Step back in time to explore the fascinating people, challenges, and pivotal moments that laid the groundwork for the Upper Arlington community as it exists today. 

Perfect for newcomers to UA and anyone curious about our community's history. Even lifelong UA residents are sure to discover something new!

Presented by Kristin Greenberg, Executive Director of the Upper Arlington Historical Society. Free to attend; no registration necessary.

A History Speaks presentation. (Note: You do not need to be a member of the Community Center to attend!)

The storied showdown between Ohio and Michigan plays out each year on the gridiron, as The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan face off in what is widely considered the most anticipated game of college football’s regular season. ESPN even ranks the Michigan–Ohio State matchup as the greatest sports feud of all time.

But where did this fierce competition begin?

Join us for a brief historical overview of the origins of this legendary state conflict, followed by a deep dive into this iconic football matchup through the present day. Calling all the sports historians, too—test your knowledge with some pop quizzes along the way! The presentation will be followed by an opportunity through UA’s Storyline Bookshop to order Steve’s Buckeye Memories book and have Steve sign. See pre-order information below….

Upper Arlington is strongly connected to this rivalry by our physical proximity to OSU, our numerous resident OSU alumni and staff, and the many OSU football coaches that called UA “home.”

Presenter:

Steve Basford, Upper Arlington High School Class of 1969, is a statistician for Ohio State home football games, a play-by-play sportscaster for Ohio Wesleyan University and Dublin Jerome High School sports, and the author of four books. The last home Ohio State football game that he missed, other than in the COVID year, was in 1970. 

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.

A History Speaks presentation.

From the moment the first residents settled in Upper Arlington, the community has faced the ongoing challenge of managing waste.

This engaging presentation traces the evolution of garbage collection in our city — from rudimentary disposal methods to the development of organized sanitation systems — uncovering the innovations, turning points, and community efforts that have contributed to a cleaner, healthier environment.

Join us to explore how the past has laid the groundwork for today’s waste practices.

Presenters:

Kristin Greenberg - Executive Director, Upper Arlington Historical Society

Brendan King - Board President, Upper Arlington Historical Society & former City Council member / Mayor

Don Leach - Trustee, Upper Arlington Historical Society & former City Council member / Mayor

Katy Rees - City of Upper Arlington, Public Service Department

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.

Look for our table at the UA Farmers Market to:

• Learn about the August Homes of History celebration and other Society events

• Pin your home on our map and confirm its age

• Give us input about UA history facts that are important to you

• Purchase UA-nique gifts (see our Shop for a preview)

We can’t wait to talk and learn with you!

We’ll be at this annual event when our high school opens its doors to alumni (and the general public) with special programming and displays.

Come visit the Upper Arlington Historical Society table near the theater to:

(1) Discuss the high school's UA history display (conveniently located on the wall behind our table)

(2) Browse through over 70 years of UAHS musical programs

(3) Share your ideas for the “top 250 facts about UA” in preparation for the America 250 anniversary in 2026

(4) Purchase UA-nique keepsakes — and avoid the shipping charges!

The Society has a table at this community event on the Mallway from 6-9pm to honor our Century homeowners, talk about creating an official “Home History File” on your UA house (regardless of its age), and share some fun UA history facts. Be sure to visit us — we’ll have treats for the early birds who come to our table!

While all are invited to attend, our current Society members will be asked to vote on candidates for Board membership. Not a current member? Join us now.

Our amazing partners at the Upper Arlington Public Library host our community’s public-facing UA Archives site, and their resources to do historical research extend much more broadly. Come with questions to ask the Library’s staff.

Join us in the Friends Theatre at Tremont Library on Tuesday, June 3 at 7pm for:

- Society’s Annual Report & Voting on Board Members

- Overview of UAPL’s History

- Deep Dive into the Online UA Archives

- “After-Close” Tour of the Upcoming “Memory Lab”

You will be the first to see the new technology coming available to the public for preserving your own historical photos and documents! All after the Library closes at 8pm.

Each year, a deceased former Upper Arlington resident who brought honor and recognition to our community is selected for the Wall of Honor, with a memorial plaque installed on the Plaza at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road. Historical Society members will receive an invitation to the event, along with guests of the families. Others are welcome to attend.

