2024 Outstanding Achievement Awards
Since 1960, the Ohio Local History Alliance – in partnership with the Ohio History Connection – has led the state in recognizing excellent projects, programs, publications created by Ohio historical societies and museums, as well as recognizing individuals who have contributed greatly to the field of history.
At the 2024 Annual Meeting, OLHA presented 15 Outstanding Achievement Awards to a selection of organizations and individuals that have inspired, connected, and educated their audiences in Ohio.
Learn more about the winners and their projects from the descriptions below, and consider submitting your Outstanding Achievements for the awards in 2025!
HISTORY OUTREACH AWARDS
History Outreach Awards, which recognize outstanding projects that have educational content, that have contributed to the promotion and understanding of local and state history, and that have had an impact on the community – in other words, projects that inspired, connected, and educated their audiences to local history.
Exhibits and Displays
- Clinton County History Center: “Beyond The Scoreboard: An Exhibit Celebrating Clinton County Sports Throughout The Years” – Step into the exhilarating world of Clinton County sports in our latest exhibit, where we celebrate the vibrant history and enduring legacy of athletics in our community. From the early days of grassroots competitions to modern-day sporting triumphs, this exhibition offers a captivating journey through the heart and soul of Clinton County’s athletic culture. Through compelling exhibits and insightful storytelling, visitors of all ages will gain a deeper appreciation for the role sports have played in shaping our community’s identity, fostering camaraderie, and inspiring generations of athletes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the history of sports in Clinton County, this exhibition promises an unforgettable experience that celebrates the enduring spirit of athletic excellence and sportsmanship that defines our proud community.
- Fairfield County Heritage Association: Fairfield County History Exhibit – The Fairfield County Heritage Association proudly unveils its latest attraction, the Fairfield County History Exhibit, located on the lower level of the Georgian Museum in Lancaster, Ohio. Spanning the “Well Room” and the “Goslin Room,” this comprehensive exhibit immerses visitors in the county’s rich past, offering an experience akin to walking through a local history book. Executive Director Wendy Gregory and Marketing Director Michael Johnson designed the exhibit to align with educational standards, making it an appealing destination for school field trips. Their goal was to ensure the exhibit supports social studies curricula through engaging, hands-on learning.
- Friends of Harriet Beecher Stowe House: “Cincinnati’s Lost Founders” – Cincinnati’s vibrant jazz scene would not be complete without the unassuming Mr. Clark, an octogenarian known for his extensive knowledge of jazz and tendency to make friends wherever he goes. People who know Mr. Clark are rarely aware that he is a descendant of the famous Hemings family of Monticello. Mr. Clark’s ancestors were enslaved at Monticello; among them were important cooks and blacksmiths. One such ancestor is Peter Fossett, born into slavery, who gained his freedom and moved to Cincinnati. There, he partnered with Sarah Mayrant Walker, with whom he helped build up the Cincinnati neighborhood of Cumminsville. They established a Baptist church there and were linked to the Underground Railroad. Sarah Fossett was also involved in a court case against the local passenger car company. As a result of her suit, Black women and children were permitted to ride the streetcar in Cincinnati. Mr. Clark provided an oral history interview and facsimiles of important family documents. This exhibit explores whose stories are told, why we need to provide more inclusive history, and how we can all tell our own family stories.
- Fulton County Historical Society: “All Aboard: Fulton County’s Railroad History” – Twelve trustees, five volunteers, and the Swanton Area Model Train organization all came together under the direction of John Swearingen to create a special exhibit entitled “All Aboard” which tells the story of railroads In Fulton County. The exhibit is divided into 4 sections based on the four railroads that ran through the area: New York Central, Wabash, Detroit Toledo & Ironton and the two electric railroads (cable cars). The timeline for each railroad is filled with information, dates, and artifacts from the collection. Designed for children, a separate exhibit shows eight life-size cartoon characters (real people from the county’s past) that tell their stories of how the railroad influenced their lives.
- Lorain County Historical Society: “Lorain County 200 Years” – The Lorain County 200 Years Traveling Exhibit is a captivating celebration of the county’s rich history and vibrant present. This impressive exhibit, a collaboration among over 20 dedicated organizations within Lorain County, brings together diverse perspectives and showcases the area’s growth and cultural heritage over the past two centuries. It offers an immersive experience that not only highlights significant moments from the county’s past but also unites the community in a shared appreciation of their collective legacy. The exhibit stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, demonstrating how a unified effort can create a meaningful and impactful portrayal of local history. It is a remarkable achievement that celebrates Lorain County’s enduring spirit and the collective commitment of its people.
- Morrow County Historical Society: Military Room – The Military Display, located in the Morrow County History Center, was formerly housed in a small room in the back part of the museum. The Curating Team made the decision to move the military display closer to the front of the museum that houses the Pollock cannon display. We were able to acquire five large display cabinets from the Delaware Historical Society. A coat of fresh paint on the walls and UV window film was applied to the windows to protect items from sunlight. Each of the new cases now highlight the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War in their own cabinets. The Middle East and Afghanistan wars have their own area. All uniforms are on valets or mannequins giving them the respect they deserve.
Media & Publications
- Dover Historical Society/Reeves Museum: Jingle Jeeves – Jingle Jeeves is the third book in our children’s book series featuring our mascot Jeeves. In trying to find creative ways to reach out to new audiences, especially kids, and make local history more interesting, we came up with the idea of a children’s book. Our mascot Jeeves participates in local children’s events so it made sense to use him as the central character in our stories. The books are sold in our museum giftshop, a local bookstore, and available at our local libraries.
