Events and News
Mark your calendar. Try something new. Register your child for a summer camp they will never forget. Have your say. Hear what others have to say. Celebrate. Connect with the past and present.
Spring / Summer 2012
February 29 (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.) Oberlin Here and Elsewhere: The Legacy of John Frederick Oberlin beyond Ohio. In 1946 Yasuzo and Ikuko Shimizu, graduates of the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in 1926 and 1927 respectively, established Obirin Gakuen (Institute) in Tokyo, Japan. They were inspired by their time as students at Oberlin College and the life of John Frederick Oberlin. Ken Grossi, Oberlin College Archivist and OHC Board member, spoke at a symposium at J.F. Oberlin University (the new name of the school in Tokyo which is part of the Obirin Gakuen Institute) in November 2011 to help commemorate the work of Yasuzo and Ikuko Shimizu and to discuss the legacy of John Frederick Oberlin. Ken will talk about his trip to Tokyo and the influence of John Frederick Oberlin on the founding of Oberlin, Ohio, the colony and the college, and how his values and beliefs were carried to other places in the United States as well as Japan. Location: Heiser Auditorium, Kendal at Oberlin.
March 18 (Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.) Docent Training Introductory Workshop. Do you love Oberlin and its history and want to help share it with others? Consider becoming an Oberlin Heritage Center volunteer docent – a great way to learn more about Oberlin and its unique history! Talk to Museum Education and Tour Coordinator Liz Schultz (tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org) and make arrangements to take a complimentary tour of our three historic buildings before the training to see whether docenting is your “cup of tea.” We ask docents to commit to leading at least four tours per year. This training is also a great first step if you are interested in leading history walks (trainings at later dates are listed elsewhere within this calendar). Our docent team is a fun and diverse group of all ages and backgrounds that meets periodically for informational gatherings, field trips, and more. Register by March 14.
March 28 (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.) “You Cannot Resist the Call”: Oberlin and Women’s Changing Roles in the Nation. Youngstown State University graduate students Roger Juntunen and Jane Spies have been researching women, acknowledged and unsung, as part of an internship project with the Oberlin Heritage Center. Roger will present highlights of their findings in an illustrated presentation that includes rarely heard stories of outspoken women who lived in Oberlin or attended the college. Learn how their actions reflected, and often caused, national shifts in the understanding of women’s potential, rights, and roles. Highlights will include diary excerpts from Jennie Allen, who lived in what is today Allencroft/Russia House, the epic lives of the once enslaved abolitionist Edmonson sisters, the struggles of artist Edmonia Lewis, and the jailing of suffragist Doris Stevens. Join us in celebrating Women’s History month. Location: Heiser Auditorium, Kendal at Oberlin.
April 2-5 (Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or sign up for both two-day sessions) Spring Break Camp Week 1. Some area schools have break this week, while others have it the next, so the Oberlin Heritage Center is hosting camps each week. Camps are for boys and girls ages 8-12 years old. Fee: $45 per camp; $40 for children/grandchildren of Oberlin Heritage Center members. Register by March 17 to receive an additional $3 per camp discount. Maximum enrollment is 17 children per camp. Location: Oberlin Depot.
April 2-3 Legends, Tales, and History Camp. Kids will explore classic legends and fairy tales
and learn a bit of history along the way. From cobblers, to spinning wheels, to magical
lamps, we’ll have fun with old stories.
April 4-5 Innovations and Technology of the Civil War Era Camp. Campers will
investigate the workings of iron-clad ships, the telegraph, camp cookery, and more
through hands-on activities.
April 4 (Wednesday, 5 – 8:30 p.m.) Plan now to attend the Oberlin Heritage Center’s Annual Meeting and Dinner, which includes presentations to the recipients of the Oberlin Heritage Center’s 11th Annual Community Awards as well as a brief OHC business meeting and a fun and lively look at the Heritage Center’s successes in the past year and its future plans. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with an optional social hour and dinner is served at 6 p.m. followed by the program at about 7 p.m. Tickets purchased by March 23 are $25 for OHC members and $30 for the general public; after March 23, tickets are $30 (OHC members) and $35 (general public). Reservations must be made by March 30. More information will be mailed to OHC members in early March; if you do not receive a flyer, or need more information, call (440) 774-1700 or e-mail members@oberlinheritage.org. Location: Oberlin Inn.
April 10-13 (Tuesday and Wednesday or Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Spring Break Camp Week 2. Kids who were not able to attend last week can come this week! See details in April 2-5 listing.
April 10-11 Legends, Tales, and History Camp
April 12-13 Innovations and Technology of the Civil War Era Camp
April 25 (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.) Behind the Scenes at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Whether it is the stub of a pencil from a no longer extant lumber company, or the contents of an entire abandoned house, the Oberlin Heritage Center gets a steady flow of potential donation offers of all sizes and kinds. Armed with state-of-the-art policy and plans, and working together with Collections Assistant Prue Richards and Executive Director Pat Murphy, the Collections Committee carefully evaluates each offer to determine whether or not to accept the gift and help find the best outcome for the Heritage Center, for the object(s) and archival materials, and for the donor—with sometimes surprising results! Come hear how the talented, experienced, all-volunteer Collections Committee has helped the OHC evolve from a “community attic” to a professional collecting repository and museum. Location: Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.
May 6 (Sunday from 1 – 4 p.m.) History Walk Docent Training: Soldiers & Civilians. Learn about Oberlin’s participation in the Civil War, both on the battlefield and on the home front, and how to present it in the format of a 75-minute walking tour. Register by May 2. Questions: email tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. We ask that volunteers commit to leading at least four tours or history walks per year.
May 19 (Saturday, 9 a.m. – Noon) Pride Day is a great time to lend a hand with spring grounds clean-up at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Come for all or part of the morning and bring a friend or your family if you wish. Meet at the brick crossroads at the center of the grounds. Wear your work gloves (and bring your gardening tools if you like). Or, take on a project at home or in your neighborhood. Many hands make light work!
May 22 (Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.) Creating the Oberlin History Comic Book. Noted author/illustrator/historian Bentley Boyd from Williamsburg, Virginia will talk about his unique approach to presenting history in a fun way to engage new audiences. He has created over 30 history comic books on an array of topics. His newest, Oberlin: Origins and Onward!, was published by the Oberlin Heritage Center in December 2011 in memory of former Oberlin Heritage Center trustee Nicholas Stevenson who was a volunteer grandparent reader at Eastwood School. This entertaining, fact-filled publication appeals to all ages and incorporates the history of the college and community from its founding in 1833 through the present (and then some!) How could Bentley Boyd cram Oberlin’s rich history into 24 pages and make it enjoyable? Come and find out. Location: Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium. [Please note that the comic book may be purchased by mail order, through the Oberlin Heritage Center online store and at the OHC Museum Store at the Monroe House, FAVA’s UnCommon Objects, Kendal at Oberlin’s Cardinal Shop, and Ben Franklin/Mindfair.]
May 25-27 (Friday through Sunday) Commencement / Memorial Day Weekend is a fun time to explore historic Oberlin and the Oberlin Heritage Center. For detailed information about each History Walk and the Guided Tour of the Oberlin Heritage Center see the information section at the end of this calendar. Stop by the Monroe House and visit the Heritage Center’s Museum Store for Oberlin-themed souvenirs, books, and free visitor information.
Commencement/Memorial Day Weekend Schedule of Oberlin Heritage Center Activities:
Reservations are needed for History Walks. Descriptions of each walk, including tour fees and
information on how to register, are provided at the end of this calendar. Activities include:
Friday, May 25
Scholars and Settlers History Walk at 3 p.m.
OHC Museum Store open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 26
Freedom’s Friends History Walk at 11 a.m.
