The 5th Annual Harmony Lodge No. 8 Free & Accepted Masons Car & Bike Show is coming to the Champaign County Historical Museum on Saturday, Aug. 25th. More details included in the poster below.

In 2014, the Champaign County Historical Society, the City of Urbana, and others dedicated an Ohio Historical Marker at the northeast corner of Kenton and Ward Streets in Urbana commemorating the city’s first graveyard (1805-1855) and the War Council of 1812 which took place about 100 yards to the west.
 
However, last year the marker suffered significant damage and had to be returned to the manufacturer for repair.  

“We sincerely appreciate Director Brugger and the City of Urbana taking the initiative to repair and reinstall this important marker,”  said Walter.  “People need to understand that considerable research and monies go into the creation of Ohio Historical Markers and that they need to be protected.”
 
Anyone noticing attempts to damage an Ohio Historical Marker is asked to notify local law enforcement.

Our organization continues to march forward in a number of areas including the cyber world. Our website - www.champaigncountyhistoricalmuseum.org - exhibits ongoing innovation and improved accessibility, and our Facebook page is receiving a record number of “likes.”

This is most timely in that the board of trustees voted on April 25 to place a levy for “maintenance and operation” on the November ballot. As before, the levy is for 0.3 mil (3/10ths) for 5 years which would cost a Champaign County property owner about $10/year on a $100,000 property. We were only 439 votes short the last time, and we are mounting a maximum effort to pass it so that we can hire full-time staff, something most organizations of a similar nature have already accomplished; in the meantime we continue to seek volunteer assistance.

What will we do differently this time? We know that we need to reach out to younger voters, particularly in the county, and our new electronic capabilities will help us do that. Since last November we have worked steadily to bolster our presence in the community by recruiting and training volunteers to open the museum on Sundays, engaging the county schools more often and efficiently, posting Ward Lutz’s “Then and Now” and “Looking Back” items in the newspaper and on Facebook, presenting monthly programs of interest, and speaking to local groups. Moreover, Ken Wright’s Community Outreach committee is hard at work establishing partnerships in an around the villages.

The Levy Committee begins weekly meetings in June and will work diligently right up to Nov. 6. More than ever, we’ll need the support of all members to pass this issue and thus stabilize our museum operation.

Contributions made to the CCHS Campaign Committee will be deposited in the First Central National Bank of St. Paris and may be sent to CCHS, P. O. Box 65, Urbana, OH, 43078.

Thank you for your support!
-Dan Walter

As awards were presented each student informed the audience of the nature of his or her project.  One student, Bryant Chamberlain, a UJHS 7th grader (pictured), has been chosen to represent Ohio at the National History Day competition to be held at the U. of Maryland in June.  His project focused on the Toledo War.  All Champaign County schools were invited to participate.  

The Champaign County Historical Society is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that preserves, protects, archives and displays the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The Society depends upon donations and dues to provide a free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana.

From the first human hunters and gatherers, all the way up to the World Wars, from the pinnacle of man’s achievements, to some of his biggest mistakes, History of the World - With Some Jokes depicts history in a new light - a humorous one.
 
Prior to the performance, students who reached the state level in the National History Day competition this year will be recognized. The CCHS Museum will be open to the public during regular Sunday hours from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

2018 is a new year, and, despite November's setback, your historical society is taking a fresh approach for the new year.  In addition to regular Trustee meetings, the board has met informally in "round-table" style.  As we'll not be hiring staff in the foreseeable future, the discussions have centered around how best to accomplish our mission of preserving and presenting the artifacts and history of Champaign County by utilizing volunteers.

​Trustees' suggestions range from the traditional to the "out-of-the-box."  All agree that educational outreach is an important program worthy of expansion, and is underway.  Treasurer Ken Wright has submitted a written proposal for, among other things, the implementation of an extensive volunteer program.  His title, "The Path Forward," well represents our visioning process.

​A new start may include opening the museum to the Public on Sunday afternoons.  This would not happen until Spring in order to give us time to enlist from our membership a corps of volunteers who are willing to serve as trained docents.  Members who would like to become docents or to volunteer in other capacities are encouraged to contact us by phone (937-652-6721) or email (champhistmus@ctcn.net.    DW