- Wood County Museum: Ohio’s Infirmary Buildings – Ohio’s Infirmary Buildings uses historic and documentary photography as a tool to examine the structures once used to house Ohio’s poor. The former Wood County Infirmary story, coupled with information related to the other 87 county infirmaries, serves as an example of how superintendents and matrons managed people in need before modern social services existed. As early as 1937, Ohio counties began tearing down infirmaries, leaving behind few photographic records and institutional documentation. Ohio’s Infirmary Buildings is a comprehensive work used to humanize Ohio’s poor population from 1867 until present day.
Public Programming
- Alliance Historical Society and Alliance Area Preservation Society: “East Main Street Historic District Walking Tour” – The Alliance East Main Street Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. The Alliance Historical Society and the Alliance Area Preservation Society have offered guided walking tours along East Main Street beginning in 2007, using temporary paper signs and display boards to showcase photographs of how the area used to look and briefly explain the significance of the buildings. Once the event was completed, the signs came down and the significance was lost until the next walk was scheduled. A grant from the Greater Alliance Foundation allowed permanent signposts to be installed along the path. Each signpost includes a stop number, name of the stop, and a QR code. When the QR code is scanned, the user is directed to the Clio website or app for historic narrative (audio and written), photographs, and maps of the building or lot. Clio has been used successfully by the Alliance Historical Society for two previous self-guided walking tours.
- The Auglaize County 175th Anniversary Committee: Auglaize County 175th Anniversary Celebration – Auglaize County celebrated its 175th Anniversary in 2023 with a year’s worth of events and programs designed to include as many people, organizations, institutions, and communities as possible in the celebration. The project involved the ongoing, multi-year collaboration of the county and village historical societies as well as many other entities. It demanded that people travel—historically speaking—beyond their individual hometowns to celebrate the unique and remarkable history of Auglaize County as a whole.
- Lorain Historical Society: Centennial Commemoration of the Lorain Tornado – The Lorain Historical Society collaborated on a collaborative project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lorain Tornado. One significant outcome of the programming is the fostering and rebuilding of connections within the community. About 175 people attended the Tornado Memorial Ceremony on June 28, 2024, at Lakeview Park. Attendees immediately began conversing, swapping family tornado stories, and sharing the names of family members they never got to meet, all while standing in the very spot where the tornado first touched down in Lorain. The Tornado Committee was intentional in ensuring that the legacy of Lorain’s resilience and strength was the focus of the centennial commemoration. The event not only honored the memory of those lost but also highlighted the community’s ability to rebuild and learn from past hardships. The lessons of resilience and community spirit drawn from the tornado’s aftermath continue to inspire and guide Lorain’s residents today.
- Mahoning Valley Historical Society: Suitcase Programs – Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Suitcase Programs are hands-on classroom experiences presented by MVHS education staff in local schools. These programs bring artifacts, historic images, maps, letters, business documents, games, clothing, and other materials into the classrooms for students to study and explore. These programs are highly sought after by local teachers and schools, many noting that they plan their annual lesson plans around these immersive and primary source based activities. MVHS works with more than 40 local public, private, and parochial schools annually. These schools cover a wide range of settings including inner-city, suburban, and rural communities with diverse students. Each program is aligned to Ohio’s Social Studies standards with programs available and adaptable for every grade level.
- Shelby County Historical Society: “Happy Birthday Big 4 Bridge!” – For the last 100 years, the Big Four Bridge has stood as a gateway to the Miami Valley and has become an iconic symbol for Sidney. On October 5, 2023 the Shelby County Historical Society celebrated the Big Four Bridge’s 100th Anniversary. Constructed in the early 1920s, the Big Four Railroad Bridge has served its purpose of allowing trains safe passage through Sidney for nearly 100 years. Work began on the bridge in 1922 after a decision was made to reroute the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis line through the south end of the city to avoid any more tragic fatalities downtown. Ultimately, the aftermath of the 1913 flood affected the previous railroad bridge over the Great Miami River combined with multiple accidents involving trains and pedestrians as well as automobiles were the catalyst for a more practical railway route. Saturday, October 18, 1924, heralded the first freight train to cross the new bridge over the Great Miami River.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Individual Achievement Awards recognize people who have made outstanding contributions to Ohio’s historical societies or history museums or to the understanding and appreciation of state or local history.
- Susan Logan – Susan Logan is at the center of the Delaware County Historical Society. She transformed it into a dynamo of digital information now available across the globe. She benefits us all by applying her professional expertise to volunteerism after retiring from the Ohio State University Library. She is the force behind digitization at the Historical Society. She implemented PastPerfect and managed the cataloging of thousands of entries. In addition, she shares her expertise with other Historical Societies. With OHC support, she has championed digitizing local newspapers for online access to this rich source of local history through OHC’s on-line library. A librarian by education, her love of research scratches that itch of inquisitiveness that is so vital to any historian. She encourages the exploration of local history by volunteers and the general public. Her ongoing interest in technical tools is a unique blend of the old with the new, with history at the center. Currently, she is engaged in two initiatives – a countywide barn survey, and developing mobile tours using Clio History Software. Through her inquisitiveness, and deliberate efforts to share history, Susan embodies our Vision to build a community the values its past, as it plans its future.
- David M. (Mitch) Taylor – Every detail, every person, every event … these bits of information are just the tip of the iceberg that Mr. David Mitch Taylor knows related to Putnam, the Underground Railroad, Zanesville, and Muskingum County. Dedicated to Muskingum County History, also known as the Pioneer & Historical Society of Muskingum County, Mitch has been connected with the organization for well over 50 years. He has served as Vice President, President, Curator, and Interim Executive Director. The role in which he has served the longest is Curator, but that title doesn’t encompass enough of a description of Mitch’s role within the community. He is often sought as guest speaker, tour leader, author, and storyteller. He knows that the best way to preserve our history is to share it, to tell young students, and to write about it – he lives that every day.