Calendar of Events

February 18, 2026

Revitalization Series Workshop: AI for Nonprofits and Speaking to Elected Officials
Delaware, OH

The morning session will be a hands-on introduction to the core concepts, tools, and strategies related to AI for Nonprofits. Designed specifically for nonprofit leaders, this workshop will show attendees how to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline operations, strengthen engagement, and amplify the organization’s mission impact.

The second part of the training will feature an in-depth training on communicating with elected officials at both the local, county, and state levels. This session will be led by Main Street America’s Senior Director of Government Relations, Kelly Humrichouser. Participants will leave the training with an understanding of what is important to those office holders, how to communicate with them and how to craft your message specifically for elected officials.

February 25, 2026

“The Home of Tomorrow” – The Enduring Legacy of Lustron Homes Webinar

The Lustron Corporation was short-lived in out of Columbus in the 1940s but has made a long pop culture impact. The Ohio History Center has an exhibit about the 1950s with a Lustron House as its centerpiece. Two staff that worked on the research and creation of that exhibit will discuss the Lustron Corporation, its impact, and reception that the home continues to receive in the museum.

April 13-15, 2026

2026 Main Street Now Conference
Tulsa, OK

Join peers from across the Main Street network and experts in commercial district stewardship for insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and incredible experiences in Tulsa.

