Ohio Local History Alliance

06/19/2026

Congratulations to the Chippewa Lake Ohio Historical Society, an OLHA member organization, on the upcoming opening of their new museum!

The Chippewa Lake Historical Society will open its new museum July 3 at 7464 Lake Road on former park property.

06/18/2026

"As the country marks its 250th birthday this summer, the celebration can feel thin to people who remember the bicentennial -- and few remember 1976 the way Warren Motts does.

He spent nearly two years leading up to the 200th and after it on a train."

Warren Motts of Groveport, Ohio, who spent two years aboard the American Freedom Train, says younger generations are less connected to American heritage.

06/17/2026

"The secret sauce isn't really the AI visuals (though they're impressive). It's the perspective. Chloe works because she positions herself as a curious visitor to history, not a lecturer about it. She's learning alongside you. She reacts. She wanders. She asks the dumb-but-honest questions non-historians would ask if they felt comfortable doing so."

A museum exhibit design blog from Paul Orselli and POW! Tricks of the trade, useful resources, and exhibit-y thoughts for designers and museum folks.

06/16/2026

We've added another new position to our Jobs page! The Over-the-Rhine Museum seeks an Operations and Research Coordinator.

To post a job, email the job description, including the salary information and employment classification, to [email protected] with “Job Listing” in the subject line.

Jobs Because the Ohio Local History Alliance aims to inspire, educate, and connect history organizations across the state of Ohio, we know that a cornerstone of our community is having dedicated staff members that propel our member organizations forward. We offer our job board in the hopes of connec...

06/15/2026

"Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort may be located in Tuscarawas County, but according to local historian and Malvern native Doug Angeloni, part of its story runs directly through Carroll County.

Angeloni shared that history June 4 during a presentation hosted by the Malvern Historical Society, highlighting Fort Laurens' significance as Ohio's only Continental Revolutionary War fort and battlefield as the nation prepares to commemorate America's 250th anniversary."

Doug Angeloni discussed Fort Laurens, its Carroll County route and plans tied to Ohio's America 250 commemoration.

06/12/2026

"Cincinnati has always been at the forefront of the push for gay rights, thanks to several legal incidents and tragedies across the last few decades... In the book, Hogue challenges the prevalent idea that homosexuality is a modern invention by examining the city’s q***r history from 1820 all the way up to the Stonewall Riots in 1969."

In his new book, local historian Jacob Hogue details how Cincinnati has always been one of America's gayest cities.

06/11/2026

We're seeking nominations for our Outstanding Achievement Awards! The deadline to submit is August 1, and we have three types of awards:

🏆 Individual Achievement Awards recognize people who have made outstanding contributions to Ohio’s historical societies or history museums or to the understanding and appreciation of state or local history.

🏆 History Outreach Awards recognize outstanding projects that have educational content, that have contributed to the promotion and understanding of local and state history, and that have had an impact on the community.

🏆The Ohio Local History Alliance Champion Award recognizes individuals or groups (including public officials and others who are not local historians or local history organizations) for outstanding efforts in the support of and/or contributions to local history in Ohio.

Any person or project is eligible to be nominated for the program; however, the nominator (person or group) must be a member of the Ohio Local History Alliance.

For more information, and to view the nomination form:

Outstanding Achievement Awards Each year, the Alliance presents awards honoring outstanding work in local history in our state. Individual Achievement Awards recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ohio’s historical societies, history museums, or the understanding and appreciati...

06/10/2026

We've added a couple of new positions to our Jobs page! Youngstown State University is seeking part-time Museum Studies faculty, and the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum has released an RFP for a Collections Consultant.

To post a job, email the job description, including the salary information and employment classification, to [email protected] with “Job Listing” in the subject line.

https://ohiolha.org/what-we-do/jobs

06/09/2026

Do You Have a Plan to Sustain Engagement after America’s 250th? Attend an American Association for State and Local History webinar on June 11 to see how your organization can apply strategies to extend the life of commemorative investments, including exhibits, interpretive materials, and marketing assets. Heritage tourism strategist Heidi Schlag will share real-world experience from 7 previous commemorations.

Commemorations and anniversaries are powerful tools for raising awareness, building partnerships, and generating community excitement. Particularly in 2026, the 250th anniversary of 1776, many sites are planning exhibits, events, and projects focused on this date. But what happens after the annivers...

06/08/2026

"Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive and one of the most famous locomotives ever built. It’s enormous by any measure, stretching about 132 feet long and weighing roughly 1.2 million pounds.

The Big Boy locomotives were built during World War II to haul heavy freight over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains between Utah and Wyoming. Union Pacific had 25 of the massive locomotives built, but No. 4014 is the only one still operating."

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will make a whistle stop in Euclid on Monday, and the city is preparing for large crowds. Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 is scheduled to stop from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at the Chardon Road railroad crossing, north of Euclid Avenue. Th...