montclair's founders. Israel Crane, a successful merchant who constructed the turnpike that opened New Jersey's heartland to earty trade, built the house when he was only 22. Dating from 1796 and remodeled circa 1840 with Greek -Revival details. This landmark house was considered grand for its period. Now restored, the home displays an outstanding collection of period furnishings and decorative arts.

The Crane House is situated on traditionally planted grounds with a country store, craft building, kitchen garden, and picturesque gazebo. The Historical Society offices, education center, and Terhune Library are located in the adjacent Clark House, a late - 19th-century residence.

Slate Run features a variety of habitats ranging from the open areas of grasslands, wetlands and meadows to the forested areas of beech, oak, hickory and sugar maple.

Red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, indigo bunting, belted kingfishers and numerous other birds and wildlife can be seen at the 156-acre wetlands. More than 70 species of birds have been spotted.

The Monmouth County Park System is Monmouth County's open space, park and recreation agency. Each year, the Park System also offers over 4,000 recreation programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities.