Historical Society elects new officers

Van Wert County Historical Society info

The Van Wert County Historical Society elected officers for the 2011-2012 term during its organizational meeting held recently. Officers for the coming year include Jon Amundson, president; Lionel Enyart, vice president; Ron Kessler, treasurer; Linda Mechling, secretary; and Joe Steffan, past president.

Historical Society trustees received a report from Katie Dallos, the Ohio History Service AmeriCorps Program representative for this area, who discussed the CW 150 project in the state. This project is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War from 2011 to 2015.

As part of her presentation, Dallos suggested possible programs or events that the local historical society might choose to participate in or initiate. She also identified several online sources of information and ideas for such activities: www.OhioCivilWar150.org or the Facebook page for Northwest Ohio Military History Events.

Ronda Davis of the membership committee reported that 520 membership letters were sent two weeks ago, while Treasurer Ron Kessler indicated that donations are beginning to come in. Davis stated that patrons, sponsors and Isaac Van Wart Club members will have their names listed on the website and posted in the annex. President Amundson encouraged those who wish to become members and did not receive a letter to contact an officer or Davis. They also can send their membership donation to P.O. Box 621, Van Wert, OH 45891. The donation is tax deductable. “The membership donations are the life blood of the organization since we have over $14,000 in fix costs each year,” stated Amundson.

Art Weber of the Program Committee presented the 2011 calendar. The museum will open for the year on Sunday, March 6, and each Sunday thereafter from 2-4:30 p.m. The museum will be closed on Easter Sunday and the Sunday of the Van Wert County Fair.

Programs on the schedule include: March 13, “Indians and the Great Black Swamp” by Harrison Frech; May 22, “History of Hall Lumber Company” by Jon Hall; September 11, “Growing Up Navaho” by Cheryl Tegenkampf; November 6, “Early History of the Area,” by Mike Schumm. All programs are free to the public and are held in the annex, beginning at 2 p.m.

Special events hosted by the Historical Society include: Holiday at Home and 18^th annual bike tour, July 4; Railroad Heritage Weekend, July 16-17; Antique Tractor Ride, August 6; Chicken Barbecue and Fall Fest, October 22.

Marie SanFilippo listed 58 students who will junior curators this year, while Barb Hunt delivered the 2010 Memory Book to be added to the museum’s collection. Joe Steffan reported that the shake shingles work on the Clark Homestead has been completed by Bebout and Houg Roofing and Siding company, except for a little clean-up this spring. The project was financed by a donation from the Odd Fellows Lodge of Van Wert and a grant from Iberdrola Renewables.

Steffan indicated that additional monies from Iberdrola will be used to place an Ohio Historical Marker at the corner of Lincoln Highway and Sugar Ridge Road to identify the grave of Robert Nesbit, who named Convoy after his home in Ireland. The application is being reviewed by the Ohio Historical Society at this time.

Larry Webb gave trustees an update on the renovation of the house on Third Street by Vantage Career Center’s Buildings and Grounds class taught by Larry Mengerink. The students are remodeling the front rooms of the house to serve as a welcome/research center and gift shop.

Webb also told members that the 1917 Overland car owned by the Wassenbergs has been purchased and will be transported from Naples, Fla., to Van Wert in the near future. The money to acquire the car was provided by The Van Wert County Foundation, Citizens National Bank, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, First Bank of Berne, Randy Myers of Leland Smith Insurance Services and accountant Rick Sealscott. The restoration work will be under the supervision of Dave Kirchenbauer.