Oberlin Heritage Center guided tour at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (walk-ins welcome)
Soldiers and Civilians/Civil War History Walk at 3:30 p.m.
OHC Museum Store open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 27
Soldiers and Civilians/Civil War History Walk at 11 a.m.
Freedom’s Friends History Walk at 3 p.m.
OHC Museum Store open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 2 (Saturday, 11:00 a.m.) Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 5 (Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.) – The Quilt as Story Teller. Textiles can tell a story of their time by fiber type, dye method and printed or woven pattern. Quilts can add to the story through design details, both regional and personal, and the crafter’s construction techniques and level of skill with a needle. And when the name of the maker is known – and some family genealogy, associated places, and especially pictures can be added – the quilt goes beyond being simply a voice to being a whole conversation! The quilt becomes the vehicle for keeping a family story going for generations into the future. Prue Richards, the Oberlin Heritage Center’s Collections Assistant, will share examples of quilts from the OHC Collections and stories. We hope they will inspire attendees to hurry home and put together the voices and faces of Great Grandma’s Blazing Star quilt or Aunt Hattie’s amazing embroidered table cloth for future generations of their own. Location: Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium. [Please note this program, the special Oberlin Heritage Center “Quilt as Storyteller” guided tours, and the workshop on “Textile Care and Preservation in Your Own Home” described below are part of a series of quilt-related activities taking place all over town. All are in conjunction with FAVA’s fifteenth biennial juried Artist as Quiltmaker exhibition at the New Union Center from May 13 to July 29. See www.favagallery.org]
June 8 (Friday, 10:30 a.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 9 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 9 (Saturday, 3 p.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 15 (Friday, 10:30 a.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 16 (Saturday, all day) Juneteenth. A community-wide tradition commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Coming of Emancipation.” The Oberlin Heritage Center will participate along with many other area organizations hosting booths along Tappan Square. For more information, visit www.juneteenthoberlin.com.
June 16 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 16 (Saturday, 3 p.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 22 (Friday, 10:30 a.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 23 (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Observe or take part in Oberlin’s seventh annual Chalk Walk celebration which continues the tradition of festive, colorful sidewalk painting that began in 16th century Italy. All skill levels are welcome – work alongside master professional artists and local artists as they create works of sidewalk art all over downtown Oberlin. High quality pastels are provided to all participants. Stop by the Oberlin Heritage Center’s table on South Main for a fun break! For more information, visit http://www.oberlinchalkwalk.com/.
June 23 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 23 (Saturday, 3 p.m.) “The Quilt as Storyteller” guided tour. See details at the end of this calendar.
June 25-29 (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) A Week at the Museums. The Oberlin Heritage Center and Allen Memorial Art Museum are teaming up to offer a behind-the-scenes camp for teens. Campers will tour an art museum, history museum, and a historic house and find out answers to questions like “How do you choose what goes on the wall?” “Where does all of this stuff come from?” and “Is this really 300 years old?!” Kids will learn about daily museum operations, in the galleries and in the collections, by talking with professionals, trying activities just like the pros, and working on a mini project that friends and family can see at the end of the week. This camp is perfect for youth wanting to learn more about museums and careers in art and history. Participants can also volunteer at the museums following the camp to earn service hours. Registration forms will be sent to members later this spring. Watch for more information online or contact (440) 774-1700 (members@oberlinheritage.org) to be put on our Summer Camp mailing list.
June 30 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
July 7 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
July 7 (Saturday, 3 p.m.) I Spy Oberlin: History & Architecture Scavenger Hunt is designed for children ages 5-11 with an adult companion. Families will be guided through historic Oberlin while keeping their eyes peeled for historic markers, decorative details, and Oberlin oddities. Fun and engaging for all! Reservations required; fee $3 per child. Location: The “hunt” begins at the Monroe House and we’ll walk outside in fair weather; we will “spy” inside our historic buildings if it is raining.
