History will fill the rooms of the Gill House and also Fairview Cemetery this September as the historic home presents two events exploring the people, traditions and stories of Galion’s past. First comes a new program inspired by the community’s early Chautauqua gatherings. Two weeks later, the Gill House will continue its popular series of cemetery walks with an afternoon devoted to Galion’s heroes.
A Chautauqua Reborn
The first Gill House Chautauqua will take place Sunday, September 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM as part of the statewide Ohio Open Doors celebration. Rather than center the afternoon around a single presentation, the Gill House will turn its rooms into individual places of discovery. Visitors will encounter hands-on activities, demonstrations and historical displays addressing local heritage, preservation, traditional skills and everyday life in earlier generations.
Among the featured activities will be a live demonstration showing how historic photographs are cataloged and preserved and making period food. Visitors will also have opportunities to explore historical collections and learn more about the people and events connected to the house and surrounding community. The program recalls Galion’s annual Chautauquas of the early 20th century, when traveling speakers and performers brought education, culture and entertainment to the community.
It also commemorates the friendship between Nellie Gill and Mina Miller, the latter of whom became the wife of inventor Thomas Alva Edison. The two met as girls at the Chautauqua Institution in New York as Mina’s father was its founder, giving the new Gill House event a personal connection to the Chautauqua tradition.
Opening Ohio’s Historic Doors
Ohio Open Doors is held every other year, inviting the stewards of historic buildings, landmarks and other significant spaces to welcome the public for special tours and programs. Many of the experiences are offered specifically for the statewide celebration. The Ohio History Connection created the program in 2016 to encourage pride in the state’s heritage and recognize the importance of the National Historic Preservation Act.
“Ohio Open Doors shares stories of important landmarks and interesting places right in our communities, highlighting the history and unique nature of some of Ohio’s most treasured sites,” said Diana Welling, director of the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office.
Nine Ohio Open Doors events are planned in Crawford County this year, with another four taking place in Richland County. A map and details for participating locations are available on the Ohio Open Doors website.
Galion’s Heroes Take Center Stage
On Sunday, September 27, the Gill House will move its exploration of local history to Fairview Cemetery for the latest installment in its successful series of history walks. The walk, scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, will carry the theme “Heroes of Galion.” Through the people buried at Fairview, the program will share stories of local residents remembered for their courage, service or contributions to the community.
Additional information about the individuals featured during the walk will be announced on the Gill House Facebook page.
Together, the two September events will offer different ways of encountering Galion’s history: first inside one of the community’s historic homes, and then among the memorials of those who helped shape it.