On March 26 and 27, the Marion County Historical Society hosted “A Night at Heritage Hall,” two evenings of self-guided flashlight tours throughout the museum, a historic 1910 Federal Post Office.
For the nearly 300 adventurers who took the opportunity to experience Marion County and Ohio history, organizers say it was an exciting night with surprises around every corner. Intrepid explorers found over 50 characters each night ranging from Native Americans and pioneers to President William McKinley and even a Vietnam soldier on patrol.
In the lower level Florence Harding and Carrie Phillips discussed Warren G. Harding while Marion Daily Star Newsboys sold papers under Florence’s supervision. The Guthery General Store shopkeepers were hard at work selling penny candy to visitors and Rebecca Aye taught subscription school in her cabin while struggling to contain her busy toddler. In the Industrial exhibit Scioto Ordnance employees told the story of WWII efforts back home, Edward Huber discussed his many contributions to Marion Industry, an Isaly Milkman sold milk and Mike the Tool Guy dispensed tools from the Tool Crib.
In the upper level Samuel Saiter carried on his undertaking business while a grave sitter watched for “ressurectionists”. Phillip Phillips child prodigy singer and hymn writer told folks of his humble upbringing and Clarissa Francis a Waldo millinery sold her hats. Annie Anderson, 1862 resident of Marion, collected goods for the U. S. Sanitary Commission while Ken Cramner told visitors of making sodas during his days as a soda jerk and simultaneously tried to evict Phyllis Hendrix, a flapper who had taken up residence at his soda fountain.
Only at “ A Night At Heritage Hall” could visitors meet Bert Bowen who regaled them with his tales of riding with General George Armstrong Custer, converse with Trella Hemmerly Romine about the origins of Hemmerly's Flowers and then visit with President William Mckinley. Meanwhile, Ulysses S. Grant spent his time between politicking and explaining himself to the Union soldiers from the 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry who were imprisoned at Andersonville and were under guard by a Confederate Soldier. Visitors also had the opportunity to speak with Tom Lyons, a notorious Delaware roaming the area and then met a more peace-loving man in the person of Solomon Journeycake.
The event was inspired by the movie “Night At the Museum” where good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is hired as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History and discovers that all the exhibits come to life after the sun sets. Rachel Kaeser of Columbus and Carol Bowman of Marion won DVDs of the movie as door prizes.
The Marion County Historical Society would like to thank the many “characters” and other volunteers who helped make the event so successful. Many volunteers who assisted did so through the Disney Give A Day, Get A Day program and also through Thrivent for Lutherans who helped sponsor the event with a matching fund grant.
Night at Heritage Hall bought in about $2000 to support the museum’s daily operations and is expected to continue to grow as an annual event on the last full weekend in March every year.
If you would like to become more involved at Heritage Hall, there are many volunteer opportunities open. Memberships to the Marion County Historical Society may be purchased online at http://www.marionhistory.com/join_us.htm or you may send check or money order to Heritage Hall, 169 East Church Street, Marion OH 43302. For more info call the Marion County Historical Society at 740-387-4255 or email [email protected].
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