Calendar of Events

March 18, 2026

Webinar: Preserving Sacrifice: Documenting Ohio’s Revolutionary War Veterans Graves and How You Can Help

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, America250-Ohio—working with the Ohio History Connection, Ohio’s State Historic Preservation Office, and Terracon Consultants—launched the Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Project. This volunteer-driven initiative seeks to locate, photograph, record inscriptions, and map the final resting places of roughly 7,000 Revolutionary War veterans and patriots laid to rest across Ohio. Attendees will learn about: The origins and goals of this unique effort, including its historical significance for Ohio’s Frontier lands (Virginia and U.S. Military Districts); The tools and your role as a Public Researcher: using the free Survey123 app to capture GPS data, photos, and inscriptions in cemeteries statewide; Best practices for field documentation, including guidance for dealing with weathered, missing, or unmarked stones; How real-time mapping dashboards and live results maps enable coordination and avoid duplication; The archive’s timeline: field data collection through end of 2025; public release by July 4, 2026; and long-term stewardship into the future.

March 28, 2026

Young Ohio Preservationists: Historic Wood Windows Workshop
Columbus

Join the Young Ohio Preservationists for a wood window maintenance and restoration workshop series with Lindsay Jones of Blind Eye Restoration.

This series will include 3-4 workshops over the course of 2026.

This first session will serve as a lecture that overviews the rehabilitation of historic wood windows, issues that they may have, and how to correct them. The following sessions will be held throughout the year as a hands-on workshop style that focuses on skills in wood window restoration including but not limited to repairing rotted wood, glazing and painting, and removal/installation. Dates and details for the following workshops to be announced.This first session on March 28th will include an in-depth lecture from Lindsay.

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.

May 7, 2026

CAMP Workshop
Newark

This one-day training is designed for members of historic preservation commissions, design review boards, planning commissions, and municipal staff who support preservation-related decision-making. Whether you’re a volunteer review board member or a city professional, this workshop is built for the everyday leaders responsible for reviewing projects, applying design guidelines, and guiding preservation efforts in their communities. The event is hosted by Heritage Ohio and the City of Newark.

May 20, 2026

Revitalization Series Workshop: Design That Drives Downtown Success
Tiffin

The morning session of the workshop will feature Magnetic Main Streets: Designing Storefronts That Invite, Engage, and Increase Cash Flow with Tiersa Wodash, founder of Brick and Mortar.

In this focused, energizing session, Tiersa Wodash demystifies what makes storefronts truly magnetic and why lighting, cohesion, and thoughtful design details matter more than most business owners realize. Designed for downtown merchants, building owners, and Main Street leaders, this workshop blends architectural insight with practical, affordable strategies you can implement right away. We’ll cover lighting fundamentals, common pitfalls, and smart exterior and interior design moves. Then translate those insights into storefront strategies that stop foot traffic in its tracks. From quick fixes to longer-term façade improvements, you’ll leave with clear next steps and tools you can bring back to your business and community.

The afternoon sessions will start with the Downtown Tiffin Facade Program and how its implementation has lead to economic vitality in the downtown commercial district. The Gossman Group will present The Importance of a Downtown Plan to your downtown’s overall success, and the afternoon will conclude with guided Downtown Tiffin walking tours.

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. About Our Presenters: Megan Wood is the Executive Director and CEO for the Ohio History Connection. Prior to taking that role, she was Director of Cultural Resources Division where she was responsible for the Ohio History Connection’s system of 58 historic sites, 1.8 million collection items, and all exhibitions across the sites. Megan obtained a B.A. in Public History from Western Michigan University and a M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. Most of her career has focused on education and learning in museums. Megan is an active member of the American Association for State and Local History and the American Alliance of Museums. Cameron Wood is the Ohio History Connection’s Story Collective coordinator. His job is to record and preserve Ohio’s stories. He has participated in over two hundred oral histories with players from the Cleveland Cavaliers, famous artists, WWII veterans, and many others. Previously, he worked as a curator for the Ohio History Connection where he oversaw the reconstruction of the Lustron House within the museum. He also supported the 1950s exhibit, of which the Lustron house is a part, by creating a hands-on collection of 1950s material for use in the exhibit.
"The Home of the Future" - The Enduring Legacy of Lustron Homes
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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
YouTube Video VVVfdi1XaXpadFRTa3ZoVHpwSmZDUzRBLmZFWElab3FFZDRn
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