WARREN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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We've got History on our minds...

Artist John Vakaleris donates work to be sold

6/28/2019

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​Internationally recognized artist, John Vakaleris, recently wrapped a month long show of his work, that was on display in the Mote Gallery, at Harmon Museum. To show his appreciation, the artist has donated his work, Vakaleris Vacation, to Harmon Museum, with the intent that the piece be sold and proceeds used to benefit the museum. The work is oil on canvas and measures 30" x 30". The painting is currently up for sale at the artist's suggested price of $3,600.
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International History: Summer Solstice

6/21/2019

 
This morning (June 21st), the sun rose on summer and the longest day of the year. Solstice is Latin for "sun standing still," which references the sun's placement in the sky, in this case, at it's highest point of the year.
This day has been celebrated for thousands of years and is one of the first astronomical observations of humankind.
Long thought to be an ancient site for such observation, Stonehenge (5,000 years old) is visited each year by thousands to view this morning's sunrise. You can too with the new 360 degree camera they recently installed; just turn the clock back to sunrise by clocking the blocks at the top (23:54 our time and has a yellow box around it).
Happy Solstice and happy Summer!

International History: Apollo 11 Moon Landing

6/20/2019

 

Fifty years ago today, 600 million people watched with bated breath as "the Eagle" would successfully land on the surface of the moon and Neil Armstrong would utter those now famous words: "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." What the 600 million people may not have known was the stories behind that small step.

The Eagle lander had never been tested in the conditions before. Neil Armstrong and crewmate Michael Collins gave it a 50/50 shot at returning. President Richard Nixon prepared two speeches; one if the lander returned and another. "Fate has ordained that the men who went to the Moon to explore in peace will stay on the Moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice."

With even odds, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Neil Armstrong embarked toward the surface of the moon, a NASA landing program guiding them in. The program was to ensure the lander did so safely, however, part way into the process, the two men realized that the program was guiding them to land straight into a crater in which taking off from would have been nigh impossible. Armstrong got the go ahead to take control of the helm and land the Eagle in a new position, safely outside the crater, having only 20 seconds of landing fuel left. (Here's a wonderful video of the 13 minutes leading up to and the actual landing.)

The 600 million people watching Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon did so via an 80ft satellite in Australia. Only having confirmed a live broadcast several weeks before, NASA wasn't sure what to expect. On the day, they came to discover that, due to the positioning of the Earth and their satellites, the Eagle lander's signal wouldn't be receivable by NASA until several minutes AFTER this historic event. Not only would the millions of people around the world miss the landing but NASA would not have contact with its astronauts or their vitals during this crucial phase of the mission. Luckily Australia wasn't in the space race with the US. 

Armstrong would become the "first man" to step foot on the moon. Interestingly enough, on previous exploration missions, the commander would always stay behind while the subordinate did the exploring. Stories vary if NASA thought Armstrong should go first or if Aldrin deferred to his CO. In either case, Aldrin would still get to leave his footprints on the moon's surface 20 minutes later. However, out of jealousy, Aldrin took only five photographs of Armstrong while on the moon. The sixth image comes in the form of Armstrong's reflection in Aldrin's visor.

Michael Collins, often the forgotten member of Apollo 11, sat and had "a lonely cup of coffee" while Armstrong and Aldrin were on their mission. I'm sure he, as much as anyone, was glad his crewmates returned for their four day voyage home.

Harmon Museum: Harmon Bear

6/15/2019

 
We have a new mascot here at the Warren County Historical Society and his name is Harmon Bear! This adorable little guy is quite clever for having a head full of fluff! Keep up with Harmon's adventures around Harmon Museum and Glendower Mansion on our Facebook page or YouTube channel!

