Living in a historic town means that there are fascinating stories about our shared past embedded on every street corner. But you need someplace to gather to hear those stories. Appropriately, Garrettsville Tap Talks are hosted in Main Street’s oldest structure, the 1804-era Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Company. This series of local history presentations was launched in early 2026 and will return in September, following a summer break.
The brainchild of longtime Garrettsville resident and James A. Garfield Historical Society member Barb Walker, Garrettsville Tap Talks welcome the public to lively presentations about times gone by. On September 22, renowned local woodcarver Joe Leonard will share stories about his world-famous carousel creations in an interview with local journalist Marie Elium.
Garrettsville Tap Talks start at 6 p.m. monthly on Tuesdays (except in December and summer months). Reservations are required for these free presentations since space is limited to about 65 people in the Mill’s party room. Come early to enjoy drinks, appetizers or a meal beforehand.
Barb and her husband Jim have been attending similarly themed Tap Talks at the North Water Brewing Company in Kent, which are held monthly in cooperation with the Kent Historical Society.
Last winter, Barb began thinking… “Garrettsville has a brewery and an active historical society. I wonder if we could give it a go? I reached out to Shelli and Brian Buchanan, owners of Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Company, last February, suggesting the idea, and they were in!”
Barb also contacted Patrick O’Connor and Doug Fuller, organizers of the Kent Tap Talks. They were very supportive of Barb’s spinoff concept for Garrettsville, as long as care was taken to avoid confusion in advertising and promotions.
“Garrettsville Tap Talks provide a great way to bring people in the community together while supporting a local business and learning more about the place we call home,” Barb says.
“I really appreciate the J.A. Garfield Historical Society and Garrett’s Mill and Brewing Company for joining me in this venture and being willing to try something new. I hope it gives people a fun, relaxed way to connect and encourages some new faces to come out and learn more about our local history.”
Shelli adds, “Garrettsville Tap Talks are a great addition for this historic town. We appreciate hosting them in our historic mill that was converted to a full-scale restaurant that also brews award-winning craft beers. Our dining room is a great gathering spot that overlooks the falls.”
Garrettsville Tap Talks were launched in April 2026, featuring Tim Garfield, great-great-grandson of President James A. Garfield. He spoke about The Garfield Trail. Also part of the evening was Debbie Weinkamer, who depicts Lucretia Garfield.
“This initial event filled up quickly and was a hit!” Barb recalls. “Our second event was another quick sellout.”
In May, Marie Elium interviewed Red Zahurak, Jinx Phile and Joanne Schinman, who shared stories about their experiences growing up at the Nelson Ledges Amusement Park.
The final spring event in June featured Karen Kelker-Miller and Matt Manno, who shared their family farm’s transition from maple sugar bush to Sugarbush Golf Course at its iconic location north of town.
Barb is now busy scheduling the upcoming Garrettsville Tap Talks calendar.
Since she volunteers at Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery, Barb is excited to announce “our slightly spooky event, appropriately on October the 13th. Docent Diana Kresnye will be speaking about Tales at Twilight: Tombstone Stories & Cemetery Symbols of the Western Reserve.”
Barb is still exploring topics and presenters for upcoming Tap Talks in November 2026, and January and February 2027.
March is Women’s History Month, so Tracy Purdy-Macek and her cousin Melissa Knight will be speaking about their grandmother, a banker in Windham who secured loans for women at a time when that was uncommon. They will discuss other stories from the Windham area, as well.
Then Debbie Weinkamer will return on April 20, a day after Lucretia Garfield’s birthday, with a Civil War Life on the Homefront presentation.
Barb says her interest in local history kind of snuck up on her over time. “It’s funny. We have lived in the J.A. Garfield School District for 50 years and I never knew the story of our 20th President! It was really just in the past two years that I began to appreciate our local history, and especially the life story of President James A. Garfield.
“I have always loved spending time at Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery and I began volunteering as a greeter at the James A. Garfield Monument in 2024. That experience became a turning point for me, meeting visitors, sharing Garfield’s story, and learning more about his life and connection to our community. I love listening to the guides talk for hours about the history of the cemetery, and I love learning about the history of the Hiram and Garrettsville areas. Meeting Tim Garfield and having him agree to speak at our inaugural Garrettsville Tap Talk has been a real highlight.”
The Historical Society would love to hear suggestions for future Tap Talks. Barb adds, “If you enjoy loud and clear public speaking and would like to participate in presenting a talk or interview, please reach out to us at bluebwalker@gmail.com.”
And remember to call the Mill at 330-527-8080 to make your reservation for the September 22 Garrettsville Tap Talk featuring Joe Leonard.
