Upcoming 2023 Events
Trivia @ Ohio Fire | First Tuesday of the month @ 6 p.m.
Tuesday nights just became a whole lot better in Ashland, Ohio!
Don't miss out on your chance for trivia, hand crafted pizzas, prizes, and craft beers!
Categories: to be announced. See our Facebook events pages for category announcements.
Upcoming 2023 Trivia Nights will be held on the first Tuesday of the month: June 6th, July 11th, August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, and November 7th. There will be not be a Trivia Night at Ohio Fire in December 2023.
Ice Cream Social | Sunday, June 25th
Manor House from 1 to 4 p.m.
Our annual Ice Cream Social will be held at the Manor House on Sunday, June 25th, 2023. Whit's Frozen Custard will be serving the ice cream! Free admission to our Historic Manor House, Carriage House, Noonan Museum, and Barn will all be part of the fun that day. Be a part of history and learn about life from 1860 to 1950. David Berry, an Ashland High School graduate, will provide live country music along with Robert Gregory’s traveling band organ, a calliope-style exhibit. Also on display will be our antique farm tool collection featuring plows, corn shuckers, seeder, and F.E. Myers farm implements and pumps. Lawn games and bingo will round out the activities for the day. A silent auction, featuring items such as sporting event tickets and local attraction tickets will take place as a fundraiser for the society.
Ashland Cemetery Walk | Sunday, September 24th
Ashland Cemetery from 1 to 3 p.m.
Join us again for our Cemetery Walk at the Ashland Cemetery on Sunday, September 24th. Check back later for details about the historical figures we will portray this year!
5th Annual Pumpkin Glow | Saturday, October 21st
Freer Home from 5 to 8 p.m.
Check back for details about our 5th Annual Pumpkin Glow! Some exciting changes are being planned!
Christmas Open House | Sunday, December 10th
Manor & Freer Homes from 4 to 8 p.m.
Stay tuned for updates about our 2023 Christmas Open House!
Past Events - 2023
2023 Speaker Series | Freer Home @ 6:30 p.m.
Our 2023 Speaker Series includes the following speakers:
- Thursday, January 26, 2023: Ken Hammontree portrayed Johnny Appleseed
- Thursday, February 23, 2023: Dave Roepke spoke on the Hayesville Opera House
- Thursday, March 23, 2023: Jack Colvin and Melissa Meeker will speak on the Freer Juvenile Detention Center
- Thursday, April 27, 2023: Jennifer Marquette will speak on the History of the Freer Children's Home
Ashland Model Railroaders | March 4th & 5th @ Freer Home
The Ashland Model Railroaders train show was on display on Saturday & Sunday, March 4th & 5th, at the Freer Home.
Annual Volunteer Meeting | Thursday, April 13th
Manor House @ 5:30 p.m.
Our annual volunteer meeting will be held at the Manor House. Current and new volunteers are invited to attend, as well as anyone interested in volunteering! We will discuss volunteer opportunities, both for events and for our work in the museums. Sign up sheets for our event roles and more will be provided, so be sure to attend to reserve your preferred placements!
Tea with Melanie Miller | Sunday, May 7th
Freer Home from 1 to 3 p.m.
Melanie Miller spoke on her experiences with pageantry as Miss Ohio and Mrs. Ohio America. A special exhibit featuring a collection of Melanie's pageant dresses is on display for a limited time at the Freer Home.
Past Events - 2022
2022 Speaker Series
Our 2022 Speaker Series included the following speakers and organizations:
- Jim Bennett spoke on Native American Artifacts (January 27th)
- The Ashland Model Railroaders displayed a working model railroad (February 25-27th)
- A mini Civil War show took place (April 14th)
- Colonel Robert Springer discussed NASA and Space (March 10th)
- Craig Whitmore discussed the War of 1812 (May 26th)
Annual Membership Meeting
On Tuesday, May 10th at the Freer Children's Home, Executive Director, Jennifer Marquette gave an overview of the 2021 Event year and provided data on the Society’s performance. Board Treasurer Tim Rowsey presented the fiscal activities for the 2021 year. Board members and staff were present to answer questions about our progress, events, and activities. We also welcomed suggestions from members.
Loudonville Cemetery Walk in Collaboration with the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum
Loudonville Cemetery walk, a collaborative event with the Cleo Redd Fisher Musuem of the Mohican Historical Society, brought history to life on Sunday, May 15th, 2022. This year's cast included: Peter A. Reinhard portrayed by Tom Oakes, Rhiney Schnittke portrayed by Ken Hammontree, Hugo Young portrayed by Ed Krakora, Dr. Gaillard B. Fuller portrayed by Scott Shirer, and Madge Kinsey Graf portrayed by Jennifer Marquette.
Off-Limits Tour in Conjunction with Ohio History Connection
We hosted an exclusive Off-limits tour on Sunday, September 11th, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
in conjunction with the Ohio History Connection's statewide "Ohio Open Doors" event.
Guests embarked on a tour of the Historical Society's hidden spaces at both the Manor House and the Freer Children's Home.
Visitors saw the original cistern that the Cowan family used to disperse water throughout the house at a time
when indoor plumbing was only a luxury of the wealthy, explored the basement of the house that served as a summer kitchen for the Cowans,
and saw what life was like, especially for the servants, in the late 1800's. The story of the tragic death of eight-year-old Grace Myers
was told on the porch of the Noonan house, a different house, but the same location where she fell into the basement.
The Freer Children's Home jail cells that housed troubled boys during the home's days as a Juvenile Detention facility were also opened
to the public during Ohio Open Doors.
The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio's heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the National Historic Preservation Act. Historic sites and museums participated across the state of Ohio. ACHS will collaborate with the Ohio History Connection in the future.
Ashland Cemetery Walk
Many of Ashland’s historical figures came to life through locally-talented portrayers on Sunday, September 25th at the Ashland Cemetery.
This year's cast included: Francis Enoch Myers portrayed by Ken Hammontree, William McNulty portrayed by Dave Kowalka,
Mary Brinton-Tubbs portrayed by Debbie Sickmiller, Dr. Gilbert & Mrs. Jeannette Hess portrayed by Jeff & Kim Davidson,
Robert Carson Kinnaman MD portrayed by Ed Krakora, and Nellie Topping portrayed by Raylene Hlavaty.
Pumpkin Glow | Saturday, October 22nd | Freer Home | 5 - 8:30 PM
We hosted our 4th annual Pumpkin Glow at the Freer Home on Saturday, October 22nd from 5 to 8:30 PM. This family-friendly event featured goodies handed out by local businesses, 300+ illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, food trucks, special exhibits, and Halloween music. Costumes were abundant!
Christmas Open House | Sunday, December 11th | Manor House & Freer Home | 4 - 8 PM
The public was welcomed to tour our museums for free and see our historic homes decorated for the Christmas season! The Freer Children's Home second floor exhibits were opened for the first time to the public, where a flute choir provided entertainment. Both the Manor House and Noonan exhibits were open for display. Each room of the museums featured a Christmas tree, uniquely decorated by different volunteers and businesses. Freshly baked cookies and refreshments were provided, and a contest for the best-decorated tree was held.