MANSFIELD — Dick Baker has a love of history and Richland County. Now he’s trying to marry those two passions for the betterment of the region.
Baker, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, is the guiding force in a budding project to launch a Richland County Hall of Fame.
“I’ve seen other communities that already have something like this, and it just seems like we have a number of people from Richland County who deserve this kind of recognition, too,” Baker said. “Our history is pretty impressive.
Richland County Hall of Fame
Anyone who would like to offer a tax-deductible contribution can call Dick Baker at 419-610-4142 or email him at s_baker_44@hotmail.com.
“We want to honor those who have enriched our community’s history. Our hope is to inspire future generations to the same commitment as those before us.”
Baker is soliciting funds to get this project off the ground. He’s helped organize a Hall of Fame committee, has established bylaws and is seeking tax-deductible donations to launch a website and purchase plaques.
A home for the Hall of Fame is still under consideration, although it would not be its own-stand-alone facility. Rather, the Hall of Fame would be located in a section of an already established facility.
Inductees would include individuals from fields including Arts & Sciences, Business, Community Service, Education, Government, Military, Public Service, Entertainment and Sports.
“The purpose of this organization is to establish and maintain a Richland County Hall of Fame to honor those individuals who have made significant achievements in their chosen field, and bring recognition to our communities, county, state and country,” the organization notes in its mission statement.
“We are looking for those special people who stand head and shoulders above the rest, people who have used their time and energy to make a difference.”
Baker stated the “fun” part of the Hall of Fame will be inducting members. Right now the committee is slogging through the difficulty of raising funds, gathering information to launch a website, and settling on a site.
But Richland County is a fertile region to discuss those personalities who deserve to be remembered.
Among those who will be considered in the charter class are: eight Medal of Honor recipients, Bataan Death March survivor Albert Allen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, Ohio Brass magnates Charles King and Franklin Black, philanthropist Auntie Bradford, Harold Arlin, John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman, two-time Grammy Winner Sylvia McNair, sportscaster Jimmy Crum, actor Luke Perry, Navy nurse Norma Harrison Crotty, business leaders J.C. Gorman, Herb Rupp, Senators John Sherman and Sherrod Brown, aviator Frank Lahm and sports personalities Pete Henry and “Prince” Charles Williams are just a sampling from a myriad of worthy candidates.
Baker and his committee are hoping to finalize the finances this fall and hopefully induct an inaugural class in 2026.