Ohio Historical Society

Link to Citizens' Guide page, NEW! 2012 Citizens' Guide is now available.


In spring 2011, the future of Zoar became threatened not only by a weakened levee on the river but also through a discussion by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding how to manage the risk of flooding to the town. The levee was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1936 as part of a water-control program. Weakened by aging and by decades of floods, it is now serving years beyond its original projected life expectancy. The Corps is in the process of assessing alternative scenarios such as repairing the levee, moving the village to higher ground or tearing down the town and allowing nature to take its course (the Corps would likely remove the levee if the town were acquired and razed). With two of those options the town is at severe risk. Speaking at a recent media event, Jon Elsasser, president of Zoar Community Association and a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Historical Society, said that moving the town to higher ground would have a dramatic negative effect on Zoar. Many buildings could not be moved for practical considerations. In addition, the logic of the town being located on a river would be lost. Click here to visit the Save Historic Zoar web page.	Exciting Exhibits at the Ohio History Center Controversy 2 NOW Open! See this remarkable new exhibit with objects from the Ohio Historical Collection that may cause you to ask questions of yourself and others about how we form perceptions of others. Objects are physical reminders that reflect cultural attitudes. Come see this exhibit and then share your opinions with us. Free with museum admission. Or, free for members. For membership info: Click Here. See it Soon! The American Soldier: A Photographic Tribute From The Civil War To Iraq Closes Sunday, May 27, 2012, 5 p.m. This dramatic exhibition of photographs captures the essence of the American soldier for over 150 years - ever since the birth of photography when the camera became a notebook to history. This exhibit has been a favorite of visitors. The intimacy of the photographs is powerful. Don’t miss this exhibit! Brought to you by award-winning curator Cyma Rubin, this is an exhibit you will talk about and remember for a long time. Last day: Sunday, May 27, 2012! The Ancient Ohio Summer Starts NOW! Many enticing events happen now through October 14. Click http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c08/greatcircle.shtml to learn more about the events of Ancient Ohio Summer 2012, plus find out about the fascinating cultures along the Ancient Ohio Trail. Summer Fun in the Ohio Village From June 2 – September 2, 2012, the Ohio Village will be open to the public the same days and hours that the Ohio History Center is open! (W-Sat. 10-5; Sun, Noon -5). War of 1812 diary transcriptions Read transcriptions of original diary entries from the Society’s database related to the War of 1812. Following in Ancient Footsteps Now on Display Explore more than 15,000 years of Ohio’s ancient Native American heritage. Some of the Society’s most significant archaeological artifacts, such as the Adena Pipe, the mica hand, and the Wray figurine, as well as many animal effigy pipes from Tremper Mound are on display.

GREAT NEWS The Ohio History Center’s museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10–5, Sunday 12–5.	OHIOCIVILWAR150.ORG The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is upon us. The Civil War sesquicentennial (2011-2015) provides a fresh opportunity for a new generation to rediscover the many ways in which Ohioans played a key role in the war and in which the war – “this mighty scourge,” as Lincoln described it – changed life in Ohio. The Civil War story in Ohio touches almost every community in the state, and this website is a place for those interested in its vast and fascinating history to come together around the anniversary of that time period. Visit www.ohiocivilwar150.org