Newsletter - Logan County History Center

Volume XXV Issue 6
NOVEMBER—DECEMBER, 2013
What’s
Inside:
President’s Message
2
Artifact Donations
2
Christmas Membership Meeting 3
Drawing Winners
3
Young Historians
Kennedy Memories
Construction Updates
3
4&5
6
Addition Fundraising Update 6
Calendar of Events
7
New Memberships
7
Museum Hours & Trustees 7
Membership Form
7
Christmas Greetings
8
Open House
At the Logan County Museum,
521 E Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine
December 7th & 8th AND
December 14th & 15th
from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
** THE LOGAN COUNTY MUSEUM beautifully decorated for the Holidays
** VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TREES & ROOM:
TREES decorated by–(to date) Young Historians, Ben Logan’s Kindergartens, Ben Logan 1st, Ben
Logan 2nd, Ben Logan 3rd Grades, Ben Logan Art Club, 4-H Shooting Sports, Logan County
Girl Scouts, Mad River Dulcimers, Logan County WIC, Logan County Genealogical Society
Logan County Humane Society, Top of Ohio Patriots, DAR, Vineyard Christian Youth
Fellowship, Trumpet Vine Flowers & Gifts
ROOMS decorated by–(to date) Logan County District Library, Stoneyfield Farm Orchard,
Logan County Genealogical Society, Logan County Athenians, Logan County Piecemakers
** FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITIES
** FREE PUNCH & COOKIES
** BIG GIFT SHOP SALE
** LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT:
Saturday, December 7
1:30– 2:30 BHS Jazz Band
3:00-4:00 Riverside Dulcimers
4:00-5:00 Harp Trio
Sunday, December 8
1:00-2:00 Don Miller
2:00-3:00 Paula Deardurff’s Piano Students
3:00-4:00 Paula Deardurff’s Piano Students
4:00-5:00 God’s Children Choir
********************************************
Saturday, December 14
1:00-2:00 Nick Pelfrey & Larry Walker Sax Duets
2:00-3:00 Grace Chapel Jazz Trio
3:00-4:00 Mad River Dulcimers
4:00–5:00 Kim Smith’s Piano Students
Sunday, December 15
1:00-2:00 The Chanteurs
2:00-3:30 Shirley McPherson’s Piano Students
3:30-4:30 Popular Demand Barber Shop Singers
** FREE ADMISSION & PARKING, **For more information call 937-593-7557
Share the Spirit of Christmas with us!
Page 2
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The President’s Message:
BIG CHANGES COMING JANUARY 1ST
Construction of the Transportation Museum is currently ahead of schedule and is expected to be finished sometime between
Thanksgiving and Christmas. That means we can start putting things into the new facility and get busy on all the exhibits there and
several new exhibits in the current museum.
David Wagner
We’re hoping that winter weather will not be an enormous obstacle to the moving process, as some things can be moved through the
connector from the current museum into their new home. Other larger things like the hearse, covered wagon, etc. will require braving the weather
outside. Either way the whole process will involve much chaos up and down the museum hallway and rooms, along with a good number of strong backs
putting in many hours of work.
Todd McCormick, as Curator/Director, and John McPherson, as Building & Ground Manager, will likely carry much of the responsibility for the move.
After a great deal of thought and discussion, the Board has decided to close the Logan County Museum, including the Orr Mansion, from New Year’s
Day through the grand opening in April. As usual, both the museum and the society office will also be closed for the holiday from December 23 through
New Years Day. The office, however, will reopen on January 2 and remain open Monday through Fridays from 9:00 to 5:00.
Several events are planned as part of the grand opening, tentatively set for the last weekend of April, including a preview for donors and representatives
of the press, ribbon cutting ceremony, and even a parade.
We are eager to show off the new building. As you may well imagine, the time between now and April will fly by at a furious pace. Nonetheless, we want
to make sure everything is done in the best possible manner.
