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New Beaver Township Historical Society location to open this month
NORTH LIMA
After years without one, the Beaver Township community soon will have a place to remember, and preserve, its history again.
The Beaver Township Historical Society, which has been inactive for the last several years, has moved into a new location and will open to the public later this month. The society now occupies a former classroom in the old South Range High School, 11836 South Ave., which now is home to a mini-business incubator.
The new home of the historical society will showcase local history, and members are asking for the community’s help to do that.
“We want the community to support us, whether they want to volunteer to help us or donate pictures,” said Scott Conway, historical society member.
Right now, the classroom is filled with artifacts previously donated to the society, panels about various aspects of the community, and old Vindicator articles highlighting major events in the township’s 200-plus-year history.
“I’m just thrilled we can put it out there and let people see it again,” said Conway.
The mini-museum, still a work in progress, has information and artifacts about local history ranging from local churches to the North Lima Grange to the fire department.
One panel highlights the historic Firestone mansion, which was destroyed in an arson last year.
“What a tragedy, because it was a gem of our community,” Conway said, looking at an old photograph of the sprawling structure that sat next to Pine Lake.
Other panels have class yearbook photos and team sports pictures as part of a collection that society members hope will grow.
“We’re hoping as people come here, maybe they’ll recognize an old teacher, or maybe their own picture is here,” Conway said. “We want to try to highlight the faculty, the sports teams, the students.”
On one wall in the room, the names of 500-plus World War II veterans from the area are posted, along with letters that were sent home during the war.
Old Vindicator articles spotlight events such as a sesquicentennial celebration in August 1953 and a December 1954 front-page headline that reads “Turnpike Opens” over a sprawling aerial photograph of the road winding through patches of green space.
Part of the society’s mission, Conway said, is to show younger generations what life used to be like in their community.
“I think we’re just trying to highlight the township. We need to be able to preserve our history,” he said.
The historical society will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 19, after which the museum will be open three days a week. To get involved or donate, call Conway at 330-549-9552.