OHS Celebrates Summer with American Originals Opening & Revamp of Ohio Village; Sites Across the State Open for the Season Memorial Day Weekend

Business Wire, May 17, 2002

Business Editors

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2002

The summer season opens May 24-26 at the Ohio Historical Society with a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit titled American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives, and extended or new hours at all 61 Ohio Historical Society sites throughout the state, including the newly revamped Ohio Village.

American Originals, which opens Fri., May 24, at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus and runs through Sept. 2, allows visitors to view rarely seen historical documents that chart the course of American history. The Louisiana Purchase, handwritten notes from John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural address and Thomas Edison's patent for the electric lamp are among the 25 documents on display at the center, which is the only venue in Ohio and contiguous states to host American Originals.

The exhibit opens at a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Fri., May 24, followed by a tour led by American Originals curator Stacey Bredhoff, who will share little-known stories about historical figures represented in the exhibit. On Sat., May 25, Bredhoff will lead another tour at 11 a.m. Then at 12:30 p.m., Hank Fincken as Thomas Edison presents his one-act play, Almost, Mr. Edison, Almost. At 11:30 and 2 p.m., visitors can interview living history characters during Spotlight, a television news-style program. Hands-on activities related to the exhibit will be on hand Sat., Sun. and each weekend throughout the summer.

On Sun., May 25, the center begins weekly Sunday scavenger hunts that complement American Originals with an entertaining presentation of the theme Ohio Originals. Five other OHS sites also are joining in the scavenger hunts, including the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Zoar Village in Zoar, Campus Martius Museum in Marietta and the Piqua Historical Area in Piqua.

The majority of the Society's 61 sites open for general public tours Memorial Day weekend, although Adena in Chillicothe and Fort Meigs in Perrysburg are closed for renovation. Historic homes, nature preserves, archaeological parks, living history villages and museums covering topics ranging from immigration to the space program are all part of the sites to see in the Society's system.

Descriptions and operating hours for all OHS sites and related special events are available at www.ohiohistory.org or travelers may call 1-888-909-OHIO (6446) for a Gateways guide.

The most significant and visible changes as sites open this season will be at Ohio Village, a re-created 1860s town adjacent to the center. The village opens Sat., May 25, with a new focus on interpreters who portray 1860s historical characters and engage visitors in period activities. Visitors will be invited to ring the school bell, set type for a news story and pick out material for a new dress.

Barriers between interpreters and the public have been removed in all 22 village buildings and ten now serve a new purpose. A livery, millinery and dressmaker's shop, women's seminary or finishing school and a freight office are among the Civil War-style buildings that offer a different view of 1860s life.

The Civil War-era documents featured in American Originals exhibit next door will be brought to life at the village when first-person interpreters depict life during President Abraham Lincoln's first call for troops in April 1861. Lively discussions among village residents and a 1 p.m. town meeting with patriotic music will be held to rally citizens for the cause. In contrast with the grim news of upcoming conflict, a gossip tour, heirloom garden tours, a plant sale, children's games and other activities of normal small town life will continue throughout the weekend.

Ohio Village hours through Oct. 27 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and noon to 5 p.m. Sun. The Ohio Historical Center will be open daily May 24 to Sept. 2 throughout American Originals during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Sat. and noon to 5 p.m. Sun. On weekends, the village entry fee is included in the regular Ohio Historical Center admission of $6 for adults and $2 for students ages 6 and up. Children ages 5 and under and OHS members are admitted free. There is a $3 parking fee for nonmember vehicles. After Sept. 2, the center will close on Mondays. For more information on hours and events at OHS sites, call 614-297-2300 or 800-686-6124, and see the Society's Web site at www.ohiohistory.org.

Editor's note: See www.ohiohistory.org for information on site openings in each region.