“Preserving the rich history of Ashtabula County, Ohio”

Quarterly Newsletter of the Ashtabula County Historical Society 

Winter, 2023

Notes from our President 

Here are some of my thoughts on Historical Value: 

There's nothing wrong with saving and preserving old buildings. Historic preservation is more than simply saving and restoring old buildings and sites of historic importance. Preservation enriches the community by maintaining tangible connections to our past, as well as promoting economic development through tourism and providing a multitude of educational opportunities. In the past, historic preservation has been considered a luxury practice, but in recent years, research of the economic and public benefi ts revealed that it is a powerful tool in sustaining local economy, creating jobs, and even generating capital. The aesthetic, cultural and historical benefits of preservation are well known, but now some communities are realizing that there are positive economic effects also. A number of studies have been conducted throughout the United States in recent years, analyzing the economic benefits of historic preservation on property values.

The results, on both state and local levels, have consistently reported that properties in historic districts appreciate significantly faster than comparable properties not located in historic districts. Property value is determined by the buyers and sellers of the market and when dealing with historic properties, those buyers and sellers must recognize the significance

of the historic properties in order for the value to remain high. Studies have given evidence that we, as a society, value those buildings and homes that represent our collective history. These findings make investment in historic properties economically beneficial. On its most basic level, the practice of historic preservation is the practice of conserving resources. Not only do restoration and redevelopment consume less energy than demolition and new construction, but preservation also recovers the worth of past energy investment. Demolition and new construction not only consume present-day energy, but both negates and wastes the past energy investment made in a building. Preservation, then, is a remarkably effective method of sustainability.

The demolition of historic buildings is a one-way street. There is no chance to renovate or to save a historic site once it's gone. This reality brings to light the importance of locating and saving buildings of historic significance―because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is lost forever. (Greg Kocjancic)

Tentative Dates for Events of 2023!

Blakeslee Log Cabin September 9th and 10th 2023: Log Cabin Days and more to be announced

Jennie Munger Gregory Museum May 27th, 28th, 29th, 2023-- Memorial Day Weekend

July 1st, 2nd and July 4th 2023 Special Event

Labor Day Weekend: September 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2023 Special Event September 9th and 10th 2023 Thunder on the Strip

Joshua Giddings Law Office June 17th,2023: Strawberry Festival and more to be announced

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Rhonda Wright and Lynn Cummings prepare to serve popcorn and goodies during Log Cabin Days of 2020.

Joshua Giddings Law Office Museum 

Dave Martin, Curator

I am pleased to report that the Giddings Law Office is holding up well. I did check on its condition after the Christmas windstorm. There were no missing shingles. The interior storm window film was still tight on every window. The interior temperature was in the 40’s, no danger of frost damage. The Eden Pure heater is working fine. The humidity was less than 55% upstairs and in the crawl space, no danger of old growth. Because of all the rain, the crawl space dehumidifier is currently working. The condensation outflow is directed to the floor drain. This is to keep the drain trap from going dry and allowing sewer gas into the building. There was no sign of mice. When the walls were open, quarter inch mesh hardware cloth was secured in every space at floor level to prevent the entrance of mice. Not much will be needed to open the building in the spring other than regular cleaning.

I would still like to make a study of the shutter latching hardware to see if it is realistic to have new pieces made. The shutters are still rickety, but I see no reason why they should not hold together for a few more years.

At present, the exterior paint still looks good, but severe Winter weather can change that. The lawn mower took a chip out of the bottom of the Southwest plaster. I saved the piece of wood. It is in Frank’s or Addison’s desk (inside the Office). I intend to glue it back in place in better weather.

Care taken during the 2012-2016 restoration work is paying off now. The Giddings Law Office is strong and solid.

Dan Hill built a handicap certified railing for the Giddings Law Office in October. It will be painted in spring to match the railing on the handicap ramp in the back of the building.

Blakeslee Log Cabin

Allen Slater kindly maintained the property of our Log Cabin during 2022, with help from John Wright, Stephanie Blessing, and Dan Hill. All year most meetings were held at the Log Cabin Barn. We had the best Log Cabin Days in September of 2022! It was a great celebration with superb displays, great food, and a terrific attendance. It is the main fundraiser for maintaining our three properties and helped us break even for the first time in at least three years.

Left: Stephanie Blessing was Chairman and organizer of the Log Cabin Days September 9th and 10th, 2022. She worked tirelessly to provide an amazing and successful event. Stephanie and Al Slater trouble shot the electric system and made sure Log Cabin Days went smoothly.

Right: Al Slater spent hours spreading asphalt grindings on the Log Cabin driveway and parking area. He arranged for a new culvert which now provides proper drainage at the end of the driveway. BIG project!

