Posted November 26, 200717 yr Ohio Historical Society wants to unload 20 sites because of high cost of maintenance Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 3:42 AM By Suzanne Hoholik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The brick wall that lines the backyard of the Our House Museum in Gallipolis is falling down, and repairing it will cost $37,000. The three-story brick tavern also needs a new furnace and air conditioning to preserve artifacts inside. The volunteers who support the house say they can't afford these big-ticket items.
November 26, 200717 yr ^I wish I had more to say than, "this is a shame", but I don't. This is a shame.
November 26, 200717 yr The OHS has been crushed by the budget cuts of the last ten years. What was once one of the strongest local and state historical societies in the country is now a mere shadow of its former self. The archives in Columbus had their hours slashed among other things. Cincy never got much attention from them but they certainly kept their eyes on the Cincy Historical Society when it was swallowed up by the Museum Center.
November 26, 200717 yr What a shame. A historical society should not suffer budget cuts. Its a key peice in perserving culture and history. The historical society shouldn't have to pay or take care of ever historic property in the state. Why don't locals try and preserve their history? Why don't people take care of historic properties? Peoples lack of care for the culture and history of their community will be the death of us.
November 26, 200717 yr Out of curiosity, why is the Shaker Historical Museum the only property receiving state historical society funding in Cuyahoga County? It looks like they operate a number of properties in Columbus and Cincy (none of which look to be on their list of properties under consideration for "unloading") similar in nature to Cleveland's Dunham Tavern, Police Museum, Sailors' and Soldiers' Monument, U.S.S. Cod, Mather Museum, Women's International Air & Space Museum, Lakeview Cemetery, etc., etc. Not suggesting that they should be taking on additional properties, particularly given their current financial burdens, but are there conditions in Cleveland that are different from other major Ohio cities? Are historical sites in Cuyahoga County generally more of a local interest than in the other 2 Cs? Why are these typically already cared for by local nonprofits if similar properties aren't in other urban places? It seems like both Cincy and Columbus have a reasonable arts and culture infrastructure to be maintaining such historic sites on their own if Cleveland is doing so.
November 27, 200717 yr The OHS has been crushed by the budget cuts of the last ten years. What was once one of the strongest local and state historical societies in the country is now a mere shadow of its former self. The archives in Columbus had their hours slashed among other things. Cincy never got much attention from them but they certainly kept their eyes on the Cincy Historical Society when it was swallowed up by the Museum Center. Would we be right in blaming the Taft/Householder administration for this decline, Professor?
November 27, 200717 yr Mostly, though I recall people getting nervous already in the Voinovich era. I seem to remember that gutting of the OHS as among the last straws with that crowd along with their plan to decimate the library funding system in Ohio, which they carried to some degree as well.
November 27, 200717 yr This is sad, but it is also true that Cincinnati/Hamilton County were largely ignored by this organization. All in all, an unfortunate set of events.
November 27, 200717 yr I can't say as a historian that either location has been tended well. The Stowe House has supposedly gotten better in recent years, but they have rarely been able to do much with what could an excellent bit of local history. The Harrison Tomb has a great location but that's about it. A fun discussion to have some day would be about what sort of investment should we make in historical societies and places and what are the cultures that surround many historical societies and their physical spaces? It would actually be nice to see some more of Cincy's neighborhoods reactivate their local historical societies. Many had them when the memory of the founding of the area or annexation was still fresh, but most have disappeared over the last twenty years. There are plenty of historians floating around who for a couple hundred bucks could do some interesting work with the documents held onto by community councils, library branches, and individuals. Sadly, Cincinnati has all but abandoned having a serious city government archive. Another tangent, when the Post folds someone around the city needs to get a hold of their morgue (clippings files). It would be a fantastic resource.
November 28, 200717 yr ^Hey, what exactly happened to the Cincinnati Historical Society? I remember talking to Dan Hurley about it nearly two years ago, and he said that in effect it merged with the other independent museums to form the Cincinnati Museum Center. But I can't really figure out what it exists to do other than operate that library they have there. I don't think they even publish that magazine that they once did. It's a shame that kids aren't more involved in local history some way through there schools. I realize that there isn't a great demand for that sort of thing, but there's always a small contingent of blossoming history buffs/nerds at any school who will eventually turn into the people who will use this forum. It seems like this impulse could be captured earlier with a little bit of effort instead of, for example my experience, where I was re-shelving books in my college library and came across John Clubbe's Cincinnati Observed and decided to read that instead of finishing the job of shelving.
