MANSFIELD — More than a century of historical warfare is on display in all aspects this weekend at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
Now in its 46th year, the Ohio Civil War and World War I & World War II Show opened Saturday morning. The two-day event attracts thousands of visitors to the city.
It offers something for anyone interested in warfare history, from 1775 to 1945 — including hardcore re-enactors and memorabilia dealers/collectors.
The first Ohio Civil War Show was organized by Don Williams nearly 50 years ago in Ashland. Williams’ children, Greg, Wayne and Teresa (Williams) Drushel, have co-managed the show since the passing of their father in 2009.
Greg Williams said carrying on the show is exactly what his father would’ve wanted.
“We’re doing this to carry on (Don’s) legacy,” he said.
Ohio Civil War Show began with 60 tables
The first Ohio Civil War Show took place in 1977 at the Ashland Armory and included 60 tables of military memorabilia.
Having outgrown the founding location, Greg said the show moved to the campus of Ashland University in 1979.
“It grew up to 500 tables. We outgrew that (Ashland) facility,” he said, adding the show was moved to the Richland County Fairgrounds 31 years ago.
The show now features more than 750 tables of military memorabilia from 1775 through 1945 for buy, sell, trade and display — making the event the largest show of its kind in the country.
Exhibitors from 26 states are represented at this year’s show, Greg said, the farthest coming from Hawaii.
“It’s still growing today,” he said. “If you look around today, you’ll see now we have more mechanized (equipment) coming in. We’re trying to do that, with weather permitting.”
He said as time goes on, the show has continued to evolve with the inclusion of World War I and World War II memorabilia and demonstrations.
Ancestor’s Civil War involvement inspired Williams
Don Williams became interested in the Civil War after learning of an ancestor’s time serving in the 208th Pennsylvania Regiment.
“He (ancestor) was wounded at the Battle of Petersburg,” he said.
“The (bullet) went through his elbow, right above the right arm and above the left breast. He was hit twice at the breakthrough at Petersburg.
Greg said his family possesses the bullet which pierced their ancestor and lodged into his jacket. The Williams’ also have his prosthetic limb, he added.
“If you look at his photo we have, I’m a dead ringer,” Greg said. “I’m the same height as he was and (have) the same color of eyes.”
“That’s what got dad (Don) interested and we grew up with it. It’s ingrained if you call it that, so that’s why we do it.”
Show, demonstrations continue Sunday
Activities resume Sunday at the Richland County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be an outdoor church service for re-enactors, exhibitors and the public on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the flagpole.
One of the weekends’s most popular demonstrations comes when eight Civil War cannons are fired, drawing a crowd on the west side of the fairgrounds. The cannons will be fired Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
A medical air evacuation squadron from World War II will host demonstrations Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The 73rd OVI Regiment Band will perform at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the Nature Park Stage.
An actor portraying former President Abraham Lincoln will be presenting his Gettysburg Address at noon, in addition to providing a historical presentation at 1 p.m.
The Marlboro Volunteer Traveling Museum will offer a display of history from the Revolutionary War up to current times — including military vehicles.
Items such as books, images, photographs, paper goods, Civil War prints and some women’s apparel will be available to the public and collectors.
Admission is $7. Children 11 and younger are admitted for free. Parking is included in the price of admission. Food will be available for purchase.
(Below are photos from the 46th Ohio Civil War Show. The two-day event opened to visitors in Mansfield on Saturday morning at the Richland County Fairgrounds.)
