Fort Recovery Historical Society and Fort Recovery Retail Merchants are launching a cooperative endeavor as they take part in the Ohio Open Doors Initiative. Fort Recovery's Open Doors will take place on Saturday, September 8 from 10:00 to 2:00. Admission to all designated places is free during that time. Visitors are invited to start at the Fort Recovery Museum Porch to pick up a map of the many places that can be visited.
Having their Doors Open will be the Fort Recovery Museum, the old Opera House (above Brockman's Appliances), The Battle Murals, and the Retail Merchants Establishments of the community. There will be a number of other places to visit listed on the map. Each of the sites will be offering their business and/or building histories. Of particular interest will be the following:
The State Museum, which will be celebrating its 80th birthday party that day with balloons and cupcakes! The Museum building was a Works Progress Administration (WPA)project of 1938.
The Opera House, a rare and unique structure was the center of community activities in the early 1900's. The old stage with gas lights is all intact. Past visitors have found it fascinating. Opera Houses like this were generally found in Protestant villages as they did not have the large churches like the Catholics in which to hold functions. Mary Ann Olding, a preservation specialist, will be present to answer questions.
The Murals of Fort Recovery will be another feature of Fort Recovery's Open Doors. The artist, Dan Keyes, himself will be present at the site of the 1791 and 1794 battle murals to offer commentary of the mural subjects and artistry.
The Businesses and their buildings' histories were researched by Helen LeFevre who in 2016 published a book containing that information. That information and more will be available at the merchant establishments of the town.
All Ohio Open Doors events are free. Most are special one-day-only opportunities.
About 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.
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the Act has proven instrumental in transforming the face of communities from coast to coast, establishing the legal framework and incentives to preserve historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites. It drives economic revitalization by attracting investment, supporting small business, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating jobs.
The Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office administers the National Historic Preservation Act in Ohio. Many of the landmarks featured in Ohio Open Doors events are in the National Register of Historic Places, which the National Historic Preservation Act created.
“Ohio Open Doors shares stories of important landmarks right in our backyard, highlighting the history and unique nature of some of Ohio’s most treasured historic places,” says Burt Logan, executive director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection.
For more information about Ohio Open Doors, visit ohiohistory.org. For more information about the Fort Recovery event, call 419-375-4384.
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