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Farewell Reception for Mildred Arthrell
On Monday, April 28 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at First Church in Oberlin, the Oberlin Heritage Center hosted a special send-off reception for Mildred Arthrell as she plans to relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma to reside with her son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Claudia Arthrell. Nearly 100 friends and colleagues of the beloved Oberlin teacher attended. Millie Arthrell was honored by the Heritage Center in 2007 with the History Teacher of the Year award, presented as part of the 6th Annual Heritage Center Community Awards program. Throughout her life, Arthrell has been a teacher of all ages, both in and outside the classroom, at libraries, at Lorain County Community College, the Heritage Center, the Lorain County Historical Society and other locales. She developed and presented many special history and reading programs that always were well-received by her audiences. Among her favorite topics were the Oberlin Wellington Rescue, the Civil War, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and U.S. Presidents from Ohio. Besides being a gifted teacher, Millie Arthrell has been a devoted community historian. She was the original inspiration behind the Oberlin third-grade history textbook, "Oberlin: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow." She also played leadership roles in the early years of the Oberlin Oral History project and in the Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization's project to document and celebrate the history of the Oberlin School of Commerce.Flyer

Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums' Regional Meeting
The regional meeting of the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums was held at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron on Saturday, April 19. This was a great opportunity for staff and board president Jim White to learn about new programs and network with other historical society members, staff and volunteers. The theme for this year was Keeping Ohio's History Healthy: Caring for and Managing Collections.

Nat Brandt Programs
Nat Brandt, author of The Town That Started The Civil War, visited Oberlin in mid-April to present several programs co-sponsored by the Oberlin College Archives and the Oberlin Heritage Center in partnership with the Oberlin Wellington Rescue Coalition (Program Flyer). His visit was the kick-off to a series of celebratory events planned throughout the year on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Oberlin Wellington Rescue. Over three hundred guests attended his programs during the two-day visit! Freelance writer Mr. Brandt gave a special program for high school students at Oberlin High School on Friday, April 11. He then presented two free public programs open to all, with seating on a first come, first served basis:

On Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m., Nat Brandt spoke about his newest book (written with co-author Yanna Kroyt Brandt), In the Shadow of the Civil War: Passmore Williamson and the Rescue of Jane Johnson (which occurred in 1855 in Philadelphia). The talk was held at the Oberlin Public Library and was followed by a book signing.

On Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m., Nat Brandt presented "Oberlin's Finest Hour and How It Resonates Today: Reflections on the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858" at First Church in Oberlin. It was followed by a reception and book signing.

Oberlin Heritage Center Community Awards Presentation and Annual Meeting Dinner 2008
The Annual Meeting and Community Awards Presentation took place on Wednesday, April 2 at the Oberlin Inn. Over 150 guests attended the banquet and meeting. David W. Clark spoke about Oberlin's First Twenty Years, 1833-1853. His presentation looked behind the legends and well-known stories to the dynamic and early economic realities that transformed Oberlin from a swampy forest to the beginnings of a thriving railroad and college town. David W. Clark is the manager of the Richard R. Hallock Foundation and an Oberlin Heritage Center honorary trustee. When Dave Clark became the recipient of the Oberlin News-Tribune's Oberlinian of the Year Award in 1998, the late Jeptha Carrell stated that Dave "is large in size; in compassion; in his concoction of creative thought; in his production of elegant furniture; in his capacity to extrude words that have not previously been extruded in just that way," and so much more. This presentation launched the Oberlin Heritage Center's year-long salute to the 175th anniversary of Oberlin's founding.

The evening also included the Oberlin Heritage Center's Seventh Annual Community Awards presentation and a brief business meeting. The following individuals were saluted for their amazing contributions of time and talent: Ann Livingston - Oberlin Heritage Center Volunteer of the Year; Helen Davidson Johnson - Heritage Guardian; Gary Kornblith and Carol Lasser - Community Historians of the Year; William P. Schreiner - Keep Oberlin Beautiful Award; Greg Supers/Supers Landscape - Business Leader Service Award; Michael English - Youth Community Service Award. For more information about these wonderful individuals and the business portion of the Annual Meeting, please see the press release. Thank you to all for your continued support!

