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Oberlin History
Ohio History
American History Resources
Heritage Tourism & Travel Info
History & Architecture for Students
History & Architecture for Educators
Architecture & Historic Preservation
Genealogy Resources
Sculptures, Monuments, and Markers
Historical Interpretation & Small Museum Administration
Oberlin-Area Organizations and Resources

Electronic Oberlin Group --An award-winning partnership between the Oberlin Heritage Center and Oberlin College, and a great place to learn about Oberlin's history.
Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group--"Dedicated to encouraging support for African-American genealogy and historical research."
Oberlin College Archives--The OC Archives hold a wealth of information on the history of the town and college, as well as on people (faculty, students, etc.) associated with the school.
Oberlin College Chemistry Department--Learn more about Charles Martin Hall and the beginnings of the aluminum industry.
Oberlin College LGBT History--Includes a number of essays, excerpts from oral histories, and other resources dealing with Oberlin College LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual) history.
Our Common Center--An archive of pictures and stories from the history of downtown Oberlin.
Westwood Cemetery -- An online version of the book Westwood: A Historical and Interpretive View of Oberlin's Cemetery

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Ohio History

Black River Historical Society--History Museum of the City of Lorain
The Lorain County Historical Society --The historical society and history museum of greater Lorain County
Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums (OAHSM)--"Encouraging the preservation and presentation of Ohio's heritage."
The Ohio Historical Society--The Ohio Historical Society website offers information on their educational programs, historic sites, archives, and more. Nifty special section for kids, too.
Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook--An online "scrapbook" of primary documents, collected from 330 cultural institutions, spanning Ohio's history.
Remarkable Ohio--Information about Ohio Historical Markers.

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African-American History

African American Heritage Preservation Foundation (This site is under construction; for information about the Foundation, see The Foundation Center's Spotlight on AAHPF)
Famous American Trials: Amistad Trial--Site contains a number of resources and documents dealing with the Amistad incident, including 1840s biographies of the Amistad captives.

Civil War History

The American Civil War Homepage--Major compilation of sources on the American Civil War.
The Valley of the Shadow --Two Communities in the American Civil War. This is a marvelous resource that tells the stories of two towns through primary documents.

Cultural and Social History

The Association for Gravestone Studies--Webpage dedicated to the study and preservation of cemeteries and gravestones as historical texts.
The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums--"An organization of people who bring history to life."
The Best of History Web Sites--A fairly comprehensive, and growing, list of links relating to many aspects of American and world history. Includes chronological and thematic sections, including African-American, Native American, and women's history.
Famous Trials--A collection of documents dealing with famous trials from history, including a number from American history, such as the John Brown trial, the Susan B. Anthony trial, and the Triangle Fire trial.
The Society for Commercial Archaeology--"Devoted to the buildings, artifacts, structures, signs, and symbols of the 20th-century commercial landscape," this fun site offers a look at some offbeat or kitchy aspects of twentieth-century history and material culture.
The Society for Industrial Archaeology--This site is devoted to the preservation, documentation, and interpretation of America's industrial history.

Primary Documents Sources

American Memory--A collection of primary sources and learning tools from the Library of Congress.
SIRIS--The Smithsonian Institute Research Information System
U.S. National Archives--Archive of nationally-significant documents, available to researchers.

Social/Reform Movements

The Anti-Saloon League--founded in Oberlin, OH
Temperance & Prohibition--Compilation of documents administered by Ohio State University

Underground Railroad

Canada and the Underground Railroad: Tracks to Freedom (Ottawa Citizen)--This website tracks the experiences and observations of an Ottawa Citizen reporter currently following one of the "routes" of the Underground Railroad.
Discover Ohio's Black History--Info on Ohio Underground Railroad history and tourism.
The Friends of Freedom Society--Ohio Underground Railroad Association
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center--The website of the museum of the same name in Cincinnati, OH, this site also discusses freedom in other contexts.
The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom--Learn more about the Underground Railroad, key stops, and important people. (Maintained by the National Park Service.)

Women's History

Godey's Lady's Book--Selections from the 1850s.
National Collaborative for Women's History Sites--"Supports and promotes the preservation and interpretation of sites and locales that bear witness to women's participation in American life"
National Women's Hall of Fame--"To honor in perpetuity these women, citizens of the United States of America whose contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, the humanities, philanthropy and science, have been the greatest value for the development of their country"
National Women's History Project --"To recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs."
Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000-Includes an essay on antebellum Oberlin women, among many other resources and papers.
Women's History Resources-Maintained by the University of Wisconsin's Women's Studies Librarian, this is an extensive listing of sources dealing with primarily-American women's history.