It is for this reason we feel the need to not have the museum open during normal hours. We realize that this will be something of an inconvenience to the
public, but it should be more than outweighed by what is to come. If you’ve been to the museum over the last several months you must have sensed the
excitement that is sweeping us along. We hope you are experiencing that same excitement and will agree with our decision to close the museum
temporarily.
MUSEUM– CLOSED- December 23, 2013 through Grand Opening in late April, 2014.
Society OFFICE– CLOSED- December 23, 2013 through January 2, 2014. REOPENS– January 2, Mon.—Fri. 9:00-5:00
David Wagner
Artifact Donations – Thanks!
August 15, 2013 – October 18, 2013
Bellefontaine Police Department – Bellefontaine Police Department patch
Wade Shroer & Jane Henry – Stony Creek Dairy (Bellefontaine) milk bottle
Linda Austin – Rushsylvania Record Newspaper April 27, 1910, railroad photos
Laurabeth Reed – 1850s hand-knit shawl worn by Jane Rosebrugh Pegg, 1909 hand-knit mittens worn by Martha Corwin Kerns
Holland Theatre – Paintings by J. Donald Prouty of Bellefontaine
Logan County Art League – Paintings by Taylor Smith and Edwin Blain of Logan County
Pat Dorsey – School hand bell presented to Leland Dorsey by the B.M.S. P.T.O. for his service with Bellefontaine Schools
Dale Kuhn – (memory of Catherine & Russell Kuhn) – Railroad spike hammer and railroad dolly cart
Mike Brinkman – Paleo Indian knife blade, Archaic knife blade, Native American ax, hide scrapers, bone fish hook (ax, scrapers
and hook made by donor), donor’s army uniform during service in the Vietnam War
Top of Ohio Ag Tour – Photo albums and newspaper clippings from previous Ag Tours
James Turner – 1927 Logan County High School Basketball Tournament program
Kyble Thomas – World War I letters, postcards, booklets, photographs, gas mask, medals, and uniform of Frank H. Thomas of
West Liberty
Bob Wildermuth – New York Central System railroad manuals and railroad books
Logan County Commissioners – Appointment books of Dr. C.L. Barrett 1940s-1950s
Charlot Welshimer Wade – BHS Chieftania yearbooks 1939 & 1940, BHS Class of 1942 reunion articles, Northwest Ordinance
Sesquicentennial scrapbook
Joanne Dunkel – BHS football programs 1946 & 1947, school programs from St. Patrick’s school
Gary & Angela Blake – American Freedom Train 1975-1976 program
Ted & Carol Kneisley – Quilting frames, Native American prehistoric bannerstone
George Six & family – mid to late 1800s organ owned by Robert & Lydia Watkins of rural Bellefontaine
Donald Corwin – U.S. Armed Forces Hymnal
Terry Casperson – Railroad signal lights, railroad post pinnacle, railroad lineman’s wrench, railroad date spikes
Ralph & Ann Wood – New York Central kerosene can, slides taken of hospital and streets in Dallas during JFK’s assassination
David & Carole Wagner – Railroad pins, carnival cane
Bellefontaine Elks #132 – Organization’s minutes books, programs, photographs
George Wilkinson – Civil War Military Service Records of Josiah D. Emerson of West Mansfield/Bellefontaine
Frank Miller – New York Central System railroad switch lock & key, railroad books
Jean Leininger – Benjamin Logan yearbooks
Tim Pierce – J.S. Shellabarger Bottling Works, Bellefontaine, O bottle
Kristen Christensen – A.J. Miller booklet and photos
Paul Benedetti – Benedetti Photography and Woodruff Photography negatives
Page 3
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Logan County Historical Society’s
Membership Christmas Meeting
December 11th
For this year’s Membership Christmas Meeting we are again asking everyone
to bring finger foods (or whatever you want) for a light dinner in the
Presidents’ Room followed by fun, games and music.
This will also be an important meeting as we will be voting on
our new 2014 Board of Trustees and Officers.
Everyone will have the opportunity to view the Christmas trees in the
Museum and the Orr Mansion decorated for the open house.
