2022 Events & Tours

HISTORIC TALKS, TOURS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM OUR GREAT LOCAL HISTORY SITES.
New this year – we will be promoting tours and programs from some of our Erie County Historical groups.

Remember, some of these events are Walking Tours – please wear appropriate shoes and outerwear and prepare to stand or walk for at least an hour.
Noon presentations at the Sandusky library are lunch talks so bring a Brown Bag lunch.
Some events require prior registration – contact the approrpate group for more information.

MAY
May 28 – Spanish American War Cemetery Walk 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Jeremy Angstadt of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at Oakland Cemetery to explore and learn about the lives of veterans of the Spanish America War and Erie County’s contribution to the war.

JUNE
June 11 – Underground Railroad Cemetery Walk, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Jeremy Angstadt of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at Oakland Cemetery to learn about the Underground Railroad in Sandusky and the people who helped freedom seekers to safety.
June 21 – A Carousel Museum in Sandusky. Why Here?  12:00 Noon. Bonnie Behm of the Merry-Go-Round Museum presents this program at the Sandusky Library. Come discover why there is a carousel museum in Sandusky and why it is located in the old Sandusky Post Office building in Historic downtown. Learn about the exhibits found inside the round fronted building located on the corner of Jackson Str. and Washington Ave., and how it is ever-changing.
June 25 – Railroads in Sandusky, 10:30 am. Ron Davidson of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at Mylander Park fountain to learn the history of local railroad lines and their importance to Sandusky’s development.
June 27 – Walking Tour of Huron’s Old Plat Homes, Lakefront Park Gazebo, 6:30 pm. The Huron Historical Society. Huron was platted in 1824.  Meet at the park for a guided walking tour passing some of Huron’s oldest homes and churches. 45-60 minutes. Reservations recommended.
June 28 – Encore Presentation of Commercial Fishing, 6:30 pm. The Huron Historical Society. Huronite Bill Scott shares his family’s history in the commercial fishing industry.  Meet at 1611 Sawmill Parkway for a fascinating collection of photos and the history of what was once the most prosperous fishing harbor on Lake Erie in the 1800s. 60 minutes. No reservations, but arrive early for parking and seating. Reservations recommended.
June 29 – River Walk of Huron’s Waterfront Business and Industry, Lakefront Park Gazebo, 6:30 pm. The Huron Historical Society. Huron had prosperous shipping, shipbuilding, dock, fishing, and rail industries.  Meet at the park for a guided walking tour that highlights these industries as well as the history of the lighthouse. 45-60 minutes. Reservations recommended.
June 29 – Railroads in Sandusky, 2:00 pm. Ron Davidson of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at Mylander Park fountain to learn the history of local railroad lines and their importance to Sandusky’s development.
June 30 – Presentation on “Life as a Great Lakes Merchant Marine Captain,” South Shore Marine, 6:30 pm. The Huron Historical Society. Meet at 1611 Sawmill Parkway where Captain Russ Brohl will share his story advancing from his boyhood job as a Miller Ferry deckhand to captaining freighters on the Great Lakes and ferries to the Bass Islands.  60 minutes.  Reservations recommended; but arrive early for parking and seating.

JULY
July 4 – $2.00 admission 11-4 pm at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.
July 13 – Spanish American War Cemetery Walk  6:00 pm. Jeremy Angstadt of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at Oakland Cemetery to explore and learn about the lives of veterans of the Spanish America War and Erie County’s contribution to the war.
July 19 – Shipwrecks and Archaeology 12:oo Noon. Carrie Sowden, Archaeological and Research Director at the National Museum of the Great Lakes presents this program at the Sandusky Library. Follow the entire stream of the archaeologist form research to discovery to investigation and finally to analysis and publication. Along the way examples of Lake Erie shipwrecks are used to highlight each step.
July 19 – Phillips House Tour 7:00 pm. Hosted by the Berlin Hts. Historical Society
July 23 – Castalia Cemetery Walk  10:30 am. Ron Davidson of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at the Castalia Cemetery to learn about some of the history and people of Castalia and its surroundings.
July 26 – Celebrate National Carousel Day 10 am with discounted admission of $2, includes one ride on the carousel at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.
July 27 – Castalia Cemetery Walk  10:30 am. Ron Davidson of the Sandusky Library will lead this walk. Meet at the Castalia Cemetery to learn about some of the history and people of Castalia and its surroundings.