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Back Roads and Beaches -- a Lorain County bike trail that features Oberlin
Cleveland + - Things to do in Cleveland and all over Northeast Ohio!
Discover Ohio! --Tourism in Ohio
ePodunk: Small-Town Life and Tourism
Historic Hotels of America --A listing, maintained by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, of still-operating historic hotels around the nation. Use this site to plan your trip!
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio --Things to see and do in the Lake Erie region of Ohio.
Museumland.com--Find museums and cultural sites around the world. In English and Italian.
National Park Service--Learn more about every aspect of our national parks.
National Register Travel Itineraries--These online travel itineraries will help you plan that perfect trip.
Positively Cleveland--Listing of things to see and do in Northeast Ohio.
Rate This Museum -- Your guide to museum reviews online.
Roots and Routes--Info on all aspects of Heritage Tourism and travel, past and present
TravelLady Magazine--Travel articles by writers "who have been there" - including the Oberlin Heritage Center
Underground Railroad Bike Tour -- An international bike route that includes Oberlin
Western Reserve Tourist Council--Attractions, hotels, and restaurants in the Western Reserve.

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Architect Studio 3D: Design a House with Frank Lloyd Wright--Interactive architecture site
Finding Freedom 1844-1963--The story of Abraham Lincoln's opposition to slavery, with map illustrations.
Freedom Timeline --A look at Historical Stories of Freedom
History Matters --A gateway of web resources for students and educators of U.S. history.
It all Starts with Dirt--The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) has a fun and interactive website about Charles Martin Hall, the history of aluminum discoveries, and where aluminum comes from today. There's a short video about modern production too!
OhioKIDS!--The Ohio Historical Society's web site for kids.
Ohio Tourism Kids' Pages--Information about Ohio for children.
Save Outdoor Sculpture For Kids--Learn about sculpture where you live, and about things kids across the nation are doing to help save outdoor sculpture!
White House Kids--Check out fun information and games about America, history, the President, and more!

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History & Architecture for Educators

Architeacher--For teaching children about the built environment
Common-Place--An online magazine about American history.
Cube--Center for Understanding the Built Environment.
Facing History and Ourselves: Examining History and Human Behavior--Lessons about human nature drawn from history
History Matters--A gateway of web resources for students and educators of U.S. history.
The Heritage Education Network--A wealth of ideas for teachers
History WORKS--A resource for teachers in Ohio
The Learning Page--This page is intended to help educators design lesson plans that utilize the American Memory project.
National Council for History Education--"Promoting the importance of history in schools and in society"
National History Day--Includes an introduction to the contest, guidelines, and suggested resources for students and educators.
The Object of History--Each month this website features an artifact from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's collections related to a major topic in American history. The site includes curriculum materials.
Teaching with Historic Places--A website dedicated to helping educators create fun and interesting history, social studies, civics, and other subject area lessons based around issues illustrated in structures found in National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places.

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American Association of Museums--"Enhancing the value of museums to their communities through leadership, advocacy, and service."
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works--A professional group for conservators, this organization also offers conservation education and services.
Ask the Builder--Building advice from Tim Carter
Association for Preservation Technology--"Dedicated to promoting the best technology for conserving historic structures and their settings."
Cities/Buildings Database--Database of famous and representative buildings from around the world and from different historical moments.
Downtown Ohio--"Encouraging development, redevelopment and improvement of downtown areas and commercial districts throughout Ohio."
Heritage Ohio--Heritage Ohio has been established to better serve Ohioans in the preservation and revitalization movement. (Collaborates with Downtown Ohio.)
Heritage Preservation: The National Institute for Conservation--"Working to save the objects that embody our history by partnering with conservators, museums, civic groups, and concerned individuals across the nation who care about preserving pieces of our shared and individual pasts"
Heritage Preservation Services--"Helping our nation's citizens and communities identify, evaluate, protect and preserve historic properties for future generations of Americans" (Through the National Park Service)
Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record--View "important architectural, engineering and industrial sites throughout the United States and its territories."
Main Street Program--Learn about revitalization efforts in commercial downtown districts across the nation.
The National Building Museum-- "Explore the world we build ourselves."
National Center for Preservation Technology & Training (NCPTT)--Information on the use of science and technology in historic preservation, including archeology, architecture, landscape architecture and materials conservation.
National Council for Preservation Education--Promoting education in historic preservation
National Parks Conservation Association--Protecting our national parks for the visitors of today and tomorrow.
National Register of Historic Places--"The Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation."
National Trust for Historic Preservation--"Dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities"
Ohio Historic Preservation Office--Like the name suggests, your source for historic preservation in Ohio communities.
Old House Journal--Old House Journal online
Old House Web--For old-house enthusiasts
Preservation Action --Connecting you to Capitol Hill.
PreservationDirectory.com--Contains extensive listing of historic buildings and tours, historic preservation resources and programs, architectural information, and more.
Preservation Web --Guides to historic preservation services and products
The Recent Past Preservation Network--Preservation of the modern built environment.
Regional Alliance for Preservation (RAP)--Information on preservation and conservation and education for museum professionals.
Save America's Treasures--"Dedicated to identifying the enduring symbols of American tradition that define us as a nation."
Scenic America--Preserving American's scenic landscapes.
Sears Model Homes --Find our about the prefab homes marketed by Sears from 1908 through 1940.
The Society of Architectural Historians--Promoting "the study and preservation of the built environment worldwide."
Traditional Building--Resources for historic building projects.

