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Tyler History Center hits $5M goal, opens to public
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
The Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center has cleared a major milestone in its development and is now open to the public.
The first phase of fundraising for the downtown facility has reached its $5 million goal, it was announced Thursday. Most of that amount — $3.3 million — was used to renovate the former Harry Burt/Ross Radio building in the Tyler History Center and move the archives of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society into a climate-controlled storage area in the basement of the three-story structure. The remaining amount, $1.7 mil- lion, was mainly used to establish endowment funds for the perpetual support of the Tyler History Center, and also to cover some campaign-related expenses.
H. William Lawson, executive director of the MVHS, which owns and operates the Tyler History Center, said at a news conference that phase 2 of the fundraising campaign has now begun — and is off to a strong start.
Dr. Maria Fok of Austintown has donated $500,000 toward the campaign, which has a goal of $1.5 million. With Dr. Fok’s gift, the total raised now stands at $582,843.
“It’s great to be able to start a new fundraising phase and be one-third of the way there on the first day,” said Lawson.
The money raised in phase 2 will go toward the installation of a permanent exhibit, the development of educational programs and the establishment of endowments. The goal is to open the new permanent exhibit, “The People of the Mahoning Valley,” by September, which will mark the 140th anniversary of the MVHS.
The permanent exhibit will be in the Drs. Thomas and Maria Fok Exhibit Gallery, which is the main room upon entering the building.
The Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., had been used for rentals and special events for the past year, but as of Thursday, it is now open to the public with regular hours (1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday).
Admission is $4 ($3 for senior citizens and college students, and $2 for children age 3-18). The price includes admission to the first-floor galleries, and use of the archives research facility, as well as admission to the MVHS’s Arms Family Museum on Wick Avenue.
Currently on exhibit at the Tyler Center are large-sized artifacts from the Mahoning Valley’s past, including a train car from the Wildcat roller coaster at the now-defunct Idora Park; a sound and video boom from the early days of television from 21 WFMJ-TV; a giant metal cheese bowl used by the Iseli family of Switzerland, founders of Isaly’s deli chain; and several antique pieces.
In the smaller Youngstown Foundation Community History Gallery is an exhibit titled “An Affordable Luxury: Trumbull County Clocks.”
This exhibit sheds light on the thriving — but heretofore little-known — clock-making industry that existed throughout Trumbull County between 1813 and 1835. “Trumbull County Clocks” will remain on exhibit through Jan. 4. Plans call for installing a new exhibit in this gallery every three months, said MVHS spokesperson Leean Rich.
As phase 2 of the fundraising campaign is launched, Dr. George Beelen, president of the MVHS board of directors, asked for residents to get involved. “We’re asking everyone to get some skin in the game to help us complete phase 2,” he said.
Donors will be honored with their name on an engraved metal plaque that depicts a Good Humor Bar, the ice-cream treat that was invented in the Tyler History Center building in 1920 by candy maker Harry Burt.
“History is captured here,” said Beelen. “It helps us understand the present and plan for the future. Mahoning County has a wonderful history and it will be featured here.”