MEDINA, Ohio -- The Medina County Historical Society held its 103rd annual meeting Sunday (Nov. 10) to bestow awards and celebrate a successful year.
More than 40 members and guests met in the parlor and adjoining rooms of the McDowell-Phillips House Museum.
Historical society President Brian Feron welcomed the guests and recapped the past year of programs and projects.
He announced that more than 2,000 visitors toured the the society's two museums, aided by at least 6,000 hours of volunteer service.
Both museums received touch-up exterior painting and new displays this year. And the third-floor billiards room at the McDowell-Phillips House is being renovated, thanks to a grant from the Stephenson Foundation.
The historical society also was able to purchase the vacant lot at the corner of Blake and Medina streets, adjacent to the McDowell-Phillips House.
Future plans for the lot include the addition of drainage and a mural on the wall that marks the northern edge of the property.
It is also hoped that Medina City Council will consider relocating the historic Interurban Station that now stands on the site of the new downtown hotel to that lot.
The first order of business at the meeting was the election of trustees to fill the place of Chet Simmons and Mike Tuchek.
Vice President Charlie Ramer congratulated new trustees Sarah Tome and Linn Mast.
Next was the Volunteer of the Year award, given to Scott Benson for his work setting up, marketing items and processing the shipment of items from the society's new eBay account.
He helped earn over $2,200 from the sale of duplicate or excess items.
The announcement of the annual Northrop Awards is always eagerly awaited. The award was named after the Rev. N.B. Northrop, who wrote the first history of Medina County.
Each year, the society honors those who have worked to preserve history in art, writing or education.
The first Northrop award of the afternoon was given to Kathy Kraus, an artist and art teacher who has painted murals in public buildings, schools and private homes.
She also has reenacted women in history, among them Emma the spy, Victoria Woodhull, Letha House, Elizabeth McDowell, Elsie Bennett Wilson and Cora Munson.
All of her presentations are accurate, energetic and passionate.
The second award went to Tom Doyle. He has collected a fascinating museum on the evolution of firefighting, in the Little Wiz Museum on East Smith Road in Medina.
He is the proud owner of one of the rare Ford Model T Hallock Fire Trucks built in Medina during World War 1. He regularly shares artifacts from local history with the historical society.
The last order of business was the announcement of two new Special Lifetime Achievement Awards, to Joann King and Tom Hilberg.
Both served as curators of the museums for many years and currently continue to work at the museums as volunteers.
It is impossible to calculate the hours of research, writing, educating and curating these two have contributed over many years.
Unfortunately, they were unable to be at the meeting to receive their awards.
Following the meeting, guests were treated to a spread of appetizers and desserts. They were also encouraged to tour the beautifully decorated museum -- which already boasts a Christmas tree.
To learn more about the Medina County History Society and its programs -- including several upcoming holiday open houses and a Gingerbread House display -- log on to www.medinacountyhistoricalsociety.com.