Tag Archives: Ross County Historical Society

News

Statehood Day Chillicothe!

Presented by, Atomic Speedway

Statehood Day Chillicothe will be observed on Saturday, March 5th.

Celebrate the founding of the State of Ohio at some of Chillicothe’s historical museums and genealogical library.

Lucy Hayes Heritage Center at 90 West Sixth Street will be open that day from 10am-4pm, featuring tours of the home from 11am-3pm, special living history program featuring Ohio’s first governor- Edward Tiffin- portrayed by David Tillis from 3pm-4pm.

There will also be special artifacts and documents on display with a period room setting featuring mid 19th century home furnishings and decorative arts.

Photo Courtesy of Lucy Webb Hayes Heritage Center

The Ross County Geneological Society at 303 South Paint Street will be open 9am-4pm.

Meet society members and learn about the number of resources they offer researching your family tree.

The Ross County Heritage Center at 45 West Fifth Street will be open noon-4pm.

It features a special one day exhibit of original Ohio statehouse documents including Thomas Worthington’s personal draft of the 1802 Ohio Enabling Act displayed on Ohio’s Constitution Table.

There will also be a special Ross County Samplers & Needlework Exhibit, a special one day exhibit of antique military arms and armaments. Special living history presentations by Ohio War of 1812 reenactors. 

All other museum exhibits will also be open and traditional live dulcimer music will be played through the day. 

News

Ross County Historical Society Hosts Christmas Open House December 11th

Presented by Classic Brands

The Christmas Tree on display in December 2018 at the Ross County Heritage Center, Chillicothe, Ohio. Dan Ramey/Litter Media

The Ross County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Open House returns December 11th from 1:00pm-4:00pm inside the Ross County Heritage Center, 45 West Fifth Street in Chillicothe.

Features will include a beautiful, one-of-a-kind Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of hand-cut paper ornaments by local artist Bonnie Grove; a charming Victorian Christmas parlor with late 19th & early 20th century holiday decorations and toys; and other exhibits including “Toys from the Attic,” and “Chillicothe’s Model Railroad.”  New this year will be a special exhibit on Ross County Samplers & Needlework from the historical society’s textile collections.

Admission to the Christmas Open House is free.

The RCHS will also welcome young visitors aged 6 through 12 for their Holiday Children’s Program this Saturday December 4th from 9:30am-12:30pm. Junior Members receive free admission for the event and non-member admission is $10.00. Early registration is required by Thursday December 2nd by calling 740-772-1936.

News

200 Years Of Quilts & Needlework On Exhibit At Ross Historical Society

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Litter Media’s Mike Smith talks with Ross County Historical Society Curator Jamie Bliven, concerning their current exhibit that features 200 years of quilts. (CLICK VIDEO ARROW BELOW TO WATCH)

The quilt collection from the Ross County Historical Society that covers 200 years, is now on exhibit through November 27th.

Curator Jamie Bliven says some of the quilts on display have not been seen in man y years, and once this exhibit closes, it could be many more years before they are seen again.

The Star of the East quilt, which is pictured above in our video, is the oldest on display. It was created by Mary H. McMillin in 1835.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm-5pm. The quilt exhibit is intended to be a self-guided tour, which information provided on each quilt.

News

Ross Historical Society To Host Social Event With German Culture Flavor

Presented By Classic Brands

The Ross County Historical Society will host a special day of German food and entertainment on Friday, September 17th between 11am-7pm. The event will be held at the Historical Society at 45 West Fifth Street in Chillicothe.

Schmidt’s Sausage Truck from German Village will be on hand for those attending to enjoy their cuisine, while supplies last.

The Ohio Alphorn Band will also be performing throughout the day, rain or shine.

The public event is a social gathering and is not a fundraiser. Society officials say “no German heritage is necessary” to attend.

A small temporary exhibit on local German culture will also be on display.

For for information, call (740) 772-1936.