November 28, 200717 yr They still publish Ohio Valley History, jointly produced with the Filson Historical Society of Louisville. They are undertaking a big project of digitization to make their materials more easily available.
November 28, 200717 yr Well, the grunt work for the OVH is carried out mostly by UC's history department and the Filson. I should be working a review for them. Stupid UO. The CHS does put on the Seminar on the City which is pretty cool. They have long been mostly the library which is a decent resource but could be better. The museum part is rather stale.
November 29, 200717 yr Is the Filson Club still around? I recall they wanted me to be a member back when I lived in Kentucky and was a member of the KHS. From what I recall the historic sites in Kentucky were operated by the state park system, so there was a funding stream coming in from the state budget? They were called "State Shrines" or "State Historic Shrines" vs "State Parks". I'm not sure what the relationship with the KHS was, though. Locally, here in Dayton, we had a smiliar thing with our historic society as what happened in Cincy. There used to be Carillon Park, which was an open-air museum, and the Montgomery County Historical Society. The MCHS used to be pretty strong, even putting up their own historic markers, but apparently faded. MCHS and Carillon Park mergerd and was renamed Dayton History, but it seems that it wasnt so much a merger as Carillon Park taking over MCHS.
November 29, 200717 yr Yeah and it has a wonderful archive from what I've heard. KHS has a great museum in Frankfort FWIW.
November 30, 200717 yr They still publish Ohio Valley History, jointly produced with the Filson Historical Society of Louisville. Is the Filson Club still around? I recall they wanted me to be a member back when I lived in Kentucky and was a member of the KHS. The boys and girls at the Filson Historical Society seem to have their act together, particularly compared with Cincinnati: http://www.filsonhistorical.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Filson_Historical_Society
March 13, 200817 yr Raising money for historical societies is tough (says this former historical society curator and current development officer) ... they need money to maintain their collections, their usually historic buildings, and have staff to provide public service. It's expensive. And raising money from external sources is difficult, especially now with so many other nonprofits, schools and hospitals also seeking external funding. Competition is extremely fierce, and most foundations and corporations do not give grants or awards for continuing operations, but for new programs and initiatives ... and a lot of historical societies just don't have the staff to carry out those new initiatives or programs. There's always individual philanthropy, but a lot of the old money folks who were interested in preserving their local history have passed from the scene, and their children or grandchildren now control the money, and have different priorities in public giving (if they give at all ... I've encountered some second and third generations that felt entitled to the money, and felt zero obligation for philanthropy, no matter what their parents or grandparents did). It's really not an easy situation. There's hardly any government money for anything like this, so most of these organizations are pretty desperate for cash. Ohio Historical Society is not alone; I'd estimate that a good many if not most of the local historical organizations in Ohio are perpetually strapped for cash, and even some of the big historical societies elsewhere in the country are hurting now.
April 12, 200817 yr Ohio Historical Society cuts hours, employees in budget shortfall Friday, April 11, 2008 4:30 PM By Mark Niquette THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Ohio Historical Society is laying off 26 workers, reducing the number of days its Historical Center in Columbus is open from six days to four and cutting hours at other sites statewide to deal with a $2 million budget shortfall. http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/11/historicuts.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
April 12, 200817 yr Yeah, especially for a history buff. I was fortunate to see Ohio Village before they closed it, and was pretty much impressed with that historical musuem in Cols. You know, I have been meaning to go there to do some research as that might be the only place with readable micorfilm of certain runs of 19th century Dayton newspapers.
October 29, 200816 yr Historical Society plans weeklong shutdown in spring Wednesday, October 29, 2008 9:36 AM By Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The financially strapped Ohio Historical Society will close all museums and historical sites and furlough employees for a week in the spring to cope with the latest in a series of increasingly painful budget cuts. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/29/historical_cuts.html?sid=101
October 29, 200816 yr I suppose this is why, on my last three trips to OHS locations, I found downed trees and branches littering the ground, garbage overflowing in the cans, facilities that haven't been maintained in a long time...
October 30, 200816 yr Ohio Historical Society withering All sites to close for a week in '09 as part of ongoing budget cuts Thursday, October 30, 2008 3:35 AM By Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Ohio's history is slowly slipping away as state funding dwindles for the Ohio Historical Society. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/30/HISTORICAL_CUTS.ART_ART_10-30-08_B1_HEBO9BB.html?sid=101
October 30, 200816 yr There has to be a way to spin this off and get some sort of funding base instituted. If the state won't support it, then they should set it free. I wonder if OSU would take it.
