The Great Reveal of the 100-year-old time capsule is only three weeks away and the members of the James A. Garfield Historical Society in Garrettsville are working hard on the days’ events.
Come join us as we kick off the celebration of the last 100 years with a free history walk July 6th from 9-11 am. Four stations will give walkers an inside view of life through the decades in Garrettsville. Walkers can visit the stations in any order.
Station One at the Historical Society’s Mott Building, 8107 Main Street, will celebrate business owners from the 1960’s era. You will meet Gene Smith, portrayed by his grandson Cory Smith. Gene was the owner of Garrettsville Paint and Glass, formerly located in the Mott building. Alongside Gene will be Violet Zipfel Curtiss, portrayed by Debra Blake. Violet was the owner of the local five and dime store for many years.
Station Two in front of MB Realty on Main Street is where Art Crane, portrayed by John Crawford, will sweeten you up with stories of his maple syrup candy-making days. Mae Payne, portrayed by Debbie Smith, will provide an insight into the Study Club, the civic group that initiated the time capsule in 1924.
Station Three will be a rare public viewing of the Masonic Lodge. Celebrating their 170th anniversary, the Masons will host James A. and Lucretia Garfield – a special portrayal by the great, great, great grandson of James A. Garfield, Tim Garfield, and Tim’s wife, Martha.
Station four at the War Memorial in front of the Baptist Cemetery will have Pam Montgomery portraying Corabelle Trefry, one of Garrettsville’s WWII Gold Star mothers. And Owen Bass will be there re-enacting the life of Revolutionary War soldier, Ashbel Hoskins.
After the history walk, head to High Street where we will be entertained by Karen Kelker Miller, Herman Pitsinger, and Pat Amor playing music from the decades since 1924.
The opening of the time capsule event will begin at noon with an introduction by Tim Smith and Denise Ellerhorst, Co-Chairs of the Time Capsule Committee.
In 1924, the song “My Garrettsville” was sung at the installation of the time capsule. We plan on re-enacting that event with Garrettsville’s own, Michelle McDowell and Mistie Obreza singing, accompanied by Pat Amor
Then the time capsule, intact and ready for the reveal, will be opened. What will the time capsule contain? We know the community is just as excited as we are to see what was stored away 100 years ago!
The Great Gathering of the Beards contest will take place at 1:15. Local barber, Brian Morgan, and his crew will award the winners of each category. Be sure to sign up ahead of time for this fun contest.
More music, video of oral histories, plus special historical artifacts and antique vehicle displays will be available throughout the day. The contents of the time capsule will be viewable in a secure glass case in the Mott building.
“I was there” T-shirts will be sold, and our new book “Time Capsule Opening – Unveiling Our Roots…and Providing a Glimpse of the Present for the Eyes of the Future” will also be available for sale.
Mark your calendars for this once in a lifetime event! July 6th from 9 am – 4 pm.
For more information contact the Historical Society at 330-389-1859 or email garrettsvillehistory@gmail.com.
Unveiling Our Roots is funded in part by the Hiram Community Trust.
Unveiling Our Roots is also funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the America 250-Ohio Commission.
