Hudson Heritage Association

10/08/2026

Reminder: Join Gwen Mayer tonight for a behind-the-scenes look at the treasures in the Hudson Library & Historical Society!

7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 8 - Welcome and reception in the Flood Room, followed by an exclusive after-hours tour. Hudson's Library and Historical Society has one of the best collections of John Brown memorabilia, a mastodon tusk, and some of the best resources to start your own research on your family genealogy or historic home.

10/01/2026

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Hudson’s history!

Join Hudson Heritage Association on Thursday, October 8 for a special evening at the Hudson Library & Historical Society featuring Library Archivist Gwendolyn Mayer.

Mayer will share fascinating stories from the library’s remarkable collection before leading an after-hours tour of the exhibits. From antique portraits of Hudson founders David Hudson and Mary Robinson Hudson to a 10,000–12,000-year-old woolly mammoth tusk, the collection is full of treasures that bring Hudson’s past to life.

Location: Hudson Library & Historical Society – Flood Room
7 p.m. – Refreshments, socializing and the program
8 p.m. – After-hours private exhibit tour

The evening is free and open to the public, so bring a friend and come discover some of the fascinating artifacts tucked inside our local library!

Help our neighbors, too: Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation for the Hudson Food Pantry. Needed items include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, tea, ground coffee, nuts, soap, shampoo, and men’s and women’s hygiene products.

We hope to see you there!

09/19/2026

HHA is proud to support this wonderful community event. Hope to see you there!

Farm Fest Rain or Shine

09/08/2026

Discover Hudson’s Role in the Underground Railroad

Join Hudson Heritage Association on Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m. for a fascinating presentation by Dave Gates of the Summit County Historical Society exploring the roles Ohio—and Hudson—played in the Underground Railroad.

Learn about the people, routes, stories, and myths surrounding this important chapter in American history, including surprising facts about “secret rooms,” chimney markings, and more.

Thursday, September 10, Barlow Community Center, 7 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Refreshments will be served following the presentation.

We hope you’ll join us for this engaging evening of local and regional history!

07/07/2026

Congratulations to the City of Hudson on the restoration of the Bandstand on the green. The newly planted trees and improved landscaping will enhance this town treasure for years to come.

07/05/2026

As Americans celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it's worth remembering that communities like Hudson exist because thirteen colonies chose a bold and uncertain path toward self-government.

The Revolutionary War officially ended with the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. In that treaty, Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States and ceded vast western lands to the new nation. Suddenly, what had been the edge of the frontier became the beginning of America's next chapter.

Those newly opened lands created opportunities for Americans. Among them was Connecticut merchant David Hudson, who would travel west in 1799 and establish the village that still bears his name.

Hudson's story begins not with bricks or buildings, but with an idea that shaped America itself: that ordinary citizens could build thriving communities rooted in liberty, education, and civic responsibility.

For more than two centuries, Hudson has reflected those ideals through its historic Village Green, commitment to education, and tradition of preserving the character that generations before us worked so hard to establish.

Throughout the summer we'll be sharing events, stories and reading suggestions that connect our nation's history to Hudson's own remarkable past.

What do you think is Hudson's greatest contribution to America's story? If there is a particular topic you would like us to explore please let us know below.

Curious to learn more about the American Revolution? Here are some book suggestions:

📖The Radicalism of the American Revolution, by Gordon S. Wood (Pulitzer Prize winner)

📖The Treaty of Paris: The Precursor to a New Nation, by Edward J. Renehan, Jr.

06/12/2026

*Edited to include information from the City
Council recently approved legislation rezoning District 11 (the former JoAnn property), shifting its intended use from tax-generating light industrial development to a broader mix of office and commercial uses, despite significant opposition from residents.

We believe Hudson residents deserve to have their voices heard, and the referendum process is the legal and appropriate way to ensure that happens. A successful referendum will place this issue on the November ballot, allowing voters to make the final decision.

Why is this important?

• The rezoning does not align with Hudson’s Comprehensive Plan, which serves as the City’s long-term guide for growth and development. If the proposed development were consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, rezoning would not be necessary.