The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society are pleased to announce that Dr. Martin Peter Sayers, II and Marjorie Garvin Sayers are the 2025 Upper Arlington Wall of Honor inductees. An induction ceremony is scheduled for 3 pm, Sunday, May 18, at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road.

Dr. Sayers (1922-2013) was a pioneering pediatric neurosurgeon established and led The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. Marjorie was an avid historian who founded and served as President of the Upper Arlington Historical Society. She served as Chair, editor and contributor to Upper Arlington’s first comprehensive history book, published in 1977, with a second edition published in 1988. They were childhood sweethearts who wed in 1943 and enjoyed 70 years of marriage. They served as Grand Marshals of the Upper Arlington July 4th Parade, were founding members of Canterbury Village, and passionately supported the Upper Arlington Public Library System. 

To be considered for the Wall of Honor, a person must meet three criteria: He or she must be deceased; must have lived in Upper Arlington for part of his/her life; and must have made a significant contribution to the city, the state and/or the nation. Honorees are recognized via permanent bronze plaques on the “Wall of Honor” located on the plaza in front of the Municipal Services Center.

Join UAHS alum Bradley Frick as he describes Wendell Ellenwood's journey from Ohio State to Omaha Beach through France and Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge, then on to Berlin and back to OSU and Upper Arlington. Wendell earned multiple high-profile recognitions for his outstanding contributions during World War II and his dedicated civic involvement.  Before Wendell's passing in 2020, Brad recorded videos with him, and Brad will be sharing selected clips during this event.

This “free-to-attend” event is presented by the Upper Arlington Historical Society as part of their "Veterans Voices" project. Thank you to the Upper Arlington Public Library for hosting this presentation. Please register through the Library’s site to ensure adequate seating by clicking below:

Bradley Frick moved to Upper Arlington in 1954 and graduated from UAHS in 1966. He worked at WTVN am/fm/tv while attending The Ohio State University. After his graduation in 1972 with a degree in History and Political Science, he joined Xerox and then quickly headed to Notre Dame, graduating from law school in 1977.  Brad was the CEO of Northway Transportation, Inc and now practices law.  He has been a member of UA Rotary for 20 years.

A History Speaks event.

Presented by Darrell and Craig Heckman (UAHS Class of 1967 and 1969, respectively).

The life and death of then-UA resident Lisa Davenport and the investigation thereafter held all of Franklin County captivated for over a month in 1966. We will explore this currently unsolved mystery:

• Who was Lisa Davenport?

• What happened on the night she died?

• How did the media cover murder cases in the 1960s?

Free to attend. No registration required.

The Heckman brothers grew up at the corner of York and Northam in the home that their parents owned for 49 years. Both attended Arlington schools from kindergarten through high school.

Darrell practiced law for 43 years including 8 years as Prosecuting Attorney of Champaign County, Ohio. He is now retired and lives in Dublin with his wife Nancy.

Craig practiced general law in Ohio and healthcare law in Kentucky. He currently is an honored adjunct faculty member at the University of Western Kentucky teaching healthcare law. Craig’s father-in-law served for many years as a homicide detective with the Columbus Police Department.

A History Speaks event.

Presenter:  Susan Keeny, Preservation Director, Columbus Landmarks

Description:  Owning and maintaining an older home presents many challenges. This program will show homeowners how to recognize and address these challenges while still preserving the architectural character of their historic homes. Common problems such as crumbling masonry, cracked plaster, historic wood windows, water issues, and more will be covered.  You'll learn recommended approaches to preserve and upgrade your older home, and you'll also learn what not to do.  

Free to attend. No registration necessary.

A History Speaks presentation.

From humble origins, the buckeye has become Ohio's namesake candy. Though a classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, each producer's offering is as bespoke as the buckeye is beloved. From legendary family businesses like fifth-generation Anthony Thomas to UA’s iconic Goodie Shop bakery, shops around the state serve up their version of the state’s sweet treat.

Join author Renee Casteel Cook as she unfolds how this bite-sized confection has become Ohio's sweetest symbol. One of her highlighted businesses in the book is our very own Goodie Shop bakery! Renee has two additional foodie books - author of Ohio Ice Cream and coauthor of The Columbus Food Truck Cookbook.

The Goodie Shop will generously provide sample buckeye candies for attendees.

