Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘museum’

Noble County Celebrates America 250

This Noble County America 250 coin was designed locally.

This year the United States is commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Counties throughout Ohio are celebrating in various ways. Noble County has plans throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy.

In 1776, the land would still have been a wilderness with Indians keeping watch on any hunters or trappers that ventured that way. The first settlers in the Noble County area were New Englanders coming from Marietta up the valley of Duck Creek. The area was rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, building stone, petroleum and salt. Many were involved in farming after the Treaty of Greenville ended the Indian threat in this part of Ohio. It was among the first places in the Northwest Territory to be surveyed by Rufus Putnam and settled by Revolutionary War veterans.

The Tourist Information Cabin is located at the Noble County Fairground where July 4th celebration takes place.

250 years later, Caldwell is a thriving small town that is joining in the America 250 celebration in several ways. The celebration began with their 49th Art on the Square but this year with the square under construction, they called it Art off the Square. Besides the art displays, there were several small bands playing on a stage decorated in red, white, and blue.

Caldwell is continuing their celebration on June 29 with a movie in Floral Hall at the Fairgrounds sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Fair Board. “The Pledge” (also called “Doughboy”) stars a local actor, Barrett Carnahan, and is free to the public.

This is the 28th year for the Car Show at the Fairgrounds.

July 4th seems to be the day for the biggest events all across Ohio. In Caldwell, spend all day enjoying music, fun, and festivities. It begins at the Noble County Fairgrounds with the Noble County Cruiser Car Show – 28 years and still rolling. There will also be a Story Walk at the Fairgrounds sponsored by the 4-H Council using the book “The Flag We Love” which tells how our flag has become an enduring part of our nation’s tradition and heritage.

This is a great view of the Fairgrounds during a previous year’s Car Show.

The 4-H Chicken BBQ starts at 11 am until they sell out which is always before 3 pm. The awards will be at 3 pm. Proceeds from this event will support local 4-H members.

The Floral Hall will be a busy place with displays set up along the sides and picnic tables down the middle of the hall for eating a meal. Or you might rather bring a blanket and sit outside to have a picnic.

Floral Hall is a great place to learn more about Noble County or just sit and relax with friends.

The displays will cover a wide range of family friendly activities all in one place. There will be free gifts, kites to make, a community puzzle, temporary tattoos and more. America 250 Ohio will make available special Homecoming Kits, courtesy of Cenovus Energy. America 250 Noble and the Noble County Historical Society will have displays from 1876 to1976.

There will be representatives from 4-H, Veterans, D.A.R., and Friends for OR&W Railroad, who will talk to you about early railroads. The Performing Arts group and Noble County Genealogy will each have a table. Don’t miss the giant birthday cake!

Happy Time Pool is the perfect place to cool off during the day.

For those who want to cool off on a hot summer day, the Happy Time Pool on the Fairgrounds will be open from 11 am to 5:30 pm. A great place to relax!

Outside you will find the banner made by the Noble Correction Institute with the names of the Revolutionary War veterans buried in Noble County. There will be a handout with a list for those who want to go to the cemetery. At 5:30, there will be a short program about the Revolutionary War Veterans.

Food vendors will open at 4 pm for the afternoon picnic if you don’t want to bring your own food. Red, white, and blue popcorn will be made on site for you to enjoy. Cornhole games will be available in the afternoon.

Little Creek Band will provide musical entertainment during the evening before the fireworks.

Little Creek Band will play from 6 – 8 pm on the RO Stage. They play a wide variety of music including classic rock, prime, and newer country. Come out and enjoy this Noble County group.

The day ends at 10 pm with a fireworks display at the fairgrounds that will light up the sky. It is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses.

America 250 events continue throughout Noble County. Here are a sampling of those events:

  • Batesville, July 1, is opening a 1976 time capsule and planting a White Oak America 250 tree.
  • Belle Valley, July 11, celebrates America 250 downtown with a bounce house, games and a benefit dinner.
  • Fireman’s Festival, July 23-25, starts off with a big parade to celebrate small town Americana at its best.
  • Seneca Township, August 11, is having a homecoming picnic.
  • Thorla McKee Park Open Door, September 12, 2-4 pm, shares stories of the first oil well in America and the railroad.
  • Noble County Historical Society Open Door
  • Appalachian Foothills Fall Festival and Iron and Power Show, September 19-20, will have the Revolutionary War Veterans Banner and a giant birthday cake for America’s 250th birthday.