AUGUST
August 11 at Noon – Directory Assistance: Finding Your Family History in City Directories, the Sandusky Library – Looking for records in-between U.S. censuses that may reveal your family’s relationships, movements, occupations, and other stories? Directories may help you build year-by-year narratives about their lives. You’ll learn what’s in city directories, how to explore them in major online collections and elsewhere, and how to use them in conjunction with other resources to reconstruct more detailed, nuanced narratives about your family’s history. Registration recommended but not required. Virtual link available for at home viewing: https://events.sanduskylib.org/event/9092500

August 13 – Killers on Kelleys Island: The 1911 Triple Homicide on the Island 10:30 – Jeremy Angstadt of the Sandusky Library presents this program at the Kelleys Island School. In late September of 1911, three bodies washed ashore on Kelleys Island. Learn about how these three men were murdered and the story of their murderers.

August 16 – 12 Noon – Hidden History of Northeast Ohio – Mark Strecker, author and historian presents this program at the Sandusky Library. Mark will discuss the origin of his book detailing an event-filled overnight research trip and the confederate plot to liberate the POW camp on Johnson’s Island.

SEPTEMBER

September 10 — Abraham Lincoln – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

September 17 — Amelia Earhart – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

September 17 – Ohio Open Doors: Follett House Museum & Sandusky Library Archives – 10:15, 1:15, and 3:15 – Join Jeremy Angstadt, Museum Services Manager, and Ron Davidson, Special Collections Librarian, to get a look at some of the behind-the-scenes areas of the Follett House Museum and Sandusky Library Archives. Along the way, you’ll learn more about our collection, what goes into making an exhibit, and how items are preserved.

September 24 — John C. Fremont – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

September 24 – Women of Oakland Cemetery Walk – 10:00 and 2:00 – Join the Sandusky Library on a walk through Oakland Cemetery and learn about the historical women of Sandusky. As this is a walking tour, please wear appropriate shoes and outerwear. Prepare to stand or walk for at least an hour.

OCTOBER
October 2 – If Tombstones Could Talk Cemetery Walk of the Brownhill Cemetery, 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Hosted by the Brownhelm Historical Society, met at the cemetery, 3025 N Ridge Rd, Vermilion, OH 44089. Come stroll once again through the Brownhelm Cemetery where you will step back in time and meet some of Brownhelm’s earliest pioneers and residents. You’ll hear stories from tour regulars like Colonel Henry Brown, who will share the history of how Brownhelm came to be, but you’ll also hear from some new residents as well! You won’t want to miss our costumed re-enactors as they share their life stories in a program that “brings history to life!” Check back for more information about tickets in September!

October 8 – YOU ARE INVITED TO THE ALMON RUGGLES DEDICATION – We will be hosting an official dedication of this marker on Saturday, October 8th at 2:00 pm at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Berlin Township. Everyone is welcome. The marker was actually installed a while back, but with the Covid situation, we felt it was prudent to put off the official dedication ceremony.

October 8 — Rutherford B. Hayes – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

October 8 – Sand Hill Cemetery Walk – 10:30 am – Join the Sandusky Library Meet at Sand Hill Cemetery in Castalia (corner of Mason and Skadden Roads) and learn the history of this community cemetery and some of those buried there. As this is a walking tour, please wear appropriate shoes and outerwear. Prepare to stand or walk for at least an hour.

October 12 – Sand Hill Cemetery Walk – 600 pm – Join the Sandusky Library Meet at Sand Hill Cemetery in Castalia (corner of Mason and Skadden Roads) and learn the history of this community cemetery and some of those buried there. As this is a walking tour, please wear appropriate shoes and outerwear. Prepare to stand or walk for at least an hour.

October 12 – A Sloth in the Attic – 6:30 pm – Dr. Brian Redmond, of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will tell the tale of the discovery and analysis of some ancient mysterious remains that had lain forgotten for almost 100 years in the Firelands Historical Society Museum attic in Norwalk.  the presentation will be at the Vermilion-on-the-Lake Clubhouse – 3780 Edgewater Blvd. Vermilion, Ohio. Appetizers, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Guests may bring their own beer or wine. Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased with credit card at: https://firelands-arch.ticketleap.com/a-sloth-in-the-attic/ Or, if you would like to use Venmo, contact Mr. Brian Scanlan at [email protected]

October 15 — Valley of the Kings – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

October 17 – Genealogy Class for Beginners – 6:00 pm – At the Sandusky Library – Members of the Huron County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society presenters. Learn how to begin the process of researching family history and become familiar with the available genealogical resources in the area. REGISTERS IS REQUIRED as class size is limited to 10. Textbooks will be provided.