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Ross Historical Society To Host 125th Annual Meeting

Presented By Rathkamp Financial

(Photo: Lynn Carden)

The Ross County Historical Society’s 125th Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, June 21st, at 7pm, at the Ross County Heritage Center. The meeting agenda includes reports for the secretary, the treasurer, and the director.

Students receiving the 2021 Colonel Richard Enderlin Scholarship – Cater Markko from Unioto High School and Savannah Robinson from Adena High School – will be recognized, as will the recipients of the First Capital History Awards – Lynn Carden and Melody Lapczynski – who will give short presentations of the projects for which they are being recognized. In addition, all volunteers who have assisted the Society over the past year will receive recognition and thanks.

(Above Video is our Litter Media Feature With Lynn Carden)

The meeting will also include the election of six seats on the Society’s Board of Trustees. Four board members are up for re-election – Barbara Cleary, Neil Coleman, Lynn Moody, and Deb Turvy. Ron Cook is nominated for his first three-year term, and Betsy Moore is up for election to complete a one-year term.

Biographical information of all candidates was included in the Annual Meeting mailing.

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Chillicothe Kiwanis Select Statehood Achievement Award While Statehood Day Open House Events To Be Cancelled

Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Ohio Statehood Day activities in Chillicothe will be cancelled this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That includes the Annual Chillicothe Kiwanis Club and Ross County Ministerial Association Statehood Day Prayer Breakfast.

Despite that fact, the Kiwanis Club has announced that their “Spirit of Ohio” Achievement Award would be going to Adena Health System on behalf of their frontline workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a prepared press release, Chillicothe Kiwanis Club President Melody Young says “Their actions and commitment truly reflect and represent the Spirit Of Ohio.”

The award will be shared to the community through the Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page.

Young says “The Ross County Ministerial Association will additionally be asked to continue their tradition by establishing Statehood Sunday on March 7th, 2021 to pray for guidance for our city, county, state and country officials during their services.”

Other local groups associated with local and state history say they too will not be conducting Open House activities this Statehood Day. That includes the Ross County Historical Society, David Nickens Heritage Center and Lucy Webb Hayes House.

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Ross County Historical Society’s Operating Hours During the Pandemic

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(The following is an email from the Ross County Historical Society to its members.)

The current coronavirus has affected everyone and forced RCHS to suspend our normal operations of museum tours and research for the past several months. It also caused us to cancel many programs and events this year, such as the Spring & Fall Speakers Series, Archaeology Day, the Farmer’s Market, Junior Member Programs, Schmitt’s German Night, Christmas Open House. Unfortunately, we do not know what other activities will be effected in 2021.

During this time of uncertainty, your support is more important than ever. Our membership count was on the rise, and we were working on more new and exciting ideas to promote local history when all the plans came to a stand still. However, RCHS has stood strong for 125 years, and we will continue our mission of providing entertaining and educational opportunities for our members and friends as soon as we feel it is safe to do so.

As we re-open our facilities within the state guidelines of public health safety standards, we ask for your understanding and cooperation. Please do not hesitate to call us before visiting our facilities if you have any questions or concerns. Our schedule for opening to the public is as follows:

The Ross County Heritage Center, including the Museum and Knoles Log House, will be open by appointment on Fridays & Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. during the COVID 19 Pandemic as long as the Ohio COVID Public Health Emergency Level is at 2 (Orange) or below. The Museum will be closed to the public whenever the level is at 3 (Red) or above. To schedule a museum tour, please call 740-772-1936, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays. The size of tour groups will be limited to four members of a family, the same household, or those traveling in the same vehicle.

The McKell Library will be open by appointment, 1-5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, based on the same emergency levels at the Museum – open at Level 2 (Orange) or below and closed whenever the level is at 3 (Red) or above. Please call 740-773-1896 during operating hours for an appointment.

Walk-ups will only be admitted to both the Museum and Library if the time slot is not already reserved. Hand sanitizing, social distancing and face masks are required for all facilities. Disposable masks will be provided at no charge to those without their own.