Join the Alliance

We share your passion for local history.

The Ohio Local History Alliance is Ohio’s only statewide organization for local history. It’s what we know and we’re proud to be a part of it. Whether yours is a small, all-volunteer group or a large, fully staffed museum we’re here to provide members with guidance, education, and opportunities to connect, grow and succeed through collaboration.

There are two ways to join today:

Online, through the Ohio History Connection store. You may also click the title of your desired membership level below to join at that level online.
By mail, by downloading and printing the membership form.

Membership in the Ohio Local History Alliance is not only affordable – it is invaluable. The Ohio Local History Alliance has increased membership dues effective January 2024; this is the first increase since 2012. Due to the rising inflation, this increase is necessary for OHLA to continue to provide high-quality programming to Ohio’s local historical societies, history museums, archives, libraries, genealogical societies, and historic preservation groups.

Organizational Membership

Organization with operating budget under $25,000 a year: $35 ($60 for two years)
Organization with operating budget of $25,000-$100,000 a year: $75 ($140 for two years)
Organization with operating budget of $100,000-$200,000 a year: $100 ($190 for two years)
Organization with operating budget over $200,000 a year: $150 ($290 for two years)

Affiliate Membership

(for members of organizations that are OLHA members)

$45 a year ($80 for two years)

Individual Membership

(for individuals who are not affiliated with an OLHA member organization)

$65 a year ($120 for two years)
Student Individual Membership: $20 a year ($30 for two years)

Business Membership

$130 ($250 for two years)

Membership Benefits

Your Alliance membership opens the door to inspiring ideas, resources, and opportunities.

Organizational Members receive:

Six bi-monthly issues of The Local Historian, the Alliance’s e-newsletter
Discounted rate for the Alliance’s regional meetings, annual meeting, and other networking opportunities with member organizations across Ohio
Eligible for the Alliance’s Outstanding Achievement Awards
One set of Alliance member mailing labels per year (available upon request)
Access to OLHA members Facebook Group – a forum for museum management questions and networking
Link to your organization’s website on the Alliance’s website
Eligible for the Alliance’s scholarships to the annual meeting*
Free job postings on the OLHA website and free event postings

Affiliate and Individual Members receive:

Six bi-monthly issues of The Local Historian, the Alliance’s e-newsletter
Discounted rate for the Alliance’s regional meetings, annual meeting, and other networking opportunities with member organizations across Ohio
Eligible for the Alliance’s Outstanding Achievement Awards
Access to OLHA members Facebook Group – a forum for museum management questions and networking
Eligible for the Alliance’s scholarships to the annual meeting*
Free event postings on the OLHA website

Business Members receive:

Six bi-monthly issues of The Local Historian, the Alliance’s e-newsletter
Free display table at the annual meeting (with meeting registration)
One set of Alliance member mailing labels per year (available upon request.) Additional sets available at an extra charge
Access to OLHA members Facebook Group – a forum for museum management questions and networking

*Scholarships to the Alliance’s Annual Meeting

The Trella Romine Scholarship: based on need to be given each year to a qualified individual to pay for their registration and lodging at the Alliance’s annual meeting. Applicants will submit the required form specifying why he/she should attend and the circumstances of the need.
The J.D. Britton Scholarship: to be given each year to a qualified beginning professional (recent college graduate; person employed for two years of less in a museum setting; or person who has volunteered two years or less in a museum setting) to pay for their registration and lodging at the Alliance’s annual meeting. Applicants will fill out the required form stating why they are deserving of the award.