ARMS MUSEUM Getting a grip on history

Children got a chance to learn history hands-on.
By KATIE LIBECCO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley Historical Society celebrated its 130th Founders Day by looking to the next generation with an open house for families at the Arms Museum.
The museum provided antique photographs, a coloring contest and costumes for children. There were also outdoor pioneer games, including a bean-bag toss, graces (played with wooden hoops and sticks), sack races and a game of catch called "skittles."
As children tried on historical costumes, they laughed and complained about the clothes being hot and heavy.
"This is a great afternoon for kids and families in this area," said Judy Trickett, who brought her granddaughter to the open house Saturday afternoon.
Trickett said she had been visiting the museum for many years, and used to bring her own daughter, Jessica. Jessica Trickett is now the manager of collections and curatorial services.
There was an architectural tour of Wick Avenue for adults, illustrating the changes that have occurred on the street, and in Youngstown, in the past 130 years of the museum.
Florence Highfield, president of the Youngstown Weavers Guild, showed families how to spin wool into yarn during Founders Day.
"This is so wonderful. It's really a great event for families," Highfield said while spinning wool into thread.
She sells her hand-woven textiles and does special orders, including costumes for Civil War re-enactors.
New exhibit
The museum also debuted a new exhibit to visitors on Founder's Day -- the Ann Kilcawley Christman Hands-On History Room.
"People learn in many ways. We wanted a space that allows people a chance to learn about history in different ways and take something away from it," said James Sturgill, manager of education and external relations for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
The Hands-On Room has several display areas, including costumes, crafts, a library of books, a mock log cabin with historical replicas, board games and information and games on computers. It also features the museum's large weaving loom.
Sturgill said the Hands-On Room will continually change and update.
"We hope that it will be different each time a visitor comes," he said. "There are a lot of things we want to try out."
Although the exhibit is child-friendly, Sturgill said he expects everyone could learn something from the experience.
"There's this thing that no one can ever touch anything in a museum. Well, we're breaking that rule in this exhibit. We want people to grab things and play with them and learn," Sturgill said. "We'll try anything we can do to reach out to people."
Sept. 10 was selected as Founders Day by community members who formed the Mahoning Valley Historical Society in 1875 to celebrate a War of 1812 victory against the British by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.
More information on the Arms Museum and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society is available by visiting www.mahoninghistory.org.