Brides of Yesteryear, 100 Years of BridalFashion

6/15/2019

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Harmon Museum's newest exhibit, "Brides of Yesteryear", is now open.  Featuring more than 25+ wedding gowns worn by Warren County brides between 1870 and 1970. This retrospective of wedding fashions includes photos of the brides wearing the gowns on their wedding day, along with information about the fabric and embellishments used to construct the dresses.
Lisa Holz, a Harmon Museum volunteer and costume historian curated the exhibit under the director of Textile Curator Jeanne Doan. A team of volunteers worked with Holz and Doan to create the exhibit from early February until April 12 when the exhibit opened.
“We are very lucky to have a large collection of soft body mannequins made by past textile department staff and volunteers so we are able to display these fragile dresses without stressing the seams or otherwise damaging the clothing”, said Textile Curator Jeanne Doan. “Our textile collection is our single largest collection at Harmon Museum and we work very hard to preserve and conserve each piece so visitors can enjoy these beautiful creations for years to come”.
Holtz was also be the speaker at an extremely well attended Lunch & Learn, of the same name, on June 12th. 
The exhibit is open through November 2019.  Hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is $10.00.
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Oral History: Zach Lykins (Afghanistan)

6/15/2019

 
In continuing with the family tradition, Zach Lykins joined the Armed Forces. He chose the Marine Corps and was immediatly sent to Afghanistan right out of high school. Listen to his oral history in the interview below.

Exhibit: Brides of Yesteryear

6/13/2019

 
Harmon Museum's newest exhibit, "Brides of Yesteryear", is now open.  Featured are more than 25 wedding gowns worn by Warren County brides between 1870 and 1970.  This retrospective of wedding fashions includes photos of the brides wearing the gowns on their wedding day, along with information about the fabric and embellishments used to construct the dresses.
Lisa Holz, a Harmon Museum volunteer and costume historian curated the exhibit under the director of Textile Curator Jeanne Doan.  A team of volunteers worked with Holz and Doan to create the exhibit from early February until April 12 when the exhibit opened.
“We are very lucky to have a large collection of soft body mannequins made by past textile department staff and volunteers so we are able to display these fragile dresses without stressing the seams or otherwise damaging the clothing”, said Textile Curator Jeanne Doan. “Our textile collection is our single largest collection at Harmon Museum and we work very hard to preserve and conserve each piece so visitors can enjoy these beautiful creations for years to come”.
Holtz was also the speaker at an extremely well attended Lunch & Learn, of the same name, on June 12th. 
The exhibit is open through September 28, 2019.  Hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is $10.00.

Local History: The Golden Lamb

6/11/2019

 
Jonas Seaman traveled from New Jersey to the Ohio Country and bought a $4 license to operate a “house of Public Entertainment” on Broadway in the newly-founded village of Lebanon in 1803. He probably never have imagined that more than 200 years later his establishment would still be offering food and lodging for travelers. Today, the Golden Lamb is recognized as the oldest continually operating business in Ohio.
The Golden Lamb owes its early success due to location – halfway between the great river town of Cincinnati and the National Road (now U.S. Route 40). Seaman’s establishment got its name from the sign hung outside the business – an image of a golden lamb – because many early travelers could not read.
Robert Jones took over the property in 1926 and began transforming it into the restaurant and hotel that it has become. The Jones family still owns the Golden Lamb today. A fire at the Golden Lamb in 1928 forced the Jones’ to purchase second-hand pieces to replace furniture that had been lost. Little did they know their purchases would become a beautiful collection of Shaker artifacts and rare antiques that are still in use today throughout the restaurant and hotel.
Throughout its 200+ years, the Golden Lamb has hosted, entertained and provided lodging for many notable guests, but none more honorable than 12 United States presidents. From its early days as a stopping point between Cincinnati and the National Road to its historic legacy as a political stop in a battleground state, United States presidents have visited the Golden Lamb before, during and after their time in our nation’s highest office. Presidents that have visited the Golden Lamb include:

