McBride House offers a glimpse back in time

Many of the home's original and donated items have historical meaning.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
HUBBARD -- If you're intrigued by the history of Hubbard and yearn to learn more, a good place to visit is the two-story McBride House.
The home at 27 Hager St., built in 1883, was the site of a three-hour open house Sunday. The event was designed to showcase a variety of artifacts and other items of historical significance that have been donated or collected over the years.
"There's a lot of history here," said Cecelia Cooper, tour director and a member of the Hubbard Historical Society.
The open house and tour took visitors through three rooms on the first floor as well as into the three upstairs bedrooms. In several rooms are photographs of members of the McBride family, who owned the residence in the early and mid-1900s.
Many original items from when the McBride family lived there remain, including several chandeliers, a china closet, a grandfather clock and a dress worn by Ethel McBride for her wedding in 1909. An original upstairs bathtub and sink remain, as does much of the home's hardwood flooring.
Members of the historical society bought an early-20th century stove at an auction for $5 that's fully functional, said Betsy Thompson, an archivist. The house also has a Victorian pump organ as well as teapot and teacup collections.
Records
The upstairs contains a series of ledgers from the 1880s through the 1920s including volumes of records kept by Hubbard Dollar Bank, G.M. McKelvey Co. and Buckeye Coal Mining Co. The McKelvey Co. started in Hubbard before moving to Youngstown, Cooper said. On display are McKelvey business transactions and other records from 1897 to 1926.
In one of the bedrooms were numerous farm and other artifacts such as a chicken nester, a three-tier panel filled with straw to allow chickens to lay eggs; a branding iron used on animals; and a grain scythe. The scythe is similar to a sickle and was used to chop wheat and other grains. Most of the items were donated.
The McBride House has undergone several renovations and some additions since it was donated to the historical society in September 1997. The restorations were completed in 2001.
"Most of the house we've redone, yet we haven't changed [much of the original look] to speak of," Cooper said.
Raising money
Historical society members hold various fundraisers each year such as selling raffle tickets for a quilt at their November banquet and hosting an annual High Tea that includes tea, pastries and other foods.
The next tea event begins at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at the house. Cost is $10, and reservations are required. Make checks payable to the Hubbard Historical Society and mail them to Nancy Praznik, 134 Buckeye Drive, Hubbard 44425.
The historical society conducts free monthly tours. Tours also can be set up for schools and various groups.
"The goal of the historical society is to preserve the history of Hubbard for the coming generation and save as much as possible," Thompson said.
For information about tours or the tea event, call Cooper at (330) 534-4247.