Many thanks to our series’ lead sponsor, First Merchants Bank, and our two supporting sponsors - The Veterans Committee and The Wellington School! View our series brochure to see all our sponsors.
In line with our mission to discover, preserve and celebrate UA's history, the Upper Arlington Historical Society is offering History Speaks Vol 2 - four unique experiences as part of a speaker series appealing to diverse audiences. These events focus on topics of interest specific to our community and beyond, providing historical context for contemporary issues.
Details will be added closer to the event dates. Have a question? Contact info@uahistory.org
Our Signature Event — February 16, 2022
A Discussion of “beyond the river” with author Ann Hagedorn
An insightful evening into the stories of Ohio’s Underground Railroad network led by Ann Hagedorn, author of 2003’s Beyond the River hailed by the American Library Association as one of the “25 most notable nonfiction books in America” in 2004. Thank you to all who supported this event and the Society with their sponsorships and ticket purchases. To fulfill our mission to discover, preserve and celebrate history for all, here is the video of the event:
From publisher Simon & Schuster: Documented in antebellum court records, diaries, letters, and 19th century newspapers, this award-winning book tells the page-turning story of one of the most successful social movements in history: the grassroots network of men and women, black and white, who assisted fugitive slaves in America to escape to freedom.
The narrative brings to life the struggles of abolitionists and expands the definition of such heroes to include women, people of African descent, and youth.
The story unfolds at a stunning site on a high bluff overlooking five bends of the Ohio River, in a town that was once a hub for anti-slavery activists with direct ties to Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Lloyd Garrison, among other well-known figures of the era; that was known in antebellum America as the “abolitionist hellhole;” and that was codified by slaves in the song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
understanding the Underground Railroad in columbus — April 5, 2022
Leslie Blankenship, Co-Founder (1996) of the Friends of Freedom Society, a statewide Underground Railroad research organization
See event details on our calendar. A more local spin on our topic from February, guest speaker Leslie Blankenship will focus on the stories of the Columbus conductors and "station-masters," incorporating first-person narratives while explaining the routes through Columbus during the time of the Underground Railroad. Familiar names and places like Abraham Depp at the Lucy Depp Station in Union County, the Kelton House, the Rev. Jason Bull's hub in Clintonville, Ozem Gardener in Flint, and the Alum Creek Quaker Settlement (Marengo) in Morrow County will be discussed.
Friends of Freedom, Inc. historical marker placed on the Ohio Statehouse grounds in 2004.
Columbus conductor David Jenkins who tirelessly pushed for equal rights for his people. After the war, he served in the Mississippi legislature during Reconstruction.
who was here and what happened (1640-1840) — september 14, 2022
John Low, JD, Ph.D.
Citizen - Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; Associate Professor - Department of Comparative Studies; Director - Newark Earthworks Center; Affiliated Faculty - American Indian Studies; Courtesy Appointment - Department of History, Ohio State University (Newark)
Did you know…in the hundreds of years before there was an “Upper Arlington,” there were 44 historic Native American tribes in Ohio? John Low of the Newark Earthworks Center will focus specifically on the Shawnee, Wyandot, Mingo, Delaware and Ottawa tribes with a 45-minute presentation followed by a short Q&A period.
osu’s horseshoe turns 100: celebrating the architect and former ua resident howard dwight smith — october 2, 2022
Led by Upper Arlington Historical Society members and family descendants. See the event video here.
Howard Dwight Smith’s best-known work — the Ohio Stadium — celebrates its century mark in October 2022. As OSU's University Architect from 1929 to 1956, Smith designed numerous academic buildings and dormitories including St. John Arena and the OSU Golf Clubhouse. He taught architecture at OSU (his alma mater), for 30 years.
He also was a resident of Upper Arlington and appears on our Wall of Honor outside the Municipal Services Center in recognition of his high level of achievement.
This program is dedicated to learning more about who Smith was and his architectural and artistic endeavors, including the many UA homes he designed. Celebrating with us will be several Smith descendants, sharing personal items handed down through the generations.
From Dayton to Egypt and back to UA, Howard Dwight Smith’s extensive travels provided him with design insights that he brought back to Ohio. Hear family stories about Smith’s global travels and his life in Upper Arlington from within the ever-changing landscape of early 20th century architecture, education, and historical events.