July 8 (Sunday, 1–4 p.m.) History Walk Docent Training: Freedom’s Friends. Learn about Oberlin’s role in the history of abolition and the Underground Railroad and how to present it in the format of a 75-minute walking tour through historic neighborhoods surrounding downtown Oberlin. Register by July 4. Questions: email tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. Docents are asked to commit to leading at least four tours or history walks per year.
July 14 (Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.) Textile Care and Preservation In Your Own Home. We want to take care of Grandma’s quilt, Mom’s wedding gown, Great Grandpa’s military uniform, and our favorite Aunt’s amazingly embroidered table cloth, in the very best way possible to preserve them for future generations. But we don’t live in museums. This workshop led by Oberlin Heritage Center Collections Assistant Prue Richards will address the materials, techniques, conditions, practices and spaces available to us in our own homes that can help improve and extend the lives of our textile treasures. A folder of handouts and resources will be provided for each attendee, and participants are invited to bring one or two textile pieces of their own for evaluation during the afternoon session. Fee: $50 ($45 for OHC members) includes box lunch. Pre-registration required. Watch for more information online or contact (440-774-1700) or members@oberlinheritage.org to receive a registration flyer. Location: Oberlin Depot.
July 14 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
July 21 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
July 28 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
July 30-August 3 (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.) Kids & World Cultures: Italy through the Ages. Buongiorno! Children ages 8 to 13 can explore Italy from its ancient roots to the modern era. What made the Roman Empire the envy of the ancient world? Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean? Who is Galileo and what did he discover? Kids will find out through a mixture of activities, food, games, pictures, mini-language lessons, and more. Watch for more information online or contact (440) 774-1700 (members@oberlinheritage.org) to be put on our Summer Camp mailing list.
August 4 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
August 4 (Sat., 3 pm) I Spy Oberlin: History & Architecture Scavenger Hunt. See details at July 7 entry.
August 6-10 (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Architecture Camp. Children ages 8 to 10 will love learning the basics of architecture in this hands-on learning camp. Kids will learn about building materials, tour buildings, try construction challenges, and envision buildings of the future. Watch for more information online or contact (440) 774-1700 (members@oberlinheritage.org) to be put on our Summer Camp mailing list.
August 11 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
August 13-17 (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Architecture Camp. Children ages 11 to 13 will enjoy the challenging activities of this camp. Campers will tour buildings in town, sketch designs, construct mini buildings, create floor plans, and explore digital architectural tools. Watch for more information online or contact (440) 774-1700 (members@oberlinheritage.org) to be put on our Summer Camp mailing list.
August 18 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
August 22 (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.) Oberlin and the Quest for Emancipation. This talk by the Oberlin Heritage Center’s AmeriCorps/Ohio Civil War 150 member Richard Donegan will explore how Oberlin’s ardent abolitionists insisted from the very beginning of the Civil War that emancipation was the ultimate aim. Location: Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.
August 25 (Saturday, 11 a.m.) Freedom’s Friends History Walk. See details at the end of this calendar.
September 1 (Sat., 3 p.m.) I Spy Oberlin: History & Architecture Scavenger Hunt. See details at July 7 entry.
Guided Tours of the Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center Tour. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tour includes three historic Oberlin buildings that serve as background for stories of the community and college in its first century, from the 1833 founding through the turn of the 20th century. Admission: $6/adults. OHC members and students with current IDs free; children free when accompanied by adult. Reservations appreciated; walk-in visitors welcome for these tours, too. For more information, call (440) 774-1700, or send an e-mail to tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org.
