November 2010

The society operates a museum with a collection of over 1,700 objects, a library and archive with primary and secondary materials, conducts school tours and organizes a wide variety of programs. Located on the site of the former North Union Shaker Colony, it is one of twelve stops on the National Shaker Heritage Trail and one of 62 properties administered by The Ohio Historical Society.

The society's collection, exhibits, programs, events and activities revolve around this historic legacy. In 1956, once the society had amassed a collection, it set up a permanent exhibit in a local elementary school. By 1970, the collection had grown significantly, and it was moved to its current location, a 1910 Prairie/Tudor style residential house, one of the earliest structures of the then new "Shaker Heights Village." Designed by architect Daniel A. Reamer (1871-1926) for Louis and Blanche Myers, it was donated to the state of Ohio for use of The Shaker Historical Society by their son, Frank A. Myers. Today, it serves visitors from around the world, nation and region including students, scholars and those seeking to connect with local history.

From the lobby of the new center, visitors may tour exhibits on the Northwest Territory & Ohio statehood, the founding of Ohio's first capital Chillicothe, the prehistoric cultures of the Scioto River valley, the Civil War years in Ross County, Camp Sherman & World War I, historical toys & dolls, early Ohio decorative arts, historical art portraits, and historical vehicles & transportation. Visitors may also choose to visit the society's Knoles Log House which features many artifacts that illustrate life in early Ohio, plus the Franklin House - the Society's museum dedicated to women's history.

Heritage Center patrons may also visit the Society's McKell Library - a research center and repository of thousands of rare books, journals, manuscripts, historical documents, and photographs.

The Hall of Fame, opened in 1963, stands as a shining tribute to the men who have made professional football America’s most popular sport.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has grown in both size and stature. The building was expanded in 1971, 1978 and 1995; and completed major exhibit gallery renovations in 2003 and 2008. Together, these improvements have transformed the original 19,000 square-foot Hall of Fame museum into an exciting 83,000 square-foot internationally recognized institution and travel destination.

The hall is located in Canton, Ohio, for three primary reasons; (1) the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League, was founded in Canton on September 17, 1920. (2) the Canton Bulldogs were an early-day pro football power, even before the days of the NFL. They were also the first two-time champion of the NFL in 1922 and 1923. The great Jim Thorpe, the first big-name athlete to play pro football, played his first pro football with the Bulldogs, starting in 1915. (3) Canton citizens early in the 1960's launched a determined and well-organized campaign to earn the site designation for their city.

The Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) collects, preserves, and interprets its extensive museum, library, and archival collections that relate to Monmouth County's history and culture and makes these resources available to the widest possible audience.

Through its pursuit of these objectives, the Association enriches the quality of life in Monmouth County by preserving and passing on knowledge of its diverse heritage for future generations.

Since 1898, the Monmouth County Historical Association has collected over 30,000 objects relating to Monmouth County life. The collections span over three centuries of the lives of Monmouth County residents of virtually every social and economic background. Many of the objects are on view at the Association’s four historic houses open to the public, and the Association incorporates many of its objects into its changing exhibitions.

The Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County was incorporated way back in 1890 as an outgrowth of two earlier groups. Our collection was then housed in a room in the old Soldiers and Sailors Monumental Association building on North Fifth Street. That building was torn down in 1937 and the Historical Society moved into the old Bailey home at the corner of Maple and Adair. We shared the building with the Zanesville Art Institute. As the Art Institute expanded less space was available for use by the Historical Society making it difficult to accept donations and expand the collection.

Historic Fort Steuben was built in 1786 by the First American Regiment for the protection of surveyors who had been sent by the Continental Congress to map the Northwest Territory. At this time the Indians in the area were hostile.

The site was selected as most desirable for a military defense since it was bounded on the east by the Ohio River and lay on a slope of land that was uniform and drained toward the river with hills to the west which formed a natural amphitheater around the perimeter. It was on this site that Captain John Francis Hamtramck of the First American Regiment built a small blockhouse for the protection of his provisions while he and his men constructed the fort.

A private, not-for-profit organization, the society serves as the state's agent in historical matters in return for financial subsidy support that constitutes two-thirds of the OHS operating budget. (The remaining revenues are obtained from varied sources such as grants, private and corporate gifts, and earned revenue from admissions and gift shop sales.)

Services provided to the state include managing state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. The state's interests in the society's activities are represented by nine trustees appointed by the Governor. Nine other trustees are elected by the board of trustees.

The Oberlin Village Improvement Society was founded in 1903 by Mrs. Adelia Field Johnston (1837-1910) who approached Charles Martin Hall (1863-1914) about improving the town so it would be a place "worthy of the college." The organization was typical of many "City Beautiful" type municipal improvement groups formed during the Progressive Era. The first meeting of the Oberlin Village Improvement Society (OVIS) was held February 16th, 1903 in the Sunday school room of Second Church and was called to order by General Giles Shurtleff. The early projects of the Society included the placing of waste paper receptacles on street corners, stopping people from cutting across privately owned lawns, and promoting home gardening projects among school children.

The museum has been owned and operated by the Heisey Collectors of America, Inc. (HCA) since 1974. Visitors are treated to breathtaking arrangements of Heisey glassware featuring hundreds of patterns and all known colors. Elegant cuttings, etchings and engravings, as well as experimental pieces, can also be seen. The collection is largely donated by or on loan from HCA members.

In addition to seeing beautiful Heisey glassware, guests can learn about factory production practices through the display of molds, tools, etching plates, factory designs, samples and even "whimsies."

The museum consists of the historic Samuel D. King residence, an 1831 Greek Revival style home which was saved from demolition and moved to Veterans Park in July of 1973, and a new wing added in 1993 which features two large galleries, a media center and an archives facility. The museum also contains a library facility open to HCA members and a Museum Shop stocked with reproductions made from Heisey molds, collectors' books, and even some original Heisey.