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Wanted: History lovers to help Beaver Creek State Park
EAST LIVERPOOL
The Friends of Beaver Creek State Park is looking to drum up support for the historic Pioneer Village, run by volunteers and supported through community donations and fundraisers.
Volunteer Evelyn Koch, a retired teacher, said it would be nice to attract other educators, history buffs and students who are interested in the preservation of local history.
Koch called the volunteer organization “a dynamic group of people” but said many of its members are aging and others are dealing with ailments that limit their involvement.
“We’re struggling for volunteers,” she said, explaining much work needs to be done in the village, including bat control and some repairs. “With more volunteers, we could do so much more.”
The village is within the park, 8 miles north of East Liverpool. It’s made up of buildings that represent life in an Ohio village during the 1830s. They are open to the public on weekends between May 1 and Oct. 31.
Park structures date back to Ohio’s early pioneer days through the Victorian period and include Gaston’s gristmill, a blacksmith shop, a schoolhouse built from logs, general store, Vodrey chapel and a covered bridge.
The village is maintained by the Friends organization, which has pancake breakfasts the third Saturday of each month between May and October to raise money. A craft show takes place the first weekend of October during the park’s Pioneer Days event.
Kevin Stanton, the organization’s president, said volunteers can put in one or two day’s work if they don’t want to become a member of the Friends group. Membership costs only $3 per year, he said.
The most help will be needed during the village’s open season, especially during monthly pancake breakfasts, Stanton said. Experience isn’t needed for much of the work, such as demonstrating historical items when tours come through.
“Sometimes we just need manpower to get things done,” he said, explaining there are many projects that would be perfect for area Boy Scouts.
Pioneer Village offers an educational experience for people of all ages, Stanton said. The park and village have annual visitors that come from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Akron.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources calls Beaver Creek State Park, at 12021 Echo Dell Road, one of Ohio’s most scenic parks.