CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
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News of the Society

Historical Society Museum Reopening Delayed Until April

3/1/2025

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Reopening of the Champaign County Historical Society (CCHS) Museum has been delayed due to a vendor’s holdup in manufacturing and shipping new display cases for the museum’s collection.

The museum, which closed to the public on December 20 to accommodate improvements to the facility, will not reopen as planned on March 4. The museum will now have a soft opening on Sunday, April 6, in conjunction with a 2 p.m. program, free and open to the public.

Regular museum hours will resume on Tuesday, April 8: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

At the April 6 program, Kalen Howell Sr. will speak about the legacy of his grandmother Barbara Howell, who was appointed in 1967 as the first director of the Head Start program in Champaign, Logan and Shelby counties.

Her memory lives on through Barbara Howell Park, 213 E. Market St., named in her honor in 1998. The Barbara Howell Park Conservancy, of which Kalen Howell Sr. is executive director, has been formed to revitalize the park and Urbana’s historic Black neighborhood, empower youth, support the vulnerable, and promote unity across diverse communities.

When the museum reopens, work on improvements will continue, CCHS Executive Director Cheryl Ogden said. Painting and recarpeting are complete and some, but not all, of the museum’s new display cases will be set up. The new cases are designed to exhibit at least 50 percent more artifacts than the museum’s previous display cases and will provide visitors a better view of the museum’s collection. Updated interpretive exhibit signage will also enhance visitors’ experience.

“We look forward to welcoming back visitors and apologize for the delay, though it’s something we couldn’t control,” Ogden said. “Once all work is complete, we will invite the public to a grand reopening event.”

About the Champaign County Historical Society
The museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, documents, and other resources from Champaign County to educate current and future generations about our history.

The museum has been located at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, since 1972. Originally established in 1934, the museum first housed its collection at the former location of the Champaign County Library on West Market Street, and then moved to the Nutwood Barn, south of Grimes Field on North Main Street.
The Historical Society is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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Museum Begins $544,000 Improvement Project

10/31/2024

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The museum's research and volunteer work area was moved from the first floor, by the entrance, to the second floor, to provide more exhibit space on the first floor. New computers and workstations will be added to this area for use by volunteers and the public (by appointment).
The Champaign County Historical Society (CCHS) is making substantial improvements to its museum at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, with the support of an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) grant of $474,243 and $70,000 raised in the society’s capital fundraising campaign.
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Entry doors and windows are already being restored on the north end of the building, facing East Lawn Avenue, which will enhance the exterior appearance of the museum. The doors and windows are expected to be reinstalled before the end of November.

Many improvements will be made inside the museum, including the first-floor collection galleries and the second-floor work, research and meeting space.


“With these improvements we’re turning a corner,” CCHS Executive Director Cheryl Ogden says. “We’re not just a repository of historical artifacts, but a place where people can learn about our history.”

New display cases will begin arriving mid-November, and the collection galleries will be repainted and get new carpet.

The new cases are designed to exhibit at least 50 percent more artifacts than the museum’s current display cases, in the same amount of floor space, Ogden says. And they will provide visitors a better view of the museum’s collection. Updated interpretive exhibit signage will also enhance visitors’ experience.

Earlier this year, in preparation for the improvements, the museum’s research and volunteer work area was moved from the first floor, by the entrance, to the second floor. This provides more exhibit space on the first floor.

Electrical work upstairs will accommodate new computers and workstations, where volunteers and the public (by appointment) will conduct research. The work area will also include a new copier and printer, which, among other tasks, will be used to create new interpretive panels for exhibits.

The second-floor area will also be available for meetings and programs.

Several changes will be made to the layout of the museum’s first floor:
  • A new reception desk will be installed at the entrance, with a gift shop
  • The museum’s Woodstock Post Office exhibit will be moved to the front of the museum, by the gift shop
  • The agricultural history section, now in the addition on the east side of the museum, opposite the entrance, will be moved to the area now occupied by the post office
  • The current agricultural space will be developed into a “small town” scape that will bring together a variety of existing exhibits related to small-town life, such as the bankers window, tin smith shop, grocery store, switchboard, theater seating, jewelry repair shop, an antique car, a display of railroads in the county, and horse buggies displayed in front of historical photo murals of Mechanicsburg, St. Paris and Urbana, where the buggies were manufactured

“These improvements have been made possible by the generosity of individuals, families and businesses who have supported our capital improvements campaign and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), through their cultural facilities grants program,” says Terry Koster, president of the CCHS Board of Trustees. “We also are grateful for the continuing support of the Champaign County Board of Commissioners.”