November 3, 200816 yr Got this via e-mail from a friend who works for the Ohio Historical Society: Invest in Our History for Ohio's Future As you may already know, the Ohio Historical Society is faced with more budget shortfalls, thanks in large part to state budget cutbacks and the downturn in the economy. There is little doubt that 2009 is likely to have more fiscal tricks than financial treats in store for the Society. But don’t be too spooked. Instead, help send a clear message to your elected representatives today that the time has come to recognize Ohio’s history as one of our state’s greatest strengths worthy of increased public investment. The Ohio Historical Society helps people connect with Ohio’s past in order to understand the present and create a better future. Click here to see how you can help. http://capwiz.com/ohiohistory/home Thank you.
November 4, 200816 yr Wow this is all very sad! I guess my hopes of getting a job with the OHS wont be happening anytime soon. :oops:
March 6, 200916 yr Historical society says sites might close Proposed $1.2 million budget cut is to blame, director says Friday, March 6, 2009 - 3:10 AM By Alan Johnson, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Historical sites dedicated to the first man to walk on the moon, the first nationally known black poet and America's 29th president might have to close if the Ohio Historical Society's budget is cut further, state legislators were told yesterday. http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/06/copy/HURTING_HISTORY.ART_ART_03-06-09_B3_1SD4SO8.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
March 6, 200916 yr Historical society says sites might close Proposed $1.2 million budget cut is to blame, director says These state sites might be closed to the public because of a lack of funding starting July 1:
March 6, 200916 yr I want them to develop some sort of money-making historical site that could support everything - sort of Ohio's Colonial Williamsburg, but unfortunately, Colonial Williamsburg is barely keeping its head above water. They need to role out a license plate for Ohio History (if they don't already have one).
March 6, 200916 yr ^They have a license plate like that in Georgia and it generates minimal money. Enough to throw around a couple small grants each year to qualified projects. Certainly not enough to be what you're saying, but it is something to consider.
March 6, 200916 yr It wouldn't save anything, but it would be a helpful boost in terms of visibility.
March 17, 200916 yr Ohio Historical Society to lay off 25, trim hours at many sites Monday, March 16, 2009 - 3:54 PM By Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch The Ohio Historical Society will lay off 25 employees and reduce hours at 13 historic sites to cope with state budget cuts. http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/16/historical_cuts.html?sid=101
March 31, 200916 yr I really do hate posting the continuing bad news about the Ohio Historical Society, but... MAINTENANCE BACKLOG Budget cuts leave state's historic sites to crumble Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 3:46 AM By Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH ZOAR, Ohio -- As she walks the slanting floors of what once was the splendor of the 146-year-old Bimeler Museum, Vicki Space barely holds back the tears. http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/29/FADING_HISTORY.ART_ART_03-29-09_A1_QGDCRGF.html?sid=101
March 31, 200916 yr Society seeks help keeping Ohio history alive Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:41 AM By STEVE STEPHENS, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Although this week doesn't mark the end of history, it does mark a sad episode in the way Ohioans honor their past. Steve Stephens is the Dispatch travel writer. He can be reached at 614-461-5201 or by e-mail at [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/travel/stories/2009/03/29/STEP29.ART_ART_03-29-09_F1_L5DB1S3.html?sid=101
March 31, 200916 yr It is all seriously depressing. I'm just not sure what the way forward is. Ohio's history doesn't fit in with 'cool' history that draws national attention. A lot of history doesn't connect with the populations that currently dominate the state - much of it is related to the original settler populations of Mid-Atlantic and New England Protestants. The Native American history is fascinating but still shrouded in myth and older interpretations.
March 31, 200916 yr It is all seriously depressing. I'm just not sure what the way forward is. Ohio's history doesn't fit in with 'cool' history that draws national attention. A lot of history doesn't connect with the populations that currently dominate the state - much of it is related to the original settler populations of Mid-Atlantic and New England Protestants. The Native American history is fascinating but still shrouded in myth and older interpretations. I disagree, I think Ohio history is extremely interesting and I blame the government for not sufficiently promoting it. Ohio's native history may be shrouded in myth somewhat, but it's a great story that nobody knows. And I'm not even talking about the pre-historic civilization here, which many people are wholly unaware of. We as a state don't do a good enough job claiming our own major characters, like Tecumseh. And I would imagine those original settler populations still dominate most of the land area and/or counties in Ohio. Their story is a decent one, as are the stories of subsequent European immigrants, and those from other places. Ohio should have more pride in its history... it isn't the stories but the promotion of them that is uncool.