“The Quilt as Story Teller” tour. June 8-23 (Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m.) Join us for a special guided tour that will feature some of the Oberlin Heritage Center’s historic quilts rarely seen on display. Collections Assistant Prue Richards will discuss textiles and techniques of construction, and the makers, owners, and occasions associated with the quilts shown. These quilts date from c. 1830 to c. 1920. They range in size from small doll quilts to impressively large full size bed quilts and they include pieced, appliquéd, whole cloth, and several variations of crazy quilt genres. The quilts will be displayed throughout the historic Monroe and Jewett Houses for this month only. Information about how to care for quilts will be available at the end of the tour. Space is limited to ten people per tour and pre-paid registration is required. Flash photography will not be permitted. Tour lasts one to one and one-half hours. Not recommended for young children. $10 per person; $6 per OHC member. For more information, call Prue Richards at (440) 774-1700, or send an e-mail to history@oberlinheritage.org.
Weekly History Walks
Guided History Walks are offered Saturdays at 11 a.m. June through October. Tickets must be purchased online or at the Monroe House’s Museum Store; tickets are not available at the starting point of the tour. $6 per adult (free for OHC members, college/university students with current ID; and for children under 18 years accompanied by a parent or guardian; the tour is best suited for 9 years and older.) Each walk is 60-75 minutes. History walks may be cancelled and fees refunded if raining at the tour start time. Additional history walks will be offered in September and October; check back for updates.
Soldiers and Civilians History Walk. June. One hundred fifty years ago the Civil War was transforming the society, politics, and culture of an entire nation. Oberlin men enlisted in over 30 regiments, white and black, from infantry to cavalry and participated in such battles as Kessler’s Cross Lanes, Cedar Mountain, New Market Heights, and Petersburg. Residents formed relief groups and recruiting details, wrote letters, and continued the cry for abolition. On this guided neighborhood history walk, guests will see sites and photographs from the time while hearing stories of exhausting marches, the frustration of false news, longing for loved ones, struggles for equal treatment, moments of daring, and the loss of friends and family in the words of those who lived it. The tour begins at the flagpoles at the southeast corner of Tappan Square, near the corner of Main and College Streets. Review the general “History Walk” section above for reservation and fee information.
Freedom’s Friends History Walk. July-August. Prior to the Civil War, as many as 3,000 African
Americans passed through or lived in Oberlin after escaping from slavery. The town was once said to be second only to Canada as an asylum for freedom seekers. This guided history walk is about the historic decisions that shaped Oberlin’s growth as a station and highlights the individuals and events that marked Oberlin as one of the most active stations of the Underground Railroad. Stories include Oberlin College’s acceptance of African American students, the famous ship Amistad, men who volunteered for John Brown’s violent raid on Harper’s Ferry and local efforts to thwart slave catchers. The tour begins at the front steps of First Church, U.C.C. at the northwest corner of Main and Lorain (S.R. 511) Streets. Review the general “History Walk” section above for reservation and fee information.
History On Demand and To Go!
Groups of 8 or more may reserve a private History Walk during the months of April through October. This requires a three-week advance reservation and pre-payment. Topics include: Freedom’s Friends, Radicals and Reformers, Soldiers and Civilians (Civil War), Scholars and Settlers History Walk of Tappan Square, and the “I Spy Scavenger Hunt” for children. Contact Liz Schultz at tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org or (440) 774-1700. Some Oberlin Heritage Center workshops, presentations and programs, including “Lessons in the Past,” a special program for schools and youth organizations, are available to groups for a fee. Contact Liz Schultz at (440)774-1700 or e-mail tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org for details.
Street Address Locations for Programs and Tours Listed in This Calendar:
• Craig Lecture Hall, Oberlin Science Center – 119 Woodland at Lorain St./S.R. 511
• Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium – 600 Kendal Drive (main entrance)
• Oberlin Depot – 240 S. Main Street (overflow parking on north side of South St. and across S. Main/Route 58)
• Oberlin Heritage Center - Monroe House – 73½ South Professor Street; parking lot entrance is located at
20 W. Vine Street just west of Midas Muffler at S. Main and Vine Street (then walk from the parking area to the Monroe House front entrance facing Oberlin College’s Conservatory parking lot)
• Oberlin Inn – 7 North Main Street