The event was also marked by the wonderful news that the Richard R. Hallock Foundation is granting the Oberlin Heritage Center $1,000,000 for use in a permanent restricted endowment in support of the executive director position. The endowment donation will ensure continued support of the Oberlin Heritage Center as the Hallock Foundation prepares to close its doors in 2010. Board President James White stated that "The Board, Staff, Volunteers and Members will be forever grateful to Colonel and Mrs. Hallock and to the Foundation which they created. This wonderful gift will go a long way in assuring that our organization remains strong, vital, and sustainable." For more information on this incredible donation and the generosity of the Richard R. Hallock Foundation, please see the full press release.

History Day
Secondary school students from throughout Northeast Ohio presented papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances and websites they have developed as projects for Ohio's National History Day. The theme for history day this year was Conflict and Compromise in History. Judging for the regional competition took place at Case Western Reserve University on Saturday, March 15 while the statewide judging occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Columbus. For more information about the contest, please visit www.nationalhistoryday.org.

Oberlin's Invisible Leading Lady
The Oberlin Heritage Center's Women's History Month program was held on Tuesday, March 18th at 7:15 p.m. at Kendal at Oberlin's Heiser Auditorium. The program was free and open to the public. Prue Richards (Collections Assistant) and Elizabeth Schultz (Museum Education and Tour Coordinator) discussed the woman of the Monroe House, Julia Finney Monroe (1837-1930) and talked about how her story is (and is not) part of the history we share with visitors from near and far. Julia Finney Monroe lived for five decades in the house where the Oberlin Heritage Center begins its tours that are offered on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Monroe House is also home to the organization's offices, museum store, and Resource Center. Flyer

The Greenest Building is Already Built!: Sustainability and Historic Preservation
Sara Hobbs, Associate Director at the Cleveland Restoration Society, illustrated that the continued use and rehabilitation of existing buildings is the sustainable and responsible use of resources. The program was presented on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Richard R. Hallock Auditorium in the Adam J. Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. Demolition of any building is a significant waste of resources and the generator of an enormous amount of trash for an often distant and about-to-be full landfill. Historic preservation and green building movements can work together to conserve and promote sustainability within our communities. Hobbs described simple things that homeowners can do to make their houses more energy efficient and environmentally sensitive while still preserving historic integrity. Hobbs discussed possible public policy initiatives that could support the purchase and rehabilitation of older homes. This free public program was sponsored by the Lorain County Preservation Network, the Oberlin Heritage Center, and the Cleveland Restoration Society with the support of other organizations, including the City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission, the City of Oberlin Housing Renewal Commission, and Oberlin College's Office of Sustainability and Environmental Studies Department. For more information, contact Sara Hobbs by phone at 216-426-3108 or by email at shobb@clevelandrestoration.org. Flyer

The Ohio Historical Society's Third Annual Ohio Statehood Day
The Ohio Historical Society hosted events at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, March 5th. "Statehood Day - the date in 1803 when Ohio became the nation's 17th state - provides a great opportunity to highlight the importance of Ohio's history and help demonstrate how history impacts local communities through economic revitalization, education, attracting tourism and adding to Ohioans' quality of life," according to Greg Myers, president of the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums. The activities took place in the Statehouse Atrium, lasting from 10 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. Participants took part in a brief program before joining others in small group meetings with legislators to discuss issues affecting history organizations. For more information, visit www.ohiohistory.org/about/lu/sd.html.