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Genealogy Resources

FamilySearch--Large site, with a variety of search features, run by the Church of Latter-Day Saints.
Lorain County Ohio GenWeb
The National Archives: Genealogy --Lots of hints and tips for genealogy research..
Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group
Ohio Death Certificate Index--Search for death certificates issued in Ohio.
Ohio Genealogical Society--Subscription required, but a good resource for researchers specifically interested in Ohio.
RootsWeb.com--An award-winning free genealogical resource with searchable databases and more.

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The Association for Gravestone Studies--Using cemeteries and grave markers as historic (and educational) documents.
Remarkable Ohio--Information about Ohio Historical Markers.
Save Outdoor Sculpture--Lots of information on conservation and restoration of outdoor sculpture, plus an inventory of outdoor sculpture in the US. (Inventory hosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.)
The Sculpture Center --Information on exhibits, conservation and education programs held at the Sculpture Center in Cleveland, OH, plus a searchable database of outdoor sculpture in Ohio.

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American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)--"Providing leadership, service, and support for its members, who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American Society"
American Association of Museums--"Enhancing the value of museums to their communities through leadership, advocacy, and service."
John Veverka & Associates: Interpretive Planning & Interpretive Training--Consultant on interpretive planning & training.
Minnesota Historical Society on Conservation-A wealth of resources on conservation and emergency response.
National Association for Interpretation--"Inspiring leadership and excellence to advance heritage interpretation as a profession"
Northeast Document Conservation Center-Offers online resources for conservation and emergency planning.
Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums (OAHSM)-"Encouraging the preservation and presentation of Ohio's heritage."

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Apollo Theater--Historic 1913 movie theater in downtown Oberlin
Bonner Center for Service and Learning -- Oberlin College community service organization
The Bridge --Oberlin's community technology center.
City of Oberlin--Website of our town, Oberlin
Community Diaries -- An online discussion board for Oberlin community members.
Electronic Oberlin Group --An award-winning partnership between the Oberlin Heritage Center and Oberlin College, and a great place to learn about Oberlin's history.
Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA)--Local arts education and promotion organization
Kendal at Oberlin--Continuing care retirement community in Oberlin, OH (many of our volunteers are also Kendal residents--we couldn't get along without them!)
Leave A Legacy--Planned giving to benefit Northern Ohio organizations [Home website temporarily unavailable.]
LorainCounty.Com--Find out what's going on in Lorain County: news, events, real estate, etc.
Lorain County Visitor's Bureau--Info about visiting Lorain County (Oberlin is located in Lorain County, OH)
Oberlin Chamber of Commerce-- The Oberlin Chamber, in addition to its work as the Chamber, also is the "umbrella" under which our Main Street Oberlin program operates.
Oberlin Choristers--a renowned childrens' chorus.
Oberlin College--a top liberal arts college, and a big player in Oberlin history
Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group--"Dedicated to encouraging support for African-American genealogy and historical research."
Oberlin High School Athletic Boosters--A group of volunteers who help to make public school sports accessible to all participants by reducing the cost of participation through fundraising.
Oberlin High School Alumni Page--A great historical resource, since it includes complete class lists going back to 1870, posted obituaries for over 1,050 OHS Alumni, and a history of Oberlin High School.
The Oberlin Public Library--The Oberlin Public Library offers lots of great sources, not to mention programs.
Oberlin Public Schools --Catch up on what's happening in the Oberlin Public School system.
Our Common Center--An archive of pictures and stories from throughout the history of downtown Oberlin.

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