SIDNEY — The Shelby County Historical Society completed its 22nd year since its 1993 reorganization and 15th full year in the Ross Historical Center with much activity including the opening of the Barbara Adams Research Center, the visit of the Traveling Vietnam Wall and Field of Valor, and the purchase of the Shelby County Historical Society Annex.
Tilda Phlipot, director, has submitted the following report:
The Society continued telling Shelby County Journey Stories in 2015 by hosting the Year of Valor. SCHS Volunteers created an exhibit that told of the sacrifices the men who have protected our freedoms have made from the Revolutionary War to the present. The Year of Valor climaxed with eight days of programming honoring these men. Starting with the creation of the Field of Valor containing 1,000 flags, the week continued with a living history program at the Monumental Building describing the Valor of Shelby County men and the numerous awards for Valor they have received, and the North Street Bridge rededication to those who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country. One of the highlights of the week was the thousands of Shelby County residents lining the parade route, while 2,500 motorcycles escorted the Traveling Vietnam Wall from Wapakoneta to Custenborder Field. The Sidney Civic Band performed a patriotic concert, an antique car show highlighted cars from the Vietnam era, and SCHS hosted a 5K Run to the Wall. The activities closed with a mass and flag retirement ceremony including the reading of each soldier honored in the Field of Valor.
Our Just for Kids program started in February as fifth-graders from across Shelby County traveled to the Ross Center for the Coming to America exhibit to learn the great courage needed to emigrate to a new land. It continues on May with Civil War Day for all eighth-graders.
Later in the month the Society partnered with Shelby County Soil Water District, Koenig Inc, the Antique Tractor Association, the Sidney High School FFA and Shelby County Farm Bureau to host a multi age-group program entitled Adventures in Agriculture at Whittier Elementary School. Students from Longfellow School were treated to a Native American Adventure at Tawawa Park created through a partnership of the Shelby County Soil and Water District, the Bentfinger Foundation, the Antique Tractor Association and the Sidney High School FFA.
In October, Pioneer Days was held at the fairgrounds for fourth-graders. Other children’s programming during the year included the Fall Festival, DARE, Kids Around the Square, Neighborhood Night Out, An Evening with a Hero, and the Christmas of YesterYear craft projects done as an open house that hosted over 800 people on a single Saturday!
The Ohio History Connection honored the SCHS and the Ft. Loramie Historical Society with the History Outreach Award for the “The Greenville Treaty Line” program held in September 2014.
In 2016 the Shelby County Historical Society will continue its “Journey Stories” by featuring “Intrepid Women from Shelby County.” The exhibit will open in late April 2016.
On April 28, 2016, Rich Wallace will present “Intrepid Women of Shelby County: Guided by Courage.” During June we will host our annual Graceland Cemetery Tour. Sherrie Casad-Lodge will portray Ida Haslup Goode “Guided by Faith.” In August, Sidney native Catherine Vernon, International Attorney, will share her story “Guided by Leadership.” In August the Society will present “Morality vs Jobs: The Alcohol Wars in Sidney” at Temperance Lodge 73
In September we will host a Civil War Living History presentation at Tawawa Park with Civil War reenactors from all over the country travelling to Sidney to participate.
The year ends with Angels in the Attic and Christmas of Yesteryear.