October 18 – Haunted Put-in-Bay – 12 Noon a Lunch & Learn (at the Sandusky Library) presentation by William Krejci, author and investigative historian. Behind Put-in-Bay’s breathtaking scenery and wild nightlife is a side of the island that will make your hair stand on end. Explore the ghostly legends behind some of Put-in-Bay’s popular landmarks.

October 20 – Genealogy Class for Beginners – 6:00 pm – At the Sandusky Library – Members of the Huron County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society presenters. Learn how to begin the process of researching family history and become familiar with the available genealogical resources in the area. REGISTERS IS REQUIRED as class size is limited to 10. Textbooks will be provided.

October 22 — Things That Go Bump In The Night – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert returns to in-person sessions this fall at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Pre-recorded virtual sessions will be provided for those who cannot attend in person. Online admission is $5 per session or $25 for all six. Pre-registration and pre-payment for both in-person and virtual sessions are required. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact Julie Mayle, curator of manuscripts, at [email protected] to register and pay.

NOVEMBER
November 13 – Erie County Historical Society holds it annual meeting at the Sandusky Yacht Club. Yes, there will be food (that great Sandusky Yacht Club buffet) as well as a few silent auction baskets. 
MENU – The amazing Commodore Buffet – with house salad, dinner rolls, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, Carved top sirloin, seafood scampi, green beans almondine, roasted redskins, and veggie pasta and bread pudding for dessert. YUMMM
SILENT AUCTION – There will be a silent auction with a lottery tree, wine and liquor baskets, and more! 
GUEST SPEAKER – Jeremy Angstadt of the Sandusky library      

November 15 – Native Cultures Through Time, 12 Noon – a Lunch & Learn presentation (at the Sandusky Library) presentation by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. For 12,000 years or more, Native Americans have been living in Ohio. From the Paleo-Indians, through the mound building of the Woodland tradition, to the historic tribes, evidence in the form of artifacts, reveals their lifestyles. Become an archaeologist through this introductory program and discover clues to the past.

November 16 – Women of the Great Lakes – 7:00 pm presentation by Brian Shifflet at the Laning-Young Research Center, 9 Case Avenue, Norwalk, Ohio.  From lighthouse keepers to authors and even fur trappers, learn how these historical women were making waves. Refreshments Served. http://www.firelandsmuseum.com/

November 22 – Book presentation on the American Crayon Company – 6 pm at the Sandusky library. John Kropf, author presents. Thje American Crayon Company was a major business in Sandusky for more than a century, employing many local residents. John will discuss his book about the company and have a book signing after the discussion.

November 25 – Follett House Museum Holiday Open House – 6-8:00 pm. Join us for one of Sandusky’s treasured traditions. The museum will be decorated in all its holiday splendor and refreshments will be served. There will be live entertainment provided by members of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra.

November 26 – Follett House Museum Holiday Open House – 6-8:00 pm. Jon us for one of Sandusky’s treasured traditions. The museum will be decorated in all its holiday splendor and refreshments will be served.

DECEMBER 2022

December 3 and 4 – Candlelight tour of Sandusky homes – 5 – 9 pm – Sponsored by the Old House Guild of Sandusky Tickets will be available in November. Tour some of Sandusky’s most historic houses fully decorated for Christmas.

December 3 – Follett House Museum Open for the Old House Guild Candlelight Tour of Homes – 5:00 to 9:00. Another opportunity to visit the Follett House Museum in the evening and decorated for the holidays. there is no charge to visit the museum.

December 4 – Follett House Museum Open for the Old House Guild Candlelight Tour of Homes – 5:00 to 9:00. One last opportunity to visit the Follett House Museum in the evening and decorated for the holidays. there is no charge to visit the museum.

December 20 – Bonds of War: How Civil War Financial Agents sold the World on the Union – Tuesday at 12 Noon – a Lunch & Learn presentation by Dr. David Thomson, historian and author. How does one package and sell a war? This was the problem for the financial house of Jay Cooke & Company. A son of Sandusky himself, Cooke was entrusted by the US government with an unprecedented sale of bonds to finance the Union war effort in the early days of the American Civil War. From Maine to California, and in foreign halls of power and economic influence, thousands of agents were deployed to sell a clear message: Union victory would unleash the American economy.