Pre-order your book at Cover to Cover bookstore (2116 Arlington Avenue) for the author signing following the event. Or buy the book at the event from Cover to Cover. Retail price: $23.99. We are grateful for Cover to Cover’s partnership for this program.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.

Want UA-centric gifts for the holidays while supporting a local non-profit organization? Stop by Littleton’s Market at Tremont Center and find our table to purchase quality-crafted gifts for any time of year. Cash, credit or Venmo accepted. See all our offerings and prices on our Shop page.

IF YOU ORDERED ONLINE THROUGH DEC 4, your item(s) will be waiting for you at our table if you did not already pick them up at the Dec. 6th Winter Festival event.

Want UA-centric gifts for the holidays while supporting a local non-profit organization? Stop by our table, outside Cover to Cover bookstore — 2116 Arlington Avenue — to purchase quality-crafted gifts for any time of year. Cash, credit or Venmo accepted. See all our offerings and prices on our Shop page.

IF YOU ORDERED ONLINE THROUGH DEC 4, your item(s) will be waiting for you at our table. We also have another pick up date - Saturday, Dec 7 at Littleton’s Market from 10am-noon.

A History Speaks Event. Many thanks to our series lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and to a grant from UA’s Community Relations Committee that allows us to video record the event.

Join us as we travel the decades since Upper Arlington formally established a municipal fire department on December 1, 1930. See how the people, the equipment, and the techniques have evolved to meet the challenges faced by today’s emergency responders.

Following the presentation, attendees may cross the road to Fire Station #72 for a tour including the museum room containing this very first UA fire truck.

Parking available in the Bryce Eck lot, in the south lot of Fire Station #72, and along Ritamarie Drive (there’s a walkthrough to the rear of the Bryce Eck Activity Center).

Our presenter, Dan Kochensparger, is the Upper Arlington Fire Division’s volunteer historian. He served as a UA firefighter for 33 years and is a two-time recipient of the Upper Arlington Liberty Mutual Firefighter of the Year Award. He was named grand marshal of the 2015 UA Independence Day parade. While a UA firefighter, he deployed to the World Trade Center collapse as a member of Ohio Task Force One, one of 28 urban search and rescue units that are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In recognition of his participation in the recovery effort at Ground Zero, he was chosen as a torchbearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Prior to his service at Upper Arlington, he was the EMS coordinator for the Perry County, Ohio EMS in southeast Ohio. He also was an assistant EMS instructor in the emergency medical program at Hocking College in Nelsonville. He began his fire service career in 1976 as a volunteer with the New Lexington, Ohio Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University, where he served four years as an emergency medical technician on the campus volunteer ambulance service.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.

A History Speaks Event. Many thanks to our series lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and to a grant from UA’s Community Relations Committee that allows us to video record the event.

Native Nations have called the lands of Ohio home since time immemorial, establishing relationships between each other and living together as neighbors. The beginning of the European colonization of North America did not alter that. French and British colonists were often incorporated into Indigenous communities through marriage, adoption, and economic relationships.

The expansion of the new United States following the American Revolution threatened to change that as American settlers and the Federal Government sought to claim the Ohio Country for themselves. Westward Euro-American immigration into Indian Country, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, brought Ohio Native Nations and the United States to a crossroads. Could they live as side-by-side as neighbors or was Ohio not big enough for the two of them?

Our presenter, Dr. John Bickers, is an assistant professor of History at Case Western Reserve University and a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. This presentation has been customized specifically for our UA History Speaks series. Dr. Bickers specializes in early American and Native American history. His research focuses on Indigenous constructions of citizenship and race and theories of Native political sovereignty and governance.

His first book project, “The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” is an exploration of the political history of the Miami Tribe through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Dr. Bickers received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis.

A History Speaks Event. Many thanks to our series lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and to a grant from UA’s Community Relations Committee that allows us to video record the event.

In 1954, Upper Arlington High School performed their first musical production — Brigadoon — under the direction of choir director Mr. Herbert Yenser. In the yearbook, it was noted as a “musical that no one can forget.” (Norwester 1954, p. 101.)

Seventy years later, we look back on this and all successive musicals produced by the high school through the years — classics, like Oklahoma and The Sound of Music, to contemporary productions, such as In the Heights and Mean Girls. How has this tradition changed throughout the years? What have previous cast members gone on to accomplish in the world of professional theatre?