The OFCC oversees capital improvement funds appropriated by the General Assembly for planning, construction, renovation and expansion projects at Ohio's theaters, museums, arts education facilities, historical sites, and publicly-owned professional sports venues.
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Mike Major to Speak on Sculptor J.Q.A. Ward at History Museum on April 7

3/20/2024

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Indian Hunter Sculpture by John Quincy Adams Ward
Champaign County sculptor Mike Major will speak on the work and life of 19th century sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum, 809 East Market St., Urbana. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Ward, born in Urbana in 1830, became known as the “Dean of American Sculpture” for his naturalistic works, including the Indian Hunter, placed in New York City’s Central Park. A replica of the sculpture, commissioned by his wife on his passing in 1910, marks his grave at Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana.  
 
Major restored the Indian Hunter at Oak Dale Cemetery in 2018. He says that Ward got his start in sculpting as a youth in Urbana. He enjoyed sculpting small animals, figures on horseback, sawmills, and populated villages.

About the Champaign County Historical Society
The Historical Society museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, documents, and other resources from Champaign County to educate current and future generations about our history.

The museum has been located at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, since 1972. Originally established in 1934, the museum first housed its collection at the former location of the Champaign County Library on West Market Street, and then moved to the Nutwood Barn, south of Grimes Field on North Main Street.
The museum is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
 
Photo caption:
This photo, of the Indian Hunter sculpture at John Quincy Adams Ward’s Oak Dale Cemetery gravesite, is from the William “Bill” Whitman photography collection in the Champaign County Historical Society’s archives.  
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Christmas at the Museum Set for Dec. 10

11/3/2023

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Christmas at the Museum
The annual Christmas dinner will be held Dec. 10, 2023, beginning with a social hour at 4:00 pm.  Dinner, catered by Amy Forest of In Good Taste Catering, will be served at 5:00 p.m. by the Girl Scout Troop #32191 and adviser, Ashley Skinner. The cost will be $20.00 per person paid in advance.
 
The social hour will offer beverages and a charcuterie service of assorted cheeses, veggies, and crackers. The meal will include brown sugar glazed spiral sliced ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans almondine, rolls, butter, and assorted small bite desserts. Beverages of water, tea and coffee will be available.
  
To ensure everyone can have a comfortable dining experience, we have a reservation limit of 60 people. The dinner is not limited to CCHS members. Feel free to invite your friends! Call the Museum, 937-653-6721, Mon – Fri 10-4 and Sat 10-2 to reserve your spot. (Reservations are not final until the money has been received.)
  
Holiday music, flickering candles, delicious food – who could ask for more! 

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Picnic on the Lawn Set for August 27th

7/28/2023

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Champaign County Historical Museum Picnic on the Lawn
Celebrate the summer and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying a delicious lunch at the Museum. With the support of The Peoples Savings Bank, the 3rd Annual Picnic on the Lawn will be held August 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Bring your friends and savor the delicious chicken salad, yummy croissant, baked beans, and pasta salad served by In Good Taste Catering. Top it off with home baked berry cobbler, iced tea or lemonade…what could be better?
  
Tickets are $12.00 per person and are available at the Museum, The Peoples Savings Bank or on this website. Ticket sales end Aug. 23. No tickets will be available the day of the event!
  
See you at the “Picnic on the Lawn”!
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2023 Calendar of Events

12/30/2022

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Are you interested in finding out what we have planned for 2023 here at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum? Take a look below to see our full calendar of events for the year and fill your calendar with your favorites!
*All events are subject to change.
​January 22     Annual Membership Meeting          2:00 p.m.

February 26    Black History Month Presentation  2:00 p.m.