In 2026, Ohio has set up several America 250 Trails throughout the state to promote its history, and Noble County is included in three of those trails.

Noble County is part of the new America 250 – Ohio Transportation Trail, which includes more than 80 locations tied to Ohio’s transportation history. There are six planned routes for this Trails & Tales program.

This red caboose serves as a historical marker for the area’s railroad legacy.

The site being featured in Noble County is the Caldwell Caboose No. 33, which is located at the Thorla McKee Well Site at the intersection of state routes 78 and 584. The caboose was donated by the Clarence and Geneva Lowman family in 1993 and serves as a historical marker of the region’s railroad legacy. The BZ&C Railroad played an important role in transportation of coal, oil, timber, freight and passengers. This provided economic growth in Noble County during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The original sycamore casing can still be seen at the Thorla McKee Oil Well site.

Another exciting trail, America 250 – Ohio Innovation Trail includes the Thorla McKee Oil Well. In 1814, Noble County was the first to strike oil in North America. Silas Thorla and Robert McKee were searching for salt and came up with oil, which they sold as salve and a “cure-all” called Seneca Oil.

The Historic Jail Museum housed both prisoners and the sheriff.

For the history buff, America 250- Ohio Air & Space Trail includes the Historic Jail Museum. Built in 1882, the jail in those days was a place where both the jail and the sheriff’s residence were under one roof. See unique displays of that old jail plus more. It is located on “The Square” in downtown Caldwell.

Sounds like there are many ways to enjoy America 250. Join in the celebration of 250 years of independence with your family and friends in Noble County in 2026.

Category:

Back Roads, Family Fun, History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Village of Byesville Museum

Byesville Museum was originally First National Bank back in 1901. (All photos by Calvin Chester)

Visit the newly renovated Byesville Museum & Welcome Center at 236 Main Street. This facility is located on the corner in the historical First National Bank, which has existed in Byesville since 1901.

Byesville was platted in 1856 and named for Jonathan Bye, who had a mill there. It’s nickname at that time was Bye’s Mill. It became incorporated in 1881. A great deal of history has been accumulated over the years and some of that can be found in the Byesville Museum.

The clock was given by L.D.M. Technologies in 1998.

The museum contains a collection of antique items, photographs, and documents which chronicle the history of the area from the mid 1800s to the present. Learn more about the history of the bank and the surrounding area. You’ll find some surprises.

Mayor Jay Jackson gave us a tour of the museum.

Byesville Mayor Jay Jackson talked about the Byesville Museum and gave a tour of the facility explaining how the museum had been revitalized in the last few years after some extensive water damage. Many items were lost because of the water and they are trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Mayor Jackson stated, “I have a strong belief in history as stories of the past help us understand our heritage. The items contained here are a hidden treasure.” It takes a village to make these things work and the museum has become a place where you can find the history of Byesville and the surrounding area because of everyone working together.

Many volumes of old photos and newspaper items are available.

Learning stories of the region’s past can change the way you think about the present. There is an extensive collection of notebooks filled with old photos and newspaper items that could give hours of enjoyment.

A ticket from the Byesville Scenic Railway reminds people of the local coal heritage.

The museum includes a Resource Center with computers available where you can look for a job, work on a school project, take a class, or learn how to use the computer. Here pictures can be shared about the history of Byesville. They also developed a special slideshow of local veterans.

Veterans are honored with a display as well as medals won.

The back room is now open for displays. A special display there honors the veterans from WWII. A case contains medals that were received as well as a purple heart.

This $10 bill, national currency, has The First National Bank of Byesville printed on it.

The second floor of the museum contains boxes of treasures but there is only so much room for display. If you would like to help with this project or perhaps have something that should be added, become a volunteer so it can be opened on a full-time basis. New ideas are always welcome. If you’re interested in helping out a few hours a week, let Jay Jackson, Village of Byesville Mayor or Michael Port, Byesville Councilman, know by sending them a Facebook message.

Michael Port talks to a group of children from Nurture Daycare, who visited the museum.

Recently, a group of children from Nurture Daycare visited the museum with their teachers to learn more about how Byesville began and how it is growing today. They shared photos of Byesville’s past with them on the large computer screens, handed out two coloring pages for them to do, and showed them around the museum. These children are the future volunteers who will keep Byesville a place sharing its history. If you would like to bring a group for a visit/tour, let Mayor Jackson know so they can get you scheduled.

This old picture shows Byesville Enterprise, the local newspaper office.