We hope to see you here! Please try to come and
bring your family and friends!
The more the merrier!!
Happy
Holidays!
Volunteer
Appreciation
Monthly $20.00
Gift Certificate Drawing
September Winner
Winner—
—
Judy Snyder
October Winner
Winner—
—
Pat Ortli
YOUNG HISTORIANS
The Young Historians held its first meeting of the school year on
September 23rd with many new members in attendance. We went
over this year’s theme of Logan County and the Railroad. The kids
toured the Railroad Room in the museum and then created their
own railroads using Thomas the Tank Engine wooden tracks and
trains.
The Young Historians will not be meeting in October due to the
museum’s Halloween KidFest on October 26th from 1:00-4:00. The
Young Historians are encouraged to come to the KidFest. The
Young Historians will next meet on Tuesday, November 17th from
6:00-7:00 in the Presidents’ Room of the museum. We will be making
decorations to go on the Young Historians’ Christmas tree at the
museum’s Christmas open house. The Young Historians will then
have their Christmas meeting on Monday, December 16th from 6:007:00 in the Presidents’ Room.
The Young Historians is open to kids in 1st grade on up. If you have
any questions about the Young Historians please contact Todd at
593-7557 or [email protected].
Todd
Page 4
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Personal Memories of the Assassination of
President John F Kennedy
While baby Laura had her afternoon nap it was my
habit to put my feet up and watch the soap opera “As
the World Turns”. Right in the middle of the show the
station broke away from the story and a very shaken
Walter Cronkite appeared on the screen. He
announced to the world what had happened in
Dallas and one hour later that President Kennedy
had died.
From then on our television was on – we watched the
events as reported all weekend long – afraid to watch
and afraid not to watch for fear we’d miss something.
It was hard to process what was happening even
though I could see it unfolding in front of me. I felt
such deep sadness and experienced what it must mean
to have a heavy heart. Like most of the world I
marveled at the presence and courage of Mrs.
Kennedy and the rest of the Kennedy family.
Those images from the shooting and the new president
being sworn in through the funeral procession and
burial are as clear in my memory as the days they
happened.
Jean Leininger
I was in the Air Force in Japan in 1963. We were
flying missions designed to keep track of our
adversaries in China, North Korea, the USSR and
Vietnam at the time. We had been placed on highest
alert a few months earlier when President Kennedy
and Khrushchev faced off over the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Our individual politics aside, we were unanimous in our
support and respect for the way our president had
called Khrushchev’s bluff.
The time difference between the U.S. and Japan being
12 hours, the events in Dallas occurred in the middle
of our night. One my close friends awoke for reasons
still unexplainable for him and tuned in to Armed
Forces Radio to hear the news. As the story unfolded,
he started waking up others in our flight crew
quarters.
Surreal is a word often overused, but that is exactly
what we experienced there. We were wandering up and
down the hallways going from room to room to try to
understand what was happening. I remember seeing
tears in the eyes of people who rarely or never
demonstrated such emotions.
Checking in with higher ups, we awaited any orders
that might come down. We were told to be on standby until further notice.
My own personal reaction was a combination of
disbelief and helplessness. This was to be one of the
darkest days for each of us in uniform and for the
nation as a whole. What happened to me that night is
forever burned in my memory.
David Wagner
I will never forget the day President Kennedy was
assassinated. I had taken my four year old
daughter Christmas shopping. We had just got in a
store when we heard the news. I turned around and
headed home as all I wanted was to be with my
family and be home.
November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas- photo taken by Ralph Wood
Pat Allen
I remember as if it were yesterday what I was
doing and where I was. I was working in the
Hematology department at Louis A. Weiss
Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I was using
the microscope to “read” a blood differential
when the radio station cut in with the message
about John Kennedy.
My brother was on his way back from Korea
and didn't know about it until he was close to
San Francisco. He idolized the man and years
later
built
a
house
on
Camelot
Road.