March 23        Antique Appraisal Fair                    5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
 
April 14          Dr. Robert Kroeger                           12:00 p.m. 
                         Round Barns of America   
                        Book Signing and Barn Stories
 
May 20-21      Mid-American Band Organ Rally  10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
                         https://www.mechanicalmusic.org/band-organs
 
July 16            Ice Cream Social                               2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
 
August 27       Picnic on the Lawn                           1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
 
October 1       Oktoberfest                                        10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 
November 5   Bowling Party                                   1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
 
December 10  Christmas Dinner                             4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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Chester Hooley Exhibit Open House at the Museum Dec. 8

11/30/2022

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Chester Hooley art exhibit
The Champaign County Historical Society is currently working on a new exhibit featuring local artist Chester Hooley. This exhibit will feature Hooley’s watercolors as well as some of his other works. 
 
The exhibit will open to the public on December 8, 2022, at an open house event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be refreshments available.
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Avoiding Scams Program Nov. 13

10/21/2022

 
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On Sunday November 13, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Champaign County Historical Society, Sergeant Todd Pratt and Sgt. Shawn Schmidt will be speaking with those in attendance about current Scams and how to avoid them and how to spot a scam. These scams are commonly started via phone and email and include Charity Fraud, Online Dating Scams, Identity Theft, IRS imposter Scams, "You Won" scams, Work from Home Scams, etc. ​

CCHS Set to Host 50th Annual OktoberFest on Sunday, Oct. 2

9/26/2022

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2022 OktoberFest
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Champaign County Historical Society Museum (809 E. Lawn Ave. Urbana, Ohio)

Admission is $3.00 per person, cash only at the gates.

Celebrating our 50th Year, this Oktoberfest promises a day of fun for the entire family! The museum will be open to explore, and the grounds will be full of crafters and artists selling hand thrown pottery, candles, wreaths, holiday décor, pumpkins, woodcrafts, scented oils, bath bombs, handcrafted soaps made with natural and organic oils, handmade quilts, jewelry, and lots more! There will be games for the children and decorated pumpkins to buy!  
 
Returning is Schmidt’s Restaurant from German Village, Columbus. They will offer Bahama Mammas, knockwurst, German bologna, German potato salad, kraut, sweet red cabbage, pork or chicken brats, and their famous jumbo cream puffs! If you have not had one, you do not know what you are missing! Heavenly!
  
Returning, also, is Poppy’s Smokehouse Food Truck with their bbq ribs and pulled pork and pulled chicken. Layla’s Sweet Treats will once again offer premium hand-dipped ice cream in cups, waffle cones, milkshakes, and sundaes!! 
  
Joining us this year is The Fat Straw Co., offering Tiger, Taro, Peach, Dragon Fruit and Tropical milk teas, chai, lemonade, and strawberry matcha.
 
Joining us, also, is Carter’s Chimney Cakes Food truck. A chimney cake is a traditional Hungarian dessert or Eastern European Street food. It is simply a sweet dough wrapped around a spit cooked over a rotisserie grill, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious toppings are then added such as Oreos, cinnamon sugar, coconut, and sprinkles. When stood up straight, the hot steam comes out from the top of the cake looking like a chimney. They can be made traditional cake style or as a cone filled with goodness. This is a traditional Oktoberfest food and one we are excited to offer our guests!
   
A local favorite, Farmer’s Daughter will be offering their homemade specials and various vendors will be offering cookies, French macarons, breads, kettle corn, and other delights!
  
No Oktoberfest is complete without beer – and we will have a beer trailer offering a variety of your favorites!
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Delicious food, live entertainment, and an admission price of only $3.00 – what could be better? Mark your calendar and don’t miss this day of fun for the whole family!
 
Oktoberfest is the largest fundraiser for the Historical Society.

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Champaign County Historical Society Hosts Picnic on the Lawn

8/30/2022

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The Champaign County Historical Society hosted a Picnic on the Lawn on August 28th. Attendees enjoyed summer breezes, live music, each other's company and a Sunday afternoon lunch of chicken salad on a croissant, baked beans, cookies, iced tea and lemonade catered by In Good Taste Catering. Pictures from the event are below. Click here to see our upcoming events!
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    Champaign County Historical Society Board President

    Terry Koster

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Champaign County Historical Society Museum

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Visit Us!

809 E. Lawn Ave.
Urbana, OH 43078
HOURS
Tue-Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sat: 10am - 2pm
CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL MARCH 4, 2025

Contact Us

937.653.6721
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