Historical Societies
THE RICH HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY
Local Historical Societies are proud to display and discuss the rich history of Wayne County and their communities. Whether your interest lies in research or simply exploring the past, these independently operated historical societies offer an exciting glance back in time for visitors and residents.
Apple Creek Historical Society
Under Construction on Church St., Apple Creek; 330-264-4189
Call for information.
Chippewa-Rogues Hollow Historical Society
PO Box 283, 17500 Gale House Rd., Doylestown 44230; 330-882-3375; E-mail: marymertic@juno.com
Hours: May-Labor Day, Sun. 1-4PM
County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes Counties
PO Box 614, Shreve Town House, 150 W. McConkey St., Shreve 44676; 330-567-2501 or 220-567-2722; E-mail: countyline1@aol.com
Hours: May-Oct., 2nd Sat, Noon-3PM; or by appointment
Creston Historical Society
c/o Creston Library, Corner of Erie and Main St., Creston 44217; 330-435-6796
Hours: Mon., Tue., Thur., 10AM-8PM; Wed., Fri., 10AM-6PM; Sat. 10AM-2PM
Dalton Community Historical Society
115 E. Main St., PO Box 273, Dalton 44618; 330-828-2221
Hours: By appointment only
Fredericksburg Community Preservation Society
198 Mill St., Fredericksburg; 330-695-7475
Call for information.
Kidron Community Historical Society
13153 Emerson Rd., PO Box 234, Kidron 44636; 330-857-9111
Hours: June-Sept., Th-Sat 11AM-3PM; Oct-May, Th and Sat 11AM-3PM; closed Jan and Feb; small groups by appointment.
The nationally acclaimed Kidron-Sonnenberg Heritage Center is operated by the historical society and documents the history of the Kidron-area Mennonite Anabaptists. On display are furniture, tools, arts and crafts, books, an extensive Fraktur collection, and textiles. The society contains more than one million Swiss Mennonite, German Mennonite, and Amish names.
Marshallville Historical Society
4 E. Church St., Marshallville 44645; 330-855-4041
Hours: By appointment only
The society's museum houses antiques, antique farm equipment and a Gerstenslager buggy collection. A furnished log cabin from 1830 is close by.
Mt. Eaton/Paint Township Historical Society
8626 South Market Street, Mt. Eaton 44059; 330-359-5554
Hours: May-November on the Second Saturday from 11:00 to 3:00 or by appointment
142 Depot St., PO Box 437, Orrville 44667 Judge Smith Orr House: 365 W. Market St., Orrville 44667; 330-683-8327 Museum
Hours: 2nd and 4th Sat., 1-4PM (except Dec and Jan) and every Wed 9AM-Noon for acquisitions and browsing or by appointment.
A museum full of rich Orrville history, local family antiques, and other Orrville artifacts can be found in the former Manhattan Restaurant. Also on display are industry and advertising memorabilia from The J.M. Smucker Company established in 1897, and an 1876 Reed Organ donated by Schantz Organ Company in Orrville, founded in 1873. The museum also maintains the former home of Judge Smith Orr, the founder of the city.
Orrville Railroad Heritage Society
145 Depot St., Orrville; 330-683-2426
Hours: 1-5PM, Mon.-Fri., Sat. by appointment
Rittman Historical Society
Gish Rd., PO Box 583, Rittman 44270; 330-925-7572
Hours: By appointment only
A Pioneer House from 1859 built in the Greek Revival style contains period furnishings. The Knupps Church from 1836 is also available for tours and weddings.
Smithville Community Historical Society
381 E. Main St., PO Box 12, Smithville 44677; 330- 669-9308
Hours: Mishler Weaving Mill Every Wed 1:30-4PM; All other buildings open June-Oct., 2nd and 4th Sun., 1:30-4PM; Christmas in the Village, Dec 1st 6-8PM, Dec 2nd 1:30-4PM, Groups Welcome By Appointment
Four sites are now available for tours directed by the Smithville Community Historical Society. These include Mishler Mill from the 1880s where weavers offer demonstrations; the Pioneer Log Cabin from the 1830s; the two story Sheller House, a log cabin from the mid-19th century including a carriage barn, antique farm and agricultural implements; and a blacksmith shop. A visitors center displays camera and quilt collections.
Wayne County Historical Society
546 E. Bowman St., Wooster 44691; 330-264-8856
Museum Hours: Wed-Sun 2-4:30PM; Closed Jan. and Holidays.
Office Hours: Tue-Fri noon-5:00PM
The Society offers tours of six historic buildings containing local artifacts. The Beall House (which is scheduled to re-open in 2007 after an extensive restoration) was the home of War of 1812 General Reasin Beall and was completed in 1824. Other buildings on the campus include the Kister Building (which contains a formal gallery of rotating exhibits, horse-drawn carriages, Native American artifacts, an extensive military collection, farm equipment and a research library), a replica of an 1800's firehouse (complete with antique and vintage fire trucks and firefighting equipment), an 1873 one-room schoolhouse, a pre-Civil War-era log cabin, and an 1800's general store and ladies dress shop. Group tours of the campus are available by appointment. The Society also hosts dozens of special events annually including lectures, panel discussions, concerts, and demonstrations.
West Salem Historical Society
99 W. Buckeye St., Schoolhouse Community Center, West Salem; 419-853-4703
Call for information.
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