Friday, April 14, 2000
Historical groups build future
New HQs for Monroe, Middletown
BY Janet C. Wetzel
The Cincinnati Enquirer
There's history in the making in both Middletown and Monroe.
While Middletown Historical Society is moving into its first headquarters since the organization was founded in 1966, Monroe Historical Society is getting started on its own building.
The 1836 Pickwick Building at 56 S. Main St. in Middletown is steeped in history, making it a fitting society headquarters. Named for a Charles Dickens novel, it's the second-oldest commercial building in the city, said Brian Grant, society president.
As he and Sam Ashworth, curator of the Canal Museum, walked around inside the structure Thursday, they proudly pointed out the beautifully crafted fireplaces, shelves, ornate stairway and stained glass.
“We've been wanting to do this for decades. And it's not in too bad of shape,” said Mr. Ashworth.
As he talked, he peeled off some wallpaper and carpet that need to be replaced, and noted walls that need paint and hardwood floors that need refinishing in the 7,000-square-foot, $190,000 building.
The first-floor public area will feature the Herbert Fall Gallery, permanent and rotating exhibits, a library/
resource room and a large lobby, Mr. Grant said.
The second floor will include a large meeting room, space for archiving and storage and work areas.
“We have a number of items at the Canal Museum we want to move in here to be able to dedicate that building to canal history,” Mr. Ashworth said. “We hope to have an open house here in July.”
In one room upstairs, they dug through piles of boxes filled with the history of Armco Steel, now AK Steel, founded in Middletown in 1900.
They pointed out pictures of baseball teams the company sponsored, shells and shell casings made during World Wars I and II and other items. The society's first exhibit will recognize the company's centennial.
“I don't think people appreciate the industrial history we have in this town,” Mr. Grant said. “We hope to change that.”
In Monroe, the basement was poured this week for the society's new 4,000-square-foot museum on Elm Street, near the tiny museum space the society has leased for 10 years, said Joyce Tannreuther, society president.
The land was donated by the building owner, James Price of Middletown.
“This has been our dream for many, many years, to have a place big enough to hold a lot of our history,” Mrs. Tannreuther said.
The building will allow the society to accept large donations, provide larger exhibits and take exhibits on loan.
The society has raised $125,000 of the estimated $175,000 needed, and much of the materials and labor have been donated, Mrs. Tannreuther said. Memorial bricks will be sold for $50 each. The society hopes to have the building finished this year, she said.
To order bricks, call 539-7310.
“This will add so much to the downtown area, which we've been trying to rebuild,” she said. “And it will also be wonderful, spacious place for the future generations to come and learn about the history of Monroe.”
Middletown Historial Society Website is www.middle-america.org.
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