Solon Historical Society
33975 Bainbridge Road
Solon, Ohio 44139
Established 1968
Solon Historical Society’s 43nd Year -1968-2011
DID YOU KNOW… As we celebrate the Civil War Sesquicentennial we should remember those brave Solon volunteers who wore the blue of the Union army. Over the course of the war one hundred and eight enlisted and forty were drafted. Among the first nineteen to volunteer after President Lincoln’s call for seventy five thousand volunteers in April, 1861 was Sheridan Elmore Bull. SOLON HISTORY FOR SALE Your Solon Historical Society after much demand has reprinted two books. The first one is the 1991 issued 120 page “Pictorial History of Solon”. This contains historical pictures and a brief written history of Solon. This second printing has additional pictures and updated text. The second book is author Nelson Bard's “Pioneers with Web Feet”. This extensive history was originally published for Solon's 1970 Sesquicentennial. The Society refers to this book as their bible whenever questions arise as to our towns’ beginnings and growth. These hard cover books are available for $29.95 each. Don't miss the opportunity to add these to your library or to give as gifts. The first edition printings sold out rapidly. CRAFTERS WANTED This August 21st we are planning an old fashioned craft fair that will showcase early American crafts. Our plan is to demonstrate the many skills that our ancestors learned to provide basic living necessities. These encompass food, clothing, household furnishings and entertainment. The craft demonstrations needed are: Spinning and weaving, quilting, bee keeping, wood carving, candle making, butter churning. chair caning, apple butter and cider making, soap making, popcorn popping, fiddling, zither/dulcimer playing, enactors in costume, face painting and ice cream making. If you demonstrate any of these skills and enjoy meeting people then join us for this family friendly Sunday. With your help we would anticipate this becoming an annual event. Contact Joe Baumann at 440-248-6419 to sign up. The redesigned Solon’s The remaining portion of the town center puzzle encompasses the MUSEUM VISITORS AND ROAD SHOWS This past year our docents had many opportunities to guide individuals and groups through the museum. The most enjoyable visit was with the Kluter Family which was having a family reunion here in Solon where they grew up. Their mother Elsie Kluter was our dynamic Society President in the 1980’s. Our docents also enjoyed taking artifacts to Solon’s Lewis, Roxbury and Your Historical Society, with your membership support, again granted financial aid to two college bound Solon High School Seniors. Receiving the 2010 awards were Devon Orr and Alison Pohle. We wish for these talented students a successful college experience that prepares them to be earnest contributing members of society. Grant application forms are available at the Last August we held our 25th annual car show. The day was sunny and pleasant but only a handful of cars participated. It appears as though our car show has fallen victim to too much competition for the available antique cars. On any given Sunday in the summer there are numerous competing car shows. We had our good times over the years with up to 40 cars participating. We thank those car owners that supported us so faithfully in our peak years and wish them safe motoring. To suspend our car show was frustrating, but maybe our craft fair will be a worthy replacement The Society participated in last summers Solon Home Days. Our booth had Solon’s restored 1929 fire truck as a backdrop with a slide show of photos from the Society collection. We initially participated in the purchase of this long lost truck which then began its restoration process. Society members at the booth sold newly republished history books (article in this Hoodlebug) and answered many questions about Solon and our Historical Society. The Society’s Program Guide and this Hoodlebug are mailed to previous Society donor members in hopes of renewed memberships. The statistics from last year show a significant loss of members. We hope that for whatever reason that people didn’t renew, that this year they and many new members will give support to our efforts. Our operating budget depends on these memberships. We have fixed expenses in addition to elective programming and scholarship grants. So please renew or newly join us as contributing supporters of this community enhancing organization. Year: 2008 2009 2010 Income: $3224* $5291* $1832 Expenses: 1912 5216 2801 Gain/loss 1312 75 (969) Balance: 7597 7672 6703 * includes special donations MEMBERSHIP BY CATEGORY Year: 2008 2009 2010 Sustaining: 25 26 - Patron: 14 26 39 Sponsor: 22 26 25 Benefactor: 11 15 12 Founder: 4 7 5 Total: 76 100 81* * see membership drive comments THIRD GRADE STUDENT VISITS Over 300 Solon third graders visited the museum in 2010. This continues to give the students a “hands on” experience, actually viewing artifacts seen previously only in textbooks. They learn to appreciate their modern society over the hardships of the early pioneers. Our docents look forward to these yearly visits and upon reflection think they do bring to life for these eager minds the early Solon culture. You may e-mail us at shistorical@aol.com You may visit our web page at www.solonhistoricalsociety.org NEW 2011 OFFICER BOARD See You At The Museum! The historical society offers to bring Solon’s history to your club or organization. Using our extensive picture collection and informative discussion of our history, our docents present an enlightening program. If you would like a road show program or a guided visit to tour the museum, an appointment time can be arranged. Please call us as this is our mission to inform everyone of our local heritage. YOUR TRASH OUR TREASURE? Most of all the museums artifacts have been donated by interested local residents. These donations are used to tell the story of Solon's’ past and how daily living evolved through innovation of household gadgets, tools and changing apparel styles. We appreciate the foresight of all of our donors in recognizing that when “things” become obsolete, because of ever evolving methods of running our households, that these “things” historically can tell a story of how we got here from there. Your historical museum is not a repository for everyone’s’ trash but we ask that when a decision to save or trash is required, that we are involved to ascertain if a story can be told by our museum by being presented with the item. Sometimes we already have a similar artifact, but if what is being offered is a better example it could replace our current displayed item. Settlements of estates of our loved ones often are overwhelming – What can I do with all that old stuff? Well you might contact us to see if some of the stuff would make a welcome addition to our displays to add to our story. The old saying is that “Someone’s trash is another’s treasure.” Don’t forget your keeper of living memories – The Solon Historical Museum! See You At The Museum!
TOWN
18th
FINAL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW
SOLON HOME DAYS PARTICIPATION
2011 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
E MAIL AND WEB ADDRESS
MUSEUM VISITS AND ROAD SHOWS