Mantua Twp. – One idyllic day late last week several events took place outdoors on the historic Mantua Center green as well as inside the Township Hall and Civic Center, historic area and structures created by settlers between 1835 and 1850.
Inside the Civic Center, Cincinnati-based artist and author Robert Kroeger returned to Mantua to conduct a painting demo, share some stories of the historic barns he’s visited and the many generations of people who have worked to preserve them. His visit coincided with an event held at Mantua Township’s Historic District. Kroeger paints historic barns using an impasto palette knife technique; something he began pursuing after retirement from a career in dentistry. He took on the goal of painting at least one barn from each of Ohio’s 88 counties. In 2020, the resulting barn paintings and essays have been compiled in his book titled, “Historic Barns of Ohio” (History Press/Acadia Publishing).
That day, Kroeger conducted a painting demo using a photo provided by local barn scout Heather Paisley, Kroeger shared highlights from some of the stories he’s uncovered. His book was released in 2020 and was available for sale at the event. Kroeger’s next book, a collection of paintings and essays featuring round barns that will be released this fall, was also available for pre-order. For more information on Kroeger and his projects, visit barnart.weebly.com. Books and merchandise can be purchased locally at the Villager Emporium in Garrettsville.
Local vendors lined the Civic Center, including 99-year-old Virginia Goodell, matriarch of the multigeneration family farm. Their maple products, as well as homemade soups and baked goods, courtesy of the Mantua Restoration Society, were a few of the items available for sale. Representatives from the Shalersville and Freedom Historical Societies participated in the event too. This featured a silent auction, an auction of several of Kroeger’s paintings and was a fundraising effort to benefit these local groups.
Outside on the green, history aficionados and Civil War reenactors Nick and Linda Ehlert were on hand in period-appropriate garb to share their knowledge of the Irish Brigade and the US war that began in 1861. At Eastlawn Cemetery, visitors viewed the graves of locals who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and War of 1812. According to Lynne Harvey, the grave of Melissa Reed is the oldest gravestone, dating to 1812 or 15; weather has obscured the inscription on the limestone marker.
The Mantua Center Christian Church was open for tours that day, as well. It’s the oldest Disciples of Christ congregation in Ohio and the fourth oldest in the entire denomination. While services began in the nearby schoolhouse in 1827, the present building was erected in 1840, and has been in continuous use since then. In fact, James A. Garfield preached to congregants on several occasions at Mantua Center in the 1850’s.
Next door at the Township Hall, guests were treated to the music of Moonshadow (featuring Skip Schweitzer, Sarah Harvey, and Cal Craig). The musicians performed on the first floor, thanks to a stipend provided by the Ohio History Connection Open Door program. On the second floor, visitors had the opportunity to tour the Historical Society Museum. The museum houses collections of photographs, documents, clothing, and objects of significance from Mantua Township, Mantua Village, and the Crestwood School District.
The Historical Society received a generous grant last spring from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board, which provided archival storage boxes and supplies to help protect and preserve these items for future generations. The next step is to digitize materials to make the collection more readily accessible to researchers and the community. Donations of local items as well as financial contributions are always welcome. Contact mantuahistorical@gmail.com to find out more.