Reception for Bert Latran, Jr., Oberlinian of the Year!
Oberlin Heritage Center board member Bert Latran, Jr. was selected by staff at the Oberlin News-Tribune as Oberlinian of the Year! A reception was hosted by the Oberlin Heritage Center at the Parish Hall of Christ Episcopal Church (162 S. Main Street) on Sunday, March 2nd from 2 to 4 p. Over 150 guests dropped in to applaud and show appreciation to our fabulous board member, volunteer, and great citizen. Bert graduated from Oberlin High School and Oberlin College and can frequently be seen shouting out friendly greetings and chatting with old and new acquaintances all over town. Bert trims trees and landscapes for his Bert's Prettywork Trimming Service, but what you don't see is how much of that work he volunteers to do for friends and clients. Bert has volunteered for many community organizations over the years, including as a founding board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County. His dedication and enthusiasm inspires many others to volunteer and support their community. Bert also spends countless hours volunteering for the Oberlin Heritage Center as a member of the board of trustees, guiding Pride Day clean-up and beautification efforts, shoveling walks, removes trees, and helping in countless other ways. Pat Murphy best summed up how much Bert means to the Oberlin Heritage Center and to the community. "His hard work, boundless enthusiasm, and genuine concern for others all year round inspire us all to take pride in our community...He has a heart of gold and is a real asset to the community. I don't know what we would do without him."

Black History Month Programs
In February the Oberlin Heritage center hosted a series of programs relating to the themes of African Americans and Native Americans culminating in two programs presented by a nationally known author, historian, and educator, William Loren Katz. Mr. Katz appears frequently on television and public radio and lectures throughout the country. He is best known for his 40 books which make history come alive, including the award winning classics Black Indians, The Black West, and Black Women of the Old West. More information on Mr. Katz' work is available at www.williamlkatz.com. Community members are encouraged to read William Loren Katz' book, Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage which is available at the Oberlin Public Library, the Oberlin Heritage Center Museum Store, and Ben Franklin/Mindfair and to also take an opportunity to watch two DVDs that address aspects of the topic. It is hoped that the events fostered enhanced cross cultural understanding and community dialogue. The events are listed below and can be seen in this printable flyer.

Black Indians: An American Story, a 60 minute educational DVD produced by Rich-Heape Films, was presented at the Oberlin Public Library on Tuesday, February 12th at 7 p.m. Narrated by James Earl Jones, it explored the cultural and racial fusion of Native and African Americans and looked at what brought the two groups together, what drove them apart and what challenges they face today. After the video viewers participated in a thoughtful discussion of their own experiences of learning about their heritage and forming an identity. Discussion was led by Eugene Fogo Simon, Roberta Garcia, and Sundance. This event was co-sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center and the Oberlin Public Library.

How To Trace Your Native American Ancestry, a 40 minute educational DVD produced by Rich-Heape Films, was presented at the Oberlin Public Library on Tuesday, February 19th at 7 p.m. It was followed by a question and answer session with local residents, including Eugene Fogo Simon, Sundance, and Sharon Land, who have explored their Native American roots. This event was co-sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center and the Oberlin Public Library. Both this DVD and Black Indians can be purchased at the Oberlin Heritage Center Museum Store or borrowed from the public library.

Black Women and Men Pioneers: The Real West was presented by William Loren Katz on Friday, February 22nd at 4 p.m. at Kendal at Oberlin's Heiser Auditorium. This one-hour illustrated presentation was free and open to the public. Though unmentioned in most history books and courses on the exploration and settlement of western frontiers, people of African descent played a pivotal role. They came as escaped slaves, free men and women of color, school marms, homesteading families, founders of towns, civil rights activists, poets, soldiers, journalists, fur trappers, and as members of the great Indian nations.

Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage was presented by William Loren Katz on Saturday, February 23rd at 1:30 p.m. at the Oberlin High School Auditorium at 281 N. Pleasant Street. The free, one-hour illustrated presentation was open to all and was followed by a reception and book signing. The presentation illustrated the little-known relationship between African Americans and Native Americans and how it shaped the history of the American continent.

The events were organized by an Oberlin Heritage Center committee whose members included Roberta Garcia, Eugene Foggo Simon, Sharon Fairchild Soucy, and James White. These events were made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and were sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center in cooperation with other community organizations. The Oberlin Heritage Center's Partners for the events included the Sundance/the Cleveland American Indian Movement, the John Mercer Langston Institute, the Oberlin Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., the Oberlin College History Department, the Oberlin College President's Office, the Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministries, and other community organizations and individuals. In-kind support was provided by the Oberlin Schools, Kendal at Oberlin, and the Oberlin Public Library.