Pat Ortli
Page 5
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas- photo taken by Ralph Wood
Ralph Wood was living near Dallas in 1963. He was at a
business lunch when the restaurant brought out a radio so all
of the patrons could listen to the news reports of the
shooting of President Kennedy. Ralph left the restaurant and
went back to his office to pick up a camera. He then made
his way to the roof of a building that a friend owned and
began taking photographs (slides) of the commotion outside of
the hospital until Secret Service agents forced him off the
roof. Ralph then stood at a gas station and continued taking
photographs elsewhere including getting this photo of the gold
Lincoln Continental taking Vice-President Johnson and Mrs.
Kennedy to Air Force One at Love Field where Johnson was
sworn in as president.
The following is an excerpt from an article
published in The Professional Car in 2010,
issue #135, by Thomas McPherson,
a Logan County Historical Society member.
An Iconic American Professional Car
The 1964 J.F.K Miller-Meteor
Classic Combination Car
Photo provided by Tom McPherson
Photo provided by Tom McPherson
It was a sparkling, new 1964 Miller-Meteor
Classic Limousine Duplex upon which an entire nation’s eyes were focused for 10-minutes
one afternoon in 1963. It was the vehicle transporting the body of martyred President John F. Kennedy in a sombre three-mile procession from
Parkland Memorial Hospital to Air Force One at Dallas’ Love Field before being flown back to Washington, D.C. on November 22, 1963.
It has been said, with considerable anecdotal support, that everyone who was older than about five years-old on that day, remembers exactly
where they were and what they were doing when they learned President Kennedy had been shot. Those frightening, sorrowful hours and days
are etched in the collective memories of all who experienced them. The grainy black and white television images were a mutually shared
experience. Doubt, concern, sorrow, loss and fear clouded everyone’s minds on that and the following eventful days.
The first minutes were a blur captured on film and video and rumours began to swirl. Later as the news media rushed to Dallas’ Parkland
Memorial Hospital to await hard news, the images become more immediate. Covered live and carried on every network to a hushed and
sorrowful America - and the world - the impact of the afternoon’s events began to sink in. When the message everyone feared arrived,
delivered by veteran television anchorman Walter Cronkite, just after 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, that President Kennedy was dead, the
machinery of government had already swung into action. Vice President Johnson had been rushed to Love Field where he could be sequestered
on Air Force One…..
For the rest of this article please go to www.loganhistory.org or call 593-7557 for a printed copy.
I was teaching fifth grade at an elementary school in east Columbus in 1963. Our school had not yet installed a school-wide
public address system, so President Kennedy’s assassination could not be instantly shared with all teachers.
The principal came to each room and whispered to the teachers what had happened. I was left to make the announcement to
the class. As the students began to comprehend what I was telling them they became overwhelmed with shock. Some cried;
others just sat quietly.
School was dismissed early and I thought it would be good for me if I were to return to my home in Zanesfield. Coming
through Columbus I saw very little traffic but recall the
sound of church bells ringing throughout the city.
Then, like all Americans, I was left to deal with the
universal grief over what had happened.
Carole Wagner
My memory of the Kennedy assassination might be different
than some others, but like most, we as American's were all
shocked. I was working at Hunters Park Hair Fashions in
Duluth, MN. When we heard it on the radio, we all dropped
what we were doing and just stared at the radio in
disbelief.
My dad phoned me that evening from
Bellefontaine, Oh. and said he was so shocked & sad that he
even got tears in his eyes.
Judy Snyder
November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas- photo taken by Ralph Wood
Page 6
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Transportation Museum Construction Update
Oct 9, 2013
Oct 9, 2013
Oct, 2013
Nov 1, 2013
New Logan County
Transportation Museum Addition
FUND RAISING DONORS
THANKS!