• Large-scale planned developments are now permitted within the new District 11. Under the new legislation housing and/or grocery stores are not permitted. However, based on Hudson’s Land Development Code (Section 1204.03), housing and/or a grocery store may still be included through a variance if a developer can demonstrate that the property would not otherwise yield a reasonable return without it. **The City has shared that Section 1204.03(g) of the LDC will prevent this, but these two conflicting areas of the code could be challenged by a developer.

• The Planning Commission has requested time to address concerns within the Land Development Code, but City Council has not provided the opportunity needed to complete those updates.

• Council members and City staff have held multiple meetings with the developer, as documented in subcommittee minutes and reported by both the Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal. Meanwhile, many residents, as well as the Planning Commission, feel their concerns have not received the same level of consideration.

If you are an eligible Hudson voter and believe that voices of residents should be heard, regardless of political party or affiliation, we encourage you to sign the referendum petition. By doing so, you can help place this important issue on the November ballot and ensure the community has a say in Hudson’s future.

We need over 3000 residents to speak out this weekend. Please join us at one of these events to sign the referendum petition:

Opportunities to sign the referendum petition are:

Friday, June 12: 5:30 - 8:00, the sidewalk outside of Town Hall on the Green

Saturday, June 13: 9:00 - noon, the sidewalk outside of Town Hall on the Green

Sunday, June 14: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Drive thru signing at Barlow Community Center

Sunday, June 14: 5:30 - 7:00 pm - the sidewalk outside of Town Hall on the Green

06/11/2026

This year's Hudson Home and Garden Tour includes the Austin-Lake House - 'Lucy's House' - as one of the tour stops. This property received a 2026 HHA Preservation Award following a massive restoration under the careful stewardship of Karyl and Russ Morrison. Constructed in 1837, the Austin-Lake house is one of the five original existing homes on this block of Main Street. Lucy Lake moved in to the home in 1841, working out of the home as a seamstress and tailor.

The Tour is a rare opportunity to see the renovation, restoration and decor of this historic gem. The restoration is a great example of a successful adaptive reuse project, as the structure exists on it s original site and retains much of its original appearance and architectural intent while retaining historic integrity in design, materials, and relationship to its surroundings.

Tickets and information for the Hudson Home and Garden Tour, June 12-13, are available at www.hudsonhomeandgardentour.org.

06/06/2026

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 7 from 1:00-4:00.

Hudson Community members have drafted a referendum petition to place the District 11 zoning decision on the November ballot. Passed by City Council despite overwhelming community opposition, the residents of Hudson deserve to have their voices heard.

If you are a Hudson resident and eligible voter please stop by the Barlow Community Center tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, from 1:00-4:00 for a drive-thru petition signing event.

This is your opportunity to help our voices be heard regarding a 50-acre minimum planned development possibility in Hudson.

05/12/2026

Hudson Heritage Association recognizes that preserving the history and architecture our community prizes depends on each generation to protect the legacy they have inherited. That is why HHA is always on the lookout for opportunities to help students learn more about the individuals and events that shaped our town as it exists today.

We are especially pleased to have been invited to support two upcoming initiatives specifically designed to help younger members of our community gain a deeper appreciation for Hudson’s rich past. In June, the inaugural session of New Heights will take place -- a week-long summer program for local high school students being offered by Western Reserve Academy, Hudson High School, and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA). During the week, participants will explore historic architecture through hands-on learning and real-world examples throughout Hudson and the Western Reserve. We’ll report more on this exciting project in the fall.

This week, we invite the community to experience an informative and interactive pop-up museum created by the middle school students of Hudson Montessori School, who have been working diligently to curate a series of exhibits focused on Hudson’s heritage that will be displayed at the Hudson Library & Historical Society. The students will be available to present their exhibits on Thursday, May 14 th from 5:30-7 pm, and Friday, May 15th, from 10-11:30 am and 1-2:30 pm. The exhibits will remain on display between presentations and for a week following. HHA was pleased to provide a grant to the students to help make the project a reality – funding that was made possible by our generous members and supporters.

Please plan to stop by the Hudson Library this Thursday or Friday to meet these students and hear what they’ve learned about Hudson’s history!