  • John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. president (1843)
  • Martin Van Buren, 8th U.S. president (1842)
  • William Henry Harrison, 9th U.S. president (1825, 1840)
  • Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. president (1839)
  • Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th U.S. president (1867)
  • James A. Garfield, 20th U.S. president (1871)
  • Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. president (1883)
  • William McKinley, 25th U.S. president (1889,1893)
  • William Howard Taft, 27th U.S. president (1898)
  • Warren G. Harding, 29th U.S. president (1910, 1914)
  • Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. president (1968)
  • George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. president (2004)

Artist Spotlight: Frank Lloyd Wright

6/8/2019

 
Today (June 8th) in 1867, American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, Frank Lloyd Wright was born. Even while his mother carried him, she believed he would become an architect. Little did she know, he would go on to become one of the most brilliant and sought after in American history, even being named the American Institute of Architects’ “greatest American architect of all time.”
During his career, spanning over seven decades, Wright designed 1,114 architectural works (532 were realized) including Falling Water, Taliesin West and the Guggenheim Museum. Warren County actually boasts one of Wright's designs as well.
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." Wright had a spiritual and romantic view of nature. This philosophy was the basis of all his work and can be seen throughout his designs. "The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built."
In a time of heavy pollution due fossil fuel emissions, destruction of once preserved land for immediate gain, floating islands of trash in the ocean, and the of re-evaluation of what constitutes an "endangered species," Wright's views and designs are more relevant than ever.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."


Other Frank Lloyd Wright facts:
  • His mother decorated his childhood nursery with engravings of English cathedrals.
  • In 1909, Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney eloped, abandoning their spouses, children, and lives (including Wright's practice) to spend a year together in Europe.
  • In 1914, while Wright was away on business, a disgruntled servant at Taliesin set the structure’s living quarters on fire before murdering seven of the home’s residents, including Mamah Borthwick Cheney.
  • Wright distained other architects and refused to join the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
  • Wright became the father to the modern Ranch house when he was asked to design an inexpensive home for America's  troops and the families they wished to start, following the events of World War II.
  • Though little documentation exists, it is said that Wright designed dresses for his wife Olgivanna and others.
  • Wright was an avid car collector. This influenced the ramp design of his final design, the Guggenheim.


International History: D-Day

6/6/2019

 
"On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France... More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops." - Army.com
I've had the privilage to visit the beaches at Normandy. I've walked among the debris, lingering still, a quiet testimonial to the carnage that took place 75 years before. That day the brave soldiers of the Allied Forces stormed across the open sand, under a hail of heavy fire, toward the Nazi bunkers above. I've felt the gravity of the space but I can not even begin to fathum what it was like that day.
"They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side. To them, we have a solumn obligation." - Chester W. Nimitz
Without their sacrifice, evil may have been allowed to consume more than it had.
"Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill
___________________________________________
Nathaniel Grauwelman is the Marketing Manager for Warren County Historical Society.

Artist Spotlight: Beth Gully

6/4/2019

 
​Beth Gully began creating upside-down images when she accidentally dropped a doodle on the floor. When she picked it up, she saw, amazingly, another image. Upon additional sketching she created her first ambigram. (An image that can be inverted to become something different)
Now, one of 100 recognized ambigram artists worldwide, Beth has created a niche for herself. Using her talent, she has created two children’s books that are full of beautiful pictures, that when turned upside down, show an entirely new set of images. Beth has won 13 awards for her books including a gold ADDY award in Cincinnati, a Gold and two Silver Summit International Awards. Her Christmas book was awarded the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval and her Easter book, "The Other Side of Easter" was awarded the 2019 Bronze Enduring Lights Medal in the Christian Children’s Books category at the Illumination Book Awards.
Beth started her graphic design business, BT Graphics, in 1990 and her experience continues to nurture her presentation and leadership skills enabling her to thrive as a successful entrepreneur and author.
Beth lives in Lebanon, Ohio with her husband Dave, and enjoys traveling, taking walks, playing guitar, and mentoring young artists.

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