NEW DONORS ARE RECOGNIZED
IN COLORS
Formerly recognized donors IN GRAY
INNOVATORS: $25,000 AND UP
Honda of America
Honda Transmission
TRC-Transportation Research Center
Rowena Reames Estate
AcuSport/Berry Family Foundation
Don Gumpert Estate
Karen Beasley
March
27, 2013
FLYERS:
$10,000-$24,999
AGC- Pledge
Belletech Corp. Pledge
Bonnie & Dwight Hansen
Citizens Federal S & L
JoAnna Cost Lane Memorial
CONDUCTORS: $5,000-$9,999
Dick & Pat Ortli
M E Morris/Columbus Foundation
Ohio Ready Mix/Jason Duff
PAVERS: $1,000-$4,999
Dan & Sara Bratka
Kris Buchenroth Estate
Mobile Instrument
Ted & Carol Kneisley
Susan & Fred Burton
Patty & Gary Furrow
Jeffrey Godwin—Kenneth Henry Memorial
Barbara Ward
David & Carole Wagner
Doug & Patty Chamberlain
John & Toni McPherson
Mike Yoder
Paula Wammes Memorials
Steve & Maureen Austin
The Shelly Company
Elaine DeMarsh– Charles DeMarsh Memorial
Howard & Sharon Traul
Dave & Renee Duff
Mr. & Mrs. Gene Kress
Logan County Genealogical Soc.
DRIVERS: $500-$999
John & Janet Dete
Mary & Steven Mortimer
Mac & Carol Smith
Pat Allen– Carroll Allen Memorial
Millard & Alice Heilser Patrick Family
Jim Greer & the Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks
Todd & Amy McCormick
Dave & Becky Pennington
Quest Fed. Credit Union
Thomas & Marker Construction
Mary Rutan Hospital
Dave Keller
Royer Realty
Jim & Sandy Duff
PIONEERS: $100-$499
Shelley Wammes- Memory Paula Wammes
Charles DeMarsh Memorials
Madriver Theater Works
Franklin Smith Memorial
Bill McCormick
Duff Quarry
Jack & Heidi Reser
Philip R Moots
Robert & Nancy Erwin
Jason & Ann Vogel-Paula Wammes Memorial
Total Louise King Memorial
Jane Campbell
Liberty National Bank
Logan County Genealogical Society
Logan County Teachers Association
McMillen Concrete
William & Karen Montgomery
Jim Wood Memorials
David & Nancy Knight
Golden Dawn Farms- Wilsons
Joel & Donna Lehman
Pat Dorsey- Leland A Dorsey Memorial
Phillip & Betty Jo Black
Thompson, Dunlap, & Heydinger
Michael & Becky Neese-MemoryPaulaWammes
John & Joan Kelly
Terry Reeder
Antique Power Association
Barbara & Ronald Stewart
Bonafada Circle of KD/ Mary Pash
Brad Kunze
Bruce Smith
Champaign Telephone
Chuck & Margaret Beatty
Citizens Bank of DeGraff
COMSTOR/ Jason Duff
Darrin Dill
Douglas Quay
Gail & Gloria Hamilton
Green Hills Retirement Community
Jean & Stanley Leininger
Jerome & Joanne Ritter
Jim & Shirley King
Joyce Zilles
June & David Hinkle
Kenneth Peter
Kress Appraising
Mary L Owen, MS, RD, LD
Mary Pash-Memory of Glenn Pash
Nancy Cozart & Glen Miller
Norma & Bud Sweeney
Pat Swanson
Phil & Ginger Beasley
Polly McCormick-Kenneth McCormick Memorial
Robert Barnwell (M Kathleen Barnwell Family Trust)
Robin Zupp Hesson
Ronald & Charyl Winner
Thomas & Tamara Allison
West Liberty Lions
Lucile Lusby
Richard & Jean Powell
All Other Monies included in Balance
Donations Less than $100-THANKS!
Plus Interest
NOTE: Donations are as of October 31, 2013.
Now that we have reached our 20% share for the
grant, all future donations will go toward our nongrant items such as Transportation Museum artifact
restoration, exhibits, furniture, etc.
It is important to us to individually recognize everyone
who has donated at least $100. If we missed you in this
listing, please let us know by calling 593-7557!
Thank you for your support!
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Page 7
Halloween KidFest 2013 was Ghoulishly Fun!
