MANSFIELD — Thomas French created worldwide impact with his textbooks on mechanical drawing and engineering, and as the architect of Ohio Stadium. But his roots were planted in Mansfield. Thomas Ewing French was born Nov. 7, 1871 in Mansfield. His father, Rev. Daniel Houston French, was 40 and his mother, Janette Helen Methven, was 31. […]
Area History
Posted inArea History
Ohio History Connection breaks ground on $25.9M Poindexter Village African American Museum in Columbus
COLUMBUS – The Ohio History Connection broke ground on May 6 for its newest historic site: the Poindexter Village African American Museum, 290 N. Champion Ave. on Columbus’ Near East Side. The innovative new museum is expected to open in early 2028. “The Poindexter Village African American Museum will connect the history of public housing, […]
Posted inArea History
The British are coming! … for America 250 event May 15 & 16 in Willard
WILLARD — Willard Middle School 8th-grade students are once again mustering into the militia for the 21st annual Revolutionary War Reenactment and Encampment. Students will bring history to life by reenacting famous events and battle scenes from the Revolutionary War, including Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and the surrender at Yorktown. Visitors are […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Mansfield Police Patrolman Frend Boals launched Safety Town in 1937
MANSFIELD — Mansfield Policeman Frend Boals had a unique idea, one born from tragedy, that blossoms to this very day. In 1937, after a child on the way to school was struck and killed by a car, Boals conceived the idea to create Safety Town. The very first Safety Town event took place at Prospect […]
Posted inArea History
Richland County’s favorite songbird makes a national impact
LEXINGTON — Richland County has been the home to many talented stage and screen performers over the years. But few, if any, have earned the acclaim of Sylvia McNair. Sylvia McNair was born in Mansfield, the daughter of George and Marilou McNair. She attended and graduated from Lexington High School. She studied violin as a child […]
Posted inArea History
Doug Theaker’s impact cuts across education & veterans services
MANSFIELD — Doug Theaker has spent a lifetime on the move, making his mark in education, veterans services and more. Attending a veterans service on Memorial Day means listening to a powerful speech from Theaker, as he offers a reverent perspective on the life of those in uniform. It’s a service he delivers annually, and […]
Posted inArea History
Jim Gorman’s legacy as an industrialist, aviator & philanthropist lives on in Mansfield
MANSFIELD — Jim Gorman’s life as an industrialist and philanthropist continues to resonate long after his death. Just a quick glance at his life might lead one to believe he’s best known as a war hero. After all, the 1941 Mansfield Senior graduate was an Army Air Corps (Air Force) pilot during World War II, […]
Posted inArea History
Hartnett’s impact stretched across north central Ohio in numerous sectors
MANSFIELD — Bill Hartnett’s influence spanned numerous locations and categories, from educator and coach to veteran affairs administration across Ohio. Bill was the only child of Jerome Timothy and Thelma (McCarter) Hartnett, born on April 3, 1932, in western Pennsylvania. The son of a railroad worker, Bill moved with his parents 13 times during his […]
Posted inArea History
CRF Museum speaker series concludes with War of 1812 program on April 20
LOUDONVILLE — The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum will host, Why the West Went to War in 1812, on Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. The program will be held in the museum at 203 E. Main Street in Loudonville. The program will be presented by Brandon C. Downing, Assistant Professor of History at Marietta College. […]
Posted inArea History
Frank Black’s Ohio Brass Co. influenced Mansfield for decades
MANSFIELD — The story of Franklin Blymyer Black is a Mansfield tale from start to finish. Frank was born on June 10, 1865 (just after the end of the Civil War) to Moses and Elizabeth Blymyer Black in a brick home at the corner of Blymyer and Marion Avenues. He was one of three children, […]