The Freedom Township Historical Society will host local historian and author Julie Thompson at 7 pm July 9 at the Freedom Community Center, 8940 S.R. 700. She will speak about her new book The Hunt for the Last Public Enemy in Northeastern Ohio: Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis on His Road to Alcatraz, which details the life and crimes of the famous gangster who pulled off the Great Garrettsville Train Robbery. Karpis later became the longest serving inmate in the infamous San Francisco prison, Alcatraz. Mrs. Thompson will also be signing copies of her book, which can be purchased that night or in advance at The Village Bookstore in Garrettsville. The books can also be purchased online by following the links on the society’s website, https://www.freedomtwphistoricalsociety-pc.com.
The event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be provided. Also on July 9, we will be accepting donations for our one-room schoolhouse renovation. All the monies raised will be put to good use by our volunteers to make the former schoolhouse and church on S.R. 303 into a museum and community meeting place. If you need a ride, call Judy Thornton at (330) 527-7669.
A nationally known expert on river history, steamboats, and canals will be our guest speaker in August. West Chester resident Danny Back will give a PowerPoint presentation on Ohio’s Canal Era: 1832-1913. The presentation includes many rare and unique scenes and draws on Mr. Back’s extensive knowledge of river history. Mr. Back’s many accomplishments include presenting programs aboard the Delta Queen and other historic steamboats, appearing in the PBS documentary “Take the River,” and consulting with several museums and historical societies. FYI: We are looking for a larger venue to host Mr. Back, so stay tuned for more details.
Plans for the second annual Freedom Fall Festival on Sept. 28 are underway. FTHS is working with the Freedom Community Park Boosters and members of the First Congregational Church of Freedom for this year’s event. Once again there will be a craft show, a Civil War camp and cooking demonstration, and tours of the one-room schoolhouse. We’re adding a bunch of new attractions like a K-9 demonstration, cloggers, and an appearance by an Elvis impersonator. Also, a cow-chip bingo contest is in the works (there will be more details on that in future columns).
Congratulations to FTHS member and Garrettsville resident Jeannette Wilson Marvin-Hall. Mrs. Hall celebrated her 90th birthday on May 24th and also recently welcomed a new great-grandchild.
Also happy birthday to FTHS members and Freedom residents Barbara Grafton and Kathleen Hammar who celebrated birthdays on June 13. Mrs. Grafton (photo) had a birthday party at the Ravenna 1st Church of the Nazarene attended by family, friends, members of the Nazarene bandage rolling group and FTHS officers Amanda Garrett, Claudia Garrett and Judy Thornton.