Led by UAHS Vocal Music Director, Dr. Brandon Moss. Attendees will also have the rare opportunity to walk on and behind the UAHS stage, learning about the activity spaces that support the fantasy worlds we see onstage.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. (Society memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.) The general public is welcome on a first-come, first serve basis. (As we are in the UAHS auditorium, there will be LOTS of seats! And we are NOT recording this event, so please come in person on Sept 15th!)

Look for our table at the UA Farmers Market to:

• Learn about the upcoming August Homes of History celebration and other Society events

• See physical items from our Archives collection (weather permitting)

• Purchase UA-nique gifts (see our Shop for a preview)

• Talk about UA history with Society representatives

Yes, this will be our second consecutive week to be at the market. We can’t wait to talk and learn with you!

Look for our table at the UA Farmers Market to:

• Learn about the upcoming August Homes of History celebration and other Society events

• See physical items from our Archives collection (weather permitting)

• Purchase UA-nique gifts (see our Shop for a preview)

• Talk about UA history with Society representatives

We can’t wait to talk with you!

The Historical Society will be at both Open Houses! Come visit with us and:

• Learn about the history of the Jones Building

• Purchase UA-nique gifts

• Help us identify mystery pictures from our Archives

• Discuss the newly-installed UA History display (at UAHS only)

Current 2024 Society members will receive an invite to this special event at The Daily Growler. In addition to a review of the Society’s year, attendees will hear the history of the two businesses that occupy that space - Colin’s Coffee and The Daily Growler. RSVPs required. Members - watch for an invitation email coming by the last week of May.

Each year, a deceased former Upper Arlington resident who brought honor and recognition to our community is selected for the Wall of Honor, with a memorial plaque installed on the Plaza at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road. Historical Society members will receive an invitation to the event, along with guests of the families. RSVPs are required.

The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society are pleased to announce that Link McKinley Murphy, M.D., and Reed McClelland have been selected for induction onto the Wall of Honor in 2024.

“Dr. Link” Murphy moved to Upper Arlington in 1928 and brought his medical practice to the community in 1961. In his early years as a physician, he could be found most mornings at one of several hospitals practicing his specialty in anesthesia. His afternoons – and often his evenings – were spent as a caring family physician, who routinely made house calls to tend to his patients, exuding a bedside manner that made everyone under his care feel like they were the most important person in the world. He was a founding member of the Upper Arlington Civic Association, formed in 1933, serving as Parade Chairman from 1933-35. He led the creation of and was the Flag Bearer for the Spirit of ’76 Revolutionary Soldiers Parade Troupe with his family members – launching a now fourth-generation tradition that still leads the start of the Fourth of July Parade. Many people referred to Dr. Murphy as Mr. Upper Arlington. When the High School built a new football stadium on Zollinger, he served as fundraising Chair, raising the equivalent of $500,000 to help fund the project. Dr. Link helped conceive of First Community Village and served as its first medical director. He also traveled to Africa and India with friends on several occasions, spending his time visiting with and treating the medically neglected members of local villages.

Reed McClelland believed the sun rose and set in Upper Arlington and dedicated much of his life in support of the community he loved. Encouraged by his friends to run for public office after retiring from his fulltime career at Cottingham Paper, Reed was elected to serve on City Council in 1985 at a time when the City needed experienced, level-headed leadership to restore community confidence, build trust and make good decisions on many critical issues. His calm manner, respect for others, and his business-like approach to solving issues helped him earn the trust of his fellow Council members, the City Administration, and the residents of Upper Arlington at an important time in the community’s history. He ultimately served two terms on Council, with his peers selecting him to serve as both Vice President and President of Council. His service to others began early. As a young man, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, becoming a Lieutenant and serving in the Pacific Arena. In retirement, he not only donated blood to the American Red Cross he delivered blood all over the state and served as President of the Godman Guild, and as a volunteer for the Columbus Literary Council.

To be considered for the Wall of Honor, a person must meet three criteria: He or she must be deceased; must have lived in Upper Arlington for part of his/her life; and must have made a significant contribution to the city, the state and/or the nation. Honorees are recognized via permanent bronze plaques on the “Wall of Honor” located on the plaza in front of the Municipal Services Center.