April 1, 200916 yr I'm not saying that there aren't interesting bits of Ohio history or that some people don't find it interesting. We lack interesting spots in the areas that garner the most interest - Civil War, Revolutionary War, World War II (no ships - though Wright-Pats base museum is interesting.) Professional historians also don't give the history of the state its due.
April 1, 200916 yr You're right, those wars tend to garner more interest. But our war history is substantial and underutilized: Fallen Timbers, the misadvaentures of Arthur St. Clair, Battle of Lake Erie, wipeout of the Erie tribe, Ohio City vs. Cleveland, mafia madness, labor/management violence, Gnadenhutten massacre, "who mourns for Logan?" and so on. Maybe we need to sex up the presentation a little, and focus on stories of conflict like these.
April 1, 200916 yr Places Ive toured: Adena Mansion & Gardens, Chillicothe • Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta • Campus Martius Museum and Ohio River Museum, Marietta • Dunbar House, Dayton • Flint Ridge, near Brownsville • Fort Ancient, near Oregonia • Fort Hill, near Hillsboro (there is a great hiking trail on the hill, with views thru the trees of the Midwest plains, which start here) • Fort Laurens, New Philadelphia • Fort Meigs, Perrysburg • Harding Home, Marion • National Road/Zane Grey Museum, near Norwich • Newark Earthworks, Newark and Heath • Piqua Historical Area, Piqua (this has the restored canal boat ride on the Miami & Ohio Canal) • Serpent Mound, near Peebles (world famous) • Wahkeena, near Lancaster • Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor, Youngstown Something you dont see too much: a museum on a locl industry and its working class. In Dayton, the local historical society celebrates the industrialists but ignore the workers • Zoar Village, Zoar
April 1, 200916 yr I should say I only drove through Zoar, but just on a windshield tour it was impeccable. But it's so far.
April 20, 200916 yr How is it that Ohio is this far in the can in terms of preserving its historical sites? Other states, such as Kentucky and West Virginia, have historical sites and state parks that are near 90% self-sufficient, yet Ohio seems to bleed cash out for centers that attract too few guests. This is a tragedy, to have budgets cut for seven years, piled on with a 20% reduction. Good job, Ohio. Ft. Ancient museum, programs at risk By Chau Nguyen, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 19, 2009 The earthworks at Fort Ancient were built more than 2,000 years ago. But the public might be running out of time to fully appreciate them.
April 20, 200916 yr My sense is that Ohio has never really had good leadership in the history area. There seems to be an aversion to monetizing these sights. Ohio also seems incapable of effectively marketing itself for the kind of tourism that history sites rely on. Like gambling, Ohioans seem to need to leave the state to experience history - Michigan gets us too.
April 20, 200916 yr The reason Ohio history, particularly as it applies to Native American history is not popular is because it is wrong. If the true history was told (or at least if the debate were presented) the story would be more fascinating than the best Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. Fort Ancient built by Indians with deer shoulder blades? Come on! How about Phoenician or Mauritanian military engineers fleeing from Roman oppression. Squaw Rock carved in the 1800's? How about carved 4000 years ago by copper miners traveling up the Black River when the water tables were different and Niagara Falls could be circumvented? Is the snake (sun) swallowing the egg (Venus) serpent mound theme the remnant of an ancient post ice age world wide sun worshiping cult? The local tribes said they had no idea who built it when the first white settlers arrived. Why are there other identical mounds/art work found in prehistoric Europe? Were these people wiped out by a mass migration of Asians during a climatic minimum in 1200 AD? Before you conclude that I am crazy think about Kennewick Man or read Barry Fell's "America B.C." or Ancient American magazine and you will see how amazing Ohio (and other midwest) history might be. If we at least presented the debate at our historical sites, you wouldn't be able to keep the 10 old boys away with a stick. Go to the Amour Court in the Cleveland Art museum on a Saturday to see what I mean.
April 20, 200916 yr I wouldn't say you are crazy, but it is clear that the history of this area pre-modern Native American is deeply shrouded in the mists of time. The Native Americans we are most familiar with had minimal effect on the land, because they were only here for about a century+ before they were run off. They were the survivors of the Great Die-Off after contact.