The museum, operated by Byesville Historical Society, is open May through September on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11-2. It’s best to call ahead at 740-260-3088 to confirm they are open as hours of operation vary based upon volunteer availability. Check out their Facebook page listed under Byesville Museum.

Interurban tracks ran down Depot St. (now 2nd Street) in downtown Byesville.

If you are from the area, the museum is certain to bring back many memories. Having spent much of my childhood in Byesville, there are many great memories from times when we walked from The Bottom, where my grandpa had Veselenak’s Grocery. We headed downtown to Luna Theater to watch a movie, got a snack at City Restaurant, and picked up a coloring book at Jack’s Five and Dime. Perhaps you have some favorite memories of Byesville, too.

A painting of life in Byesville in 1882 hangs in the museum.

Today, Byesville is growing with many new businesses opening there. A new Patriot Park will highlight the corner of Main and 2nd Street. It will feature picnic tables, benches, new sidewalks, a gazebo, mural, a fountain, and a stage. Ideas are being discussed for possibilities to use the old Main Street School for new purposes. History continues to be made as each year passes.

This mural has recently been added to Patriot Park by artist Dean Davis.

The history of a town teaches lessons that need to be learned as our roots never change. Explore Byesville Museum when you get a chance and perhaps find a connection to your roots.

Category:

History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Deming Luna Mimbres Museum Sundry Southwest Collections

Deming Luna Mimbres Museum

Deming Luna Mimbres Museum

Variety is the spice of life…and of museums. No matter what your interests, chances are you can find something to arouse your curiosity at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum in Deming, New Mexico. Everything there is from the private collection of local residents, or former locals.

Housed in an old National Guard Armory, their unusual exhibits range from Mimbres pottery to Geodes and Gems to a Military Room. There is something that everyone can enjoy. Visiting the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum is a great chance to explore the history of Deming as well as the Mimbres heritage.

Since there is such a large variety of rooms to explore, only a few favorites will be visited here. This is one of those places where you could go back again and again to absorb the history that pours from its treasures.

Doll Room Teddy Bear Collection

Doll Room Teddy Bear Collection

The Doll Room happens to be just inside the front door so is a natural place to begin your visit.  This impressive collection contains about 1000 dolls, the oldest of which are those with China heads. Being a bear enthusiast, the teddy bear exhibit caught my eye. There is even a doll brought back by a sailor from  the rubble at Hiroshima after the Atom Bomb exploded. But there is much more in this room than just dolls.  Here you will find wonderful old books – the oldest I spotted was one by Louisa Mae Alcott, Jo’s Boys, dated 1866. Beautiful doll houses, antique toys and bears are scattered throughout the room.

Mimbres Pottery

Mimbres Pottery

Another spot of high interest is one of the best collections of Mimbres Pottery in existence. The Mimbres Indians lived in this area in approximately 1000 A.D. Bits and pieces of pottery found in the area are displayed here with the black and white pieces being a favorite of Mimbres followers. Pictures of their burial method proved interesting as the deceased were placed in the ground, usually under their houses, in an upright sitting position. Then one of their beautiful bowls was placed on their head with a hole in the top so their spirit could go to another world.

Square Grand Piano

Square Grand Piano

A square grand piano caught my eye in the solarium of the Art Gallery. Made of Brazilian rosewood with two strings per key, this 1867 treasure was created by Hallet, David & Co in Boston. Grand pianos were often the centerpiece in Victorian parlors.  Perhaps you might enjoy listening to a Brahms Waltz played on a Square Baby Grand.

An historic replica of the famous Silver Stake was on display in the Transportation Room. Back in 1881, Deming was the meeting place of the second transcontinental railroad in the United States where Southern Pacific and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads joined together with the Silver Stake ceremony. Situated ten miles east of its present location, Deming at that time was a town of tents and shacks. Author James McKenna stated, “The great event in town was either the arrival of the stagecoach or the train.”

Admission to the museum is free but donations are accepted…after you have seen the exhibits. You can’t get much friendlier than that!

Veterans ParkOutside a well-tended Veterans’ Park remembers wars, conflicts and attacks all around the world. The sign reads:

Do spread the word

Tell the passerby

That in this little world

Men knew how to die.

Deming Luna Mimbres Museum and Veterans Park can be found near downtown Deming, New Mexico just off I-10.  From the east take Exit 82B and from the west take Exit 82A. This should exit left on Pine Street, which leads right downtown. Turn left again on South Silver Street, which leads to the courthouse. The museum and park are on the left side after two blocks.

Category:

History, Museums, New Mexico, Uncategorized

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