The James A. Garfield Historical Society met on February 20, 2023 in the historic Mott Building on Main Street, with two visitors and one donation (from one of the visitors).
The organization is still seeking an individual to serve as a paid intern during the summer, to assist with tech and communication matters; so far, there has been no Hiram College response and the position is open to other students and interested persons with a historical bent. Despite not receiving a grant which was applied for, the JAGHS plans to have work done on the basement of the Mott Building, as well as furnace and air conditioning issues in the Mott Building and the Bonnet Shoppe, where research materials are kept. Expenses will be covered by local funds. The sign on the Bonnet Shoppe still needs refurbishment. The annual third grade tour has yet to be finalized but should be coming up soon, as is the submission of the annual budget. JAGHS will be open on St. Patrick’s Day from four p.m.until eight p.m.; Irish viands will be available on a potluck basis. The possibility of having another Oral History Day was raised, apparently to approval. Topics of volunteers, interest, and theme were raised–more to come.
The time capsule located next to the clock tower is due to be opened in 2024. What to do? What to do? This is also a Christmas Walk year. Busy! Busy Will there be a new capsule? Much to think about and plan for.
Visitor Matt Manno made a donation of a 1936 Speedometer, yearbook for what was then the Portage County school system (All of the townships had their own schools; the county had the superintendent of the whole shebang.)
The other visitor was Lynn Harvey of the Mantua Historical Society, who outlined the scenario for disrupting the Ohio Department of Transportation plans for creating a roundabout at Mantua Center to mitigate the conditions causing this spot to be one of the most dangerous intersections in Portage County. Meetings and discussions focused on the historical structures found here. Input from Naylor-Wellman, a historical preservation firm, the State Historic Preservation Center and local officials all contributed to the expansion of the registered historic district–lots of research, lots of communication–which has–so far–removed the location from consideration for the roundabout. Question of what to do about the traffic situation is still hanging fire.
Stay tuned.