Strategies for Successful Display of Museum Objects
Camille Myers Breeze, nationally known art conservator and Director of Museum Textile Services in Andover, Massachusetts (and an Oberlin alumna) led participants through a very informative and engaging workshop about how to safely display museum objects. The one-day workshop began with a discussion of conditions that may harm objects and then Camille discussed what materials and strategies are key to ensuring the preservation of a museum object. The afternoon was spent learning and then trying professional, safe, and feasible ways to display common museum and home objects, including textiles, books, costumes, and framed items. Participants called the program "excellent" and we only regret that we were not able to accept all registrants due to capacity limits! This one-day hands-on workshop was held on Monday, February 4 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Flyer and Registration Form

Oberlin Heritage Center Community Awards Program
Thank you for nominating individuals, organizations, and businesses whose outstanding accomplishments in serving the community are in keeping with our mission: "to preserve and share Oberlin's unique heritage and to make our community a better place to live, learn, work and visit." The Oberlin Heritage Center Community Award categories include Community Historian, Heritage Guardian, Volunteer of the Year, Community Teacher of the Year, History Teacher of the Year, Keep Oberlin Beautiful, and Business Leader. This year's award winners will be announced and saluted at the Annual Meeting on April 2, 2008.

From Volcanos to Glaciers: Three Billion Years of Spectacular Great Lakes Scenery in the Making
Over two hundred guests joined Dr. Charles E. Herdendorf as he explored the geologic processes that have created our spectacular Great Lakes and the mineral resources in the Basin. Starting in Lake Superior, the presentation took everyone on a geological tour of each of the lakes, ending where the St. Lawrence River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Guests witnessed mountain building episodes, vast saltwater seas, prolonged periods of deep valley erosion, massive glacial ice sheets, and finally the coastal process that continues to shape the Great Lakes today. Dr. Herdendorf is Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences at The Ohio State University and an Affiliate Scholar in the Environmental Sciences Program at Oberlin College. This free public program was on Tuesday, January 29th at 7:15 p.m. at Kendal at Oberlin's Heiser Auditorium, 600 Kendal Drive. Flyer

Learning from Japan
Donna Shurr gave an encore presentation about her experiences while traveling in Japan as one of 200 teachers selected to be part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program. Through the program, which was funded by the government of Japan, Donna and fellow educators spent three weeks observing Japanese students and teachers, learning about their cultural practices, trying delicious foods, and traveling through local neighborhoods. Her presentation was filled with wonderful photos and touching stories. Donna, who is also an Oberlin Heritage Center Trustee, gave this free public program at the Oberlin Public Library on January 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

Oberlin Heritage Center Highlights of 2007!
Thanks to all of the friends and family of the Oberlin Heritage Center, 2007 was a wonderful year for programs, projects, and celebration. Staff members Mary Anne Cunningham and Prue Richards both received Individual Achievement Awards from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums. Liz Schultz was welcomed as the new Museum Education and Tour Coordinator. The roof of the Monroe House was repaired and replaced. A conservator from the Intermuseum Conservation Association in Cleveland assessed our wood furniture collection. We introduced "e-reminders" to keep in touch with everyone. We attained an all-time high of 722 memberships, 81 of which are Endowed Life Members. We produced a deck of playing cards featuring historic photographs of pre-1933 Oberlin. Executive Director Pat Murphy received Oberlin College's Center for Service and Learning's "Outstanding Community Partner Award." It was an honor to have the Oberlin Heritage Center featured in a CD produced by the American Association of Museums of policies and plans from accredited small museums. Now museums throughout the country wishing to become accredited will see the great work we do! Thank you to all for your help and support, and we wish you a Happy New Year!

Oberlin High School Gingerbread House Display
Oberlin High School students once again created a wondrous array of gingerbread houses with the help of their teacher, Donna Shurr. These houses were on display at the Oberlin Public Library from December 15, 2007 until January 5, 2008. The public was invited to view these delicious creations and vote for their favorite houses. A reception for the public to meet the young bakers was held on December 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library. Special remarks were shared at 5:00 p.m. The gingerbread project was funded by a grant from the Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund and sponsored by the Oberlin Heritage Center. Please applaud the students for their imagination, teamwork, and hard work! Flyer