Ohio Local History Alliance

"Twelve historical venues across Northwest Ohio are coming together to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a new interactive experience.

The 2026 Time Travelers is part of the nationwide America 250 initiative, which aims to connect citizens with the nation's history.

The program is looking to encourage people to explore local history."

Time Travelers program highlights local history across Northwest Ohio Twelve historical venues across northwest Ohio are launching a passport program tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

In case you missed it, nominations are now open for our 2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards!

Visit our website to learn more about eligibility requirements and categories: https://ohiolha.org/what-we-do/outstanding-achievement-awards/

Visiting Museums and Historic Sites Can Slow Aging: Visiting museums and historic sites has been linked to slower biological aging in new research. A study from the University College London suggests that regular engagement with cultural experiences supports healthier aging, even when accounting for other lifestyle factors. It’s a compelling reminder of how history organizations contribute to community well‑being.

Arts and cultural engagement ‘linked to slower pace of biological ageing’ Research from UCL suggests visiting art galleries or museums, singing and painting can help improve health outcomes

Each year at the Ohio History Day contest, the Ohio Local History Alliance sponsors a Special Prize, awarded to two projects that make exceptional use of local history sources.

The Junior Award (grades 6-8) went to Gabe E. & Bodi E. (pictured here) for their project "The Bridge that Changed America."

The Senior Award (grades 9-12) went to Avery H. for a project called "Breaking the Chain: Akron Workers, Strikes, and Labor Reform."

Congratulations to Gabe, Bodi, and Avery!

"Each year on Memorial Day the Sherman camp hosts a morning ceremony at Woodland Cemetery where more than 500 Union Army veterans are buried."

Area group connects Civil War descendants to history through Memorial Day traditions He was visiting his great-grandfather’s grave at the Old Greencastle Cemetery in Dayton a few years ago when he noticed a group of people mowing the grounds and trimming the

"Tucked away off County Road 7 in Plain City sits a small cemetery that many drivers may never notice. But beneath its aging headstones lies a significant piece of American history.

The cemetery is home to hundreds of marked and unmarked graves dating back to the Revolutionary War. While some memorials remain easy to identify, others have become weathered, broken or nearly impossible to read after centuries of exposure.

Now, a Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland troop is helping uncover those forgotten stories."

Girl Scouts help preserve Ohio's history in the Revolutionary War While some memorials remain easy to identify, others have deteriorated. Now, a Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland troop is helping uncover those forgotten stories.

We love to see member organizations making the most of their connections!

This past week, members of our team drove up to Imagination Station in Toledo. We dropped off production script drafts from the original Star Wars Trilogy, from The Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy Arts. We are thrilled to partner with them for their wonderful exhibition, Unofficial Galaxies, opening Saturday May 23.

After leaving Toledo, we stopped and visited our friends at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum for lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour. It's always enlightening to talk with folks who have managed successful museum collections and grounds, and we are grateful for their collaboration and expertise!

Between the Ohio Local History Alliance and the Ohio Museums Association, there are so many ways for museum professionals to connect across the state. We believe that learning from and with each other is crucial, and consider ourselves lucky to be part of an amazing network of colleagues and coworkers.

Ohio has more than 4,000 buildings and sites in the National Register of Historic Places and thousands more than that tell communities' stories. Share your community's historic places during Ohio Open Doors, which will run from September 10–20, 2026.

To participate:
-Host at least one 2-hour history or preservation-related event from Sept.10–20, 2026.
-Ensure the event is free, open to the public and abides by laws and local ordinances concerning safety and access.
-Plan an event that is unique to Ohio Open Doors. Consider opening buildings or spaces rarely seen by the public, offering guided tours about a building or site's history and providing spots for coffee and conversation.

Register your event at ohiohistory.org/opendoors. The early bird registration deadline is July 13.

Ohio Open Doors - Ohio History Connection Discover Ohio's rich heritage with Ohio Open Doors. Celebrate the National Historic Preservation Act and take pride in our historic landmarks and cult

Resources for Participating in This Year’s Civic Season: Held annually between Juneteenth and July 4, Civic Season is an event that your organization can participate in to connect younger generations with civics and history. Resources you can use include programming, a toolkit, and more.

Host and Join - Civic Season Juneteenth to July 4th is Civic Season, for America's 250th and beyond. Explore what you stand for, connect with others and shape the future of our country.