April 20, 200916 yr This blog article was posted on a different UO thread. But it might answer Sherman's question about "How is it that Ohio is this far in the can in terms of preserving its historical sites?" It appears that you can thank your wonderful old state pols for this historical mess. And the blog names some of them... From here: http://www.progressohio.org/page/community/post/brianrothenberg/C2Zg/ <b>Shadows On High: A Tale Of Two Histories</b> By Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director - Mar 20th, 2009 It was first noticeable during the renovation of the Statehouse. The budget for Ohio’s history made a subtle shift from towns and villages, from period recreations like Ohio Village and from the Ohio Historical Society on the state fairgrounds, downtown to Broad and High. Over $100 million dollars later and Senate titan Dick Finan had his masterpiece – one he continues to reign over in his retirement at the most exclusive Board in town – the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB.) As usual in Ohio, where power resides money resides, and slowly Ohio’s Statehouse history display began to dwarf all others. CSRAB’s board is required to have a retired Senate President, an ex-Speaker of the House and the Governor’s Chief of Staff – and not just in name or proxy – they actually sit on the Board itself. Sen. Finan deserves credit for restoring a building long neglected. However, there is the unintended effect of Ohio’s waning commitment to its heritage of history beyond Broad and High. A decade later, the museum we all marveled at in the 1990s is already being modernized: kickballers have nearly been kicked off the Statehouse lawn; you need a permit for just about anything CSRAB wants to hassle you about; and weddings are now allowed – with of course a State Legislator’s daughter being the first in over a century. <A href="http://www.progressohio.org/page/community/post/brianrothenberg/C2Zg/">READ MORE</a>
April 20, 200916 yr The reason Ohio history, particularly as it applies to Native American history is not popular is because it is wrong. If the true history was told (or at least if the debate were presented) the story would be more fascinating than the best Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. Fort Ancient built by Indians with deer shoulder blades? Come on! How about Phoenician or Mauritanian military engineers fleeing from Roman oppression. Squaw Rock carved in the 1800's? How about carved 4000 years ago by copper miners traveling up the Black River when the water tables were different and Niagara Falls could be circumvented? Is the snake (sun) swallowing the egg (Venus) serpent mound theme the remnant of an ancient post ice age world wide sun worshiping cult? The local tribes said they had no idea who built it when the first white settlers arrived. Why are there other identical mounds/art work found in prehistoric Europe? Were these people wiped out by a mass migration of Asians during a climatic minimum in 1200 AD? Before you conclude that I am crazy think about Kennewick Man or read Barry Fell's "America B.C." or Ancient American magazine and you will see how amazing Ohio (and other midwest) history might be. If we at least presented the debate at our historical sites, you wouldn't be able to keep the 10 old boys away with a stick. Go to the Amour Court in the Cleveland Art museum on a Saturday to see what I mean. I find this stuff riveting. Can't understand why nobody else does. Irish legend states that their mound-building gods went west over the sea. How is that not interesting?
April 20, 200916 yr Thanks for the post Rider. That doesn't surprise me one bit, to know that politics have been involved in this mess. They need to do the following, in my opinion, 1. Lop off the worst performing historical sites. Sell the sites to local and county entities in a way to shore up the budget and to allocate resources elsewhere. 2. Begin a campaign of restoring or increasing maintenance on the grounds. A little effort enhances the public perception of a historical site. 3. Lobby for increased funding of parks and historical sites. Ohio lags in both regards and it clearly shows. Disused and broken facilities line a lot of the parks and sites, and there isn't the money to repair or replace them. Overhauling parks gives a freshened appearance that brings these locations into the 21st century. 4. Begin a new branding campaign. By reinventing what Ohio is about, similar to what Kentucky did, we can have some of the outward flow of tourism come back into the state. "The heart of it all" or whatever the slogan is should be replaced with something fresh and up-to-date. The branding campaign should extend to the license plates; Kentucky has over 20 specialty plates that are all custom designed. From one that celebrates Lincoln heritage to one regarding Cumberland Falls to another on horses and so forth, they draw attention to the state. Ohio has specialty plates, but they all share the same border, the same design and feature tiny, cartoonish logos. Be more creative! 5. Operate the parks and sites as businesses. Outsource and contract maintenance and operations sans the core functions (i.e. intreperters). Get the facilities as self sufficient as possible. 6. AND GET POLITICS OUT OF THE EQUATION.
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