A History Speaks Event. Many thanks to our series lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and to a grant from UA’s Community Relations Committee that allows us to video record the event.

Founded in 1969 and by 1973 headquartered in Upper Arlington, “CompuServe grew through the 1970s and 1980s into the first major online service in the U.S., offering chat and email to tens of thousands of customers, not to mention helping bring newspapers and stock trading into the digital age. It was known for its entrepreneurial and innovative culture, one which co-founder and former CEO Jeff Wilkins helped spark.” (GeekWire, 2015.)

Jeff will discuss CompuServe’s founding and all of the innovations that CompuServe brought to life: the first commercial email product; the first newspapers online; the first airline listings; and the innovation of the GIF graphics format. Learn how and why AOL was able to become the dominant online service of the 90s.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. Others are welcome on a first-come, first serve basis. Memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year. Attendees with physical limitations may utilize the parking lot off Fishinger Road for drop-off or parking purposes, as this is closer to the theater. Otherwise, please park in the southern portion of the lot off Reed Road and follow signs to enter the building closer to the theater (located in the Fishinger Road-facing building). Please allow for time to park and walk to the theater prior to our 7pm start time.

Jeff Wilkins was the co-founder and first CEO of CompuServe, perhaps the original consumer online service. 

A History Speaks Event. Many thanks to our series lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and to a grant from UA’s Community Relations Committee that allows us to video record the event.

What was life like in this area in the 1880s?

The UA Historical Society’s archives contains the transcription of diary, written by a young woman living near today’s Reed and Fishinger roads in 1883 with the Walcutt family. The Society’s two lead Archives researchers, Melanie Brown and Lee Bracken, have spent many months delving into the stories Eva Wareham shares, uncovering the people, places, and events that she describes.

Their presentation will use the diary’s entries as a jumping off point to discuss our pioneers’ way of life, detailed descriptions of their physical community, and traces of Upper Arlington’s past that remain visible today.

This is a free-to-attend event. Society members will receive an email a few weeks before the event to reserve seats. Others are welcome on a first-come, first serve basis. Memberships start for as low at $25 / calendar year.

A History Speaks Event.

In 1971 Lazarus department store opened in Kingsdale Shopping Center. Initially 85,000 square-feet, UA’s Lazarus had expanded to over 100,000 by 1977. The transition to the Macy’s brand occurred in 2005, after two years of marketing the dual name, Lazarus-Macy’s. Macy’s closed the UA store in 2015, and after five years of vacancy, the site became available for development. UA’s community center is now rising in this space. This History Speaks event honors this former blue-brick landmark and the memories of an iconic business.

For more than 150 years, F&R Lazarus & Company was the heart of downtown Columbus. Headed by the "first family of American retailing" with an eye for flair and a devotion to the customer, this uniquely midwestern institution won the hearts and minds of a community. Look to Lazarus draws on the memories of those who worked and shopped in this grand emporium to tell the unlikely story of a love affair between a city and a store. It was a love affair born of the solemn promise "You can always take it back to Lazarus, no questions asked."

Authors & Presenters:

David Meyers--David spent 30 years in the field of adult and juvenile corrections, then another 18 in higher education. He worked at Lazarus one summer and during Christmas vacation. 

Beverly Meyers--Besides stints as a teacher and event planner, Beverly was a professional puppeteer and handled publicity for the Big Apple Circus. During research for the book, she discovered the high regard in which the Lazarus women were held by the wives and daughters of employees.

book signing after the event

Thanks to our partner, Cover to Cover book store, audience members can purchase the Look to Lazarus book before and after the event for future pick up at Cover to Cover, 2116 Arlington Avenue. Bookplates will be given to those who order a book for signing by the authors.

You may also bring your copy of Look to Lazarus for signing. Looking to purchase in advance of the event? Support our local bookstore, Cover to Cover, with your order.

Ten of UA’s century homes have been artistically captured by third graders at Greensview Elementary School under the guidance of art instructor Jana Holland. Stop by to admire both the artists’ skill and the beauty of these grand century homes.

Thank you to all who submitted photos; we are grateful for your willingness to share with the students. The ten homeowners selected for this project have been notified separately.

All are welcome to attend on December 16th. The Society’s Director, Kristin Greenberg, will be there from 4-5pm to answer any UA history questions.