Jennie Munger Gregory Memorial Museum 

Rhonda Wright, Curator

Now at the end of January we have started to prepare the Jenny Munger Museum for a summer of new exhibits for 2023. Last year we started to sort out what was in each room. The inventory has not been easy, but it sure is fun. I’m hoping to have a new display in the toy room to present more of our amazing vintage dresses and display more of our beautiful old quilts. Greg Kocjancic (President) and I made a nice display of the costumes used in the documentary of the Ashtabula Train Disaster.

Judy Palutch, Lynn Cummings and I are planning to showcase more Geneva-on-the-Lake history. We have acquired some amazing signage from the GOTL past. I was born in Geneva and grew up just 20 minutes away from GOTL. The memories I have are many. We need to share and hold onto this quaint resort.

Our plans this Summer are to have a few yard sales and lots of fundraisers. Our mission is to not let Jenny Munger Museum fall into the Lake. Yes, the erosion is quite scary this year. It may take a couple of years to raise enough money to raise enough money to stop the erosion behind the Museum. “Honey, we don’t HAVE a couple years.” Well, this is another story.

We are looking into a book sale. We have so many books. Many are not old or historic. We need the room. We have many dishes, glasses, all sorts of items that are not of historic importance. They have not been marked or tagged. All of these items are taking up room. So, be on the lookout for when we have our sales! Our artifacts and treasures will never be sold.

That’s it for our work at Jennie Munger Museum. We expect the best year ever for all three properties. Rhonda Wright, V.P.

Left: Rhonda Wright and Judy Pallutch work diligently on the Jennie Munger Museum Committee. Displays are being changed dramatically for the coming Museum Season of 2023!!

Right: Lynn Cummings works in the Walter Jack Library to log historical items in the notebooks about each of our 27 townships in Ashtabula County.

Erosion Challenge

Back in 2020 Susan Hill, then President, applied for and was granted a state of Ohio Capital Budget amount of $75,000 to begin to address the erosion from Lake Erie that threatens the Jennie Munger Museum. The grant was administered through John Patterson’s office when he was our Ohio House of Representatives member. The Society has partnered with the Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake in order to address the problem in conjunction with the assault upon many areas of the shoreline. This way we can apply for other public funds. The money required is far exceeding the initial amount and a series of funding options will be explored with the help of Jeremy Shaffer, GOTL Village administrator and Mayor Duane Bennett. We are so grateful to have the help of the Village and their experts without which we could not move forward.

Ashtabula County Historical Society supports the Train Disaster Movie

Lakeside High School was the sight of the first showings of the fantastic documentary on the Ashtabula Train Disaster in the blizzard of December 1876. Led by Len Brown and sponsored by the Ashtabula Foundation, the documentary featured dozens of volunteer actors. Some of the first scenes were made in 2019 at the Jennie Munger Museum parlor.

Above left: Rhonda Wright and Greg Kocjancic presented a large display during the December 11, 2022 showing.

Right: Rhonda answers questions and sells the book Bliss and Tragedy.

Dear Ashtabula County Historical Society Members: Please give us an email address so we can send the newsletter cheaply rather than use our lovely but expensive color printer and expensive postage! Send it to our Membership Chairperson Courtney Johnson: Courtney.meredith@gmail.com

Tidd Bit: Impact of Wildlife in Ashtabula County

When first settlers arrived here in our wonderful County the common habitants of this region were bears and wolves, many elk, deer and occasionally panthers and other wild cats. Wild turkeys, geese and ducks in the fields and wetlands aplenty. There were many poisonous serpents in our area. It is written that rattlers that were thick as a man’s arm swarmed in various dens and cliff sides. Said the den walls and floors moved as so many slithered around. Thousands of them. The men, brave, took to their clubs and beat them to almost extinction in our area. We still have a few poisonous snakes near the rivers and ponds in the Southern County.

Trustees and Executive Board members for 2023!

President: Greg Kocjancic

Vice President: Rhonda Wright Secretary: Stephanie Blessing Treasurer: Courtney Johnson

Jennie Munger Committee: Rhonda Wright, Chair., plus Lynn Cummings, Judy Palutch, Britta Shaffer

Giddings Law Office Committee: Dave Martin, Chair., plus Dan Hill, Susan Hill, Rhonda Wright and Judy Pallutch

Blakeslee Log Cabin: Al Slater, Chair., plus John Wright, Stephanie Blessing, Al Varner

Greg Kocjancic presents a hugely popular display next to the Joshua Giddings Law Office during the Covered Bridge Festival in Jefferson October 9, 2022.

Our 11 Trustees are Greg Kocjancic, Rhonda Wright, Stephanie Blessing, Al Varner, John Wright, Britta Shaffer, Lynn Cummings, Al Slater, Dave Martin, Courtney Johnson, John Johnson