OMSP Monthly Reporting Webinar for 2026
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Ray Brown pitched for the legendary Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues in the years before the integration of Major League Baseball. Born and raised in Alger, Ohio, the baseball star was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2006. Despite his achievements on the field, there is not a single mention of Brown in his hometown. A multi-stage project in Alger now working to remedy this glaring omission, raising awareness for a locally forgotten legend, and creating a multi-use space that enhances the community. During the Fall 2021 semester, Ohio Northern history professor David Strittmatter tasked a team of his students with drafting an initial application for an Ohio Historical Marker to Brown. The process required the students to make contact with Alger village administrator Paul Osborne, who envisioned the marker as a mere starting point for a wider redevelopment plan of Alger Village Park. Today, the Ray Brown project is an ongoing collaboration of three entities: the Village of Alger, the ONU History Program, and Hardin County Historical Museums, Inc. This student-created website celebrates the successes of the project, describes the various components of this local history initiative, and identifies future plans for Ray Brown Memorial Park. About Our Presenter: David Strittmatter is an Associate Professor of History at Ohio Northern University, where he oversees public history initiatives. His research interests include memory, preservation, and tourism. At ONU, he teaches an array of courses from “World War I” and “History of Italy” to “Material Culture” and “Heritage Preservation.” His first book explores how English battlefields, political sites, and world’s fairgrounds developed as heritage sites. He is also the principal organizer of the Ray Brown Project, a multi-stage effort to commemorate the Negro Leagues pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer born and raised in Hardin County. For the 2025-26 academic year, Strittmatter serves as the President of the Ohio Academy of History.
The Ray Brown Project
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A 3D spatial tour offers an immersive, interactive way for potential residents, tourists, and business investors to explore your city from anywhere in the world. By creating a virtual walkthrough of key areas—downtown districts, industrial parks, residential neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and recreational facilities—you provide an engaging first impression that static photos and text simply cannot match. Key Benefits: For Business Attraction: Companies considering relocation or expansion can virtually assess commercial properties, evaluate proximity to infrastructure, and visualize their operations in your area without the time and expense of initial site visits. This accelerates decision-making and puts your city in front of more prospects. For Tourism & New Residents: Prospective visitors and residents can experience your city’s character, explore neighborhoods, and discover hidden gems before committing to a visit or move. This transparency builds confidence and emotional connection. For Competitive Advantage: A 3D spatial tour demonstrates your city’s commitment to innovation and transparency, setting you apart from competing locations. It signals a forward-thinking, business-friendly environment. Best Implementation: Focus on highlighting unique assets—historic districts, modern developments, quality-of-life amenities, and economic opportunities. Keep the tour current, mobile-friendly, and easily shareable across social media. By removing geographical barriers to exploration, a 3D spatial tour transforms your city into an accessible, compelling destination that attracts investment, talent, and visitors around the clock. About Our Presenter: Nathan Dilley is the co-owner of Geopro Imaging, LLC, where he merges cutting-edge technology with historical preservation. With over 20 years of experience working alongside local governments, he has played a vital role in safeguarding historical documents and implementing advanced software solutions. His expertise extends into 3D spatial technology, allowing him to create immersive virtual tours of historic cities and villages, bringing the past to life in a dynamic and interactive way. By blending tradition with innovation, Nathan ensures that invaluable records remain accessible while offering new ways to experience and explore historical sites. His deep industry knowledge and commitment to accuracy makes him a trusted leader in document preservation and digital transformation.
Elevate Your City’s Profile: Using 3D Spatial Tours to Drive Economic Growth & Community Development
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Between 1910 and 1970, millions of African Americans fled the rural South for cities in the North, West, and Midwest during the era known as the Great Migration. Hear how a dedicated historic preservationist, a vintage Greyhound bus, and one of the largest historic theater organizations in the country are partnering on an immersive museum experience that celebrates the tenacity of Americans who escaped the Jim Crow segregation and violence of the South for a better life in Cleveland.
The Great Migration and the Road to Freedom: Adaptive Reuse from Bus to Museum Exhibit
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Cosponsored by Heritage Ohio and other partners, Ohio Open Doors is back and scheduled for next September 10-20, 2026. That may be almost a year away, but it’s not too early to save the date! Program manager Andy Verhoff, of the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office, shares how Ohio Open Doors (OOD) can help you draw visitors to your community’s historic buildings and downtowns. Besides reviewing program goals, Andy outlines how you can participate and share ideas for successful and easy-to-plan OOD events. Ohio Open Doors has been hosted every two years since the first event 2016, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. For more about Ohio Open Doors, visit: www.ohiohistory.org/opendoors.
How to Participate in Ohio Open Doors in 2026
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The historic neighborhood of Franklinton was initially founded in 1797, 15 years before the City of Columbus, and has a rich history as both a residential neighborhood and an industrial area. Through the years Franklinton has been impacted both positively and negatively by the growth of Columbus. In recent years, the push to redevelop the area has caused many historic buildings to be lost. Schooley Caldwell was hired to survey the neighborhood and document all historic religious resources in the community before any more are lost. In addition to four sites that were already on the Ohio Historic Inventory, 11 more were identified and added to the OHI. This is the story of those properties that were once the heart of a vibrant community. Our Presenters: Melinda Shah and Amanda Fuson work for Schooley Caldwell Associates, an architectural firm founded in 1944 that has a specialization in historic preservation. In their mission to build a better world, Schooley Caldwell Associates has a strong portfolio of work in a range of public and private market types that includes civic/government facilities, academic spaces, student housing, multi-unit residential facilities, cultural and recreation facilities, offices, and mixed-use developments Nathalie Wright has been an independent historic preservation consultant since 2004 with specialized expertise with the National Register of Historic Places and historic survey programs, having served as the Survey and National Register Coordinator for the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) from 1995 to 2003. She has conducted architectural surveys on hundreds of buildings throughout numerous Ohio communities and written dozens of National Register nominations.
Franklinton Religious Resources Study Webinar
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This film premiered at the 2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival in Canton. For nearly 30 years, Heritage Ohio has supported community leaders through the Ohio Main Street Program — offering workshops, technical assistance, and professional development to help transform Ohio’s downtowns. Hear firsthand from Main Street directors in Lorain County how Heritage Ohio helps them achieve their goals and provides ongoing support to do their work with confidence, clarity, and connection.
2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival: Ohio Main Street Training & Technical Assistance
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This film premiered at the 2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival in Akron. Across Ohio, scores of vacant yet important historic buildings are being given a second lease on life, thanks to the Historic Preservation Tax Credit incentive. See how projects like the Bowery District in Akron rely heavily on these incentives to make the restoration of these historic assets possible.
2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival: Historic Tax Credits - Akron Civic Theatre & Bowery Block Projects
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This film premiered during the 2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival in Canton. Located in Northeast Ohio, Canton Ohio is experiencing a downtown renaissance that is not to be missed. Founded in 1805, this former factory town has transformed itself into a destination for arts, culture, sports, and so much more. Hear how targeted investments, public art, and key partnerships have positioned Canton as a top destination in Ohio.
2025 Heritage Ohio Film Festival: The Canton Experience
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