Handing out candy to the Trick-orTreaters were Deb & Dave Allison
who portrayed characters from the
movie “Haunted Mansion” in the
scene created by the Logan
County Genealogical Society
Costume Contest Winners
Cutest– Elise Young
Most Original– Gracie Todd
Scariest– Austin Lamb
Best Overall– Aubrey Harmon
The “Monster Band”
scene was created by
Pam Ark, seated on
right. They played
frightfully good music!
Volunteers headed up by Kit
Wehe offered lots of ghostly
activities, enjoyed in the
Museum’s meeting room.
2013
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NOVEMBER
2-Sat—Building Committee Workday, 8:30
8—Fri— Christmas Committee Tree Setup 9:00
14—Thu—Trustee Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
19-Tue—Young Historians, 6:00-7:00 pm
27-29— Wed-Fri– OFFICE & MUSEUM
CLOSED for Thanksgiving
DECEMBER
NO WORKDAY for Building Committee
Merry Christmas!
7&8 AND14&15-Sat & Sun— 1:00-5:00
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
11- Wed— LCHS Membership Christmas
Carry-In Meeting
16– Mon— Young Historians, Christmas
Party
Dec 23-Jan 2—Museum & Office
CLOSED for Holidays
2014
JANUARY
Jan 1-Apr 30
MUSEUM CLOSED
2– Society OFFICE reopens from holiday
4-Sat—Building Committee Workday, 8:30 a.m.
9—Thu—Trustee Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
21-Tue—Young Historians, 6:00-7:00 pm
New Members
September & October
2013
Charlot Welshimer Wade, Enon
Phyllis Wiley, Bellefontaine
WELCOME !
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY WELCOMES YOU!!
NOTICE: You can now pay your dues on our
website at www.loganhistory.org
using either PayPal or your credit card!
All dues paid after October 1st will be applied to 2014.
NEW MEMBER ____, RENEWAL ____
Dues: Single - $15, Family - $20, Business - $25
SPECIAL—Museum Hours
NAME______________________________
2013- Nov 1—Dec 22- 2013
ADDRESS__________________________
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1:00-4:00 p.m.
CLOSED Dec 23rd-31st
-2014Museum CLOSED Jan 1-Apr 30
Curator’s Office Hours
(in basement of Mansion)
Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Phone 937.593.7557
Email: [email protected]
OR [email protected]
2013 HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
David Wagner President
Dan Bratka Vice-President
William McCormick Treasurer
Mary Mortimer Assistant Treasurer
Bonnie Hansen Recording Secretary
Pat Ortli Corresponding Secretary
Doug Chamberlain Trustee (2013)
John Tucci Trustee (2013)
Nikki Smith Trustee (2013)
Patty Furrow Trustee (2014)
Karen Beasley Trustee (2014)
Mike Yoder Trustee (2014)
Charlie Patrick Trustee (2015)
Brandon StandleyTrustee (2015)
Brian Baker Trustee (2015)
CITY_______________________________
STATE ________ZIP__________________
PHONE ____________________________
EMAIL_____________________________
I can help with (check as many as apply):
Adult tours docent ____,
Student tours docent____,
Regular open hours tours docent ____,
Young Historians Club assistant _____,
Open house docent/volunteer ____,
Booth at Fair ____,
Indian Lake Festival booth____,
Halloween KidFest ____,
Christmas decorating of museum_____,
Christmas Open House docent/volunteer____,
Building Committee volunteer ____,
Gift Shop Committee volunteer ____,
Programs Committee volunteer ____,
Newsletter Committee volunteer ____,
Docent Committee volunteer ____,
Photography volunteer ____,
Fundraising Committee volunteer ____,
Other, explain _______________________________.
PLEASE SEND YOUR DUES AND/OR DONATIONS TO:
LOGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
521 E. COLUMBUS AVE.,
BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO 43311-2401
Logan County Historical Society
521 E Columbus Ave.
Bellefontaine, OH 43311
Merry Christmas &
Happy New Year to you and yours
From the
Logan County Historical Society