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.

Want UA-centric gifts for the holidays while supporting our community organization? Stop by our table, inside of Cover to Cover bookstore — 2116 Arlington Avenue — to purchase UA-nique gifts. Cash, credit or Venmo accepted. See all our offerings and prices on our Shop page.

All — residents old and new — are invited to join us for this session of the UA Welcome Series!

Go behind-the-scenes to understand why certain prominent features of our community developed into what they are today. Using existing landmarks throughout our city, we will explore the stories every community member should know.

Free to attend; no registration required.

The Newark Earthworks are the largest set of geometric enclosures and mounds in the world. The work of the Hopewell people who lived in Ohio circa A.D. 1-  400, these geometric earthworks covered nearly five square miles, using more than seven million cubic feet of earth. Why did the Hopewell build such monumental works? Were they prehistoric forts or ancient American cathedrals?

Join presenter Brad Lepper, Senior Archaeologist for the Ohio History Connection’s World Heritage Program, soon after his return from the World Heritage Extended Committee meeting in Saudi Arabia!

The Newark Earthworks are part of Ohio’s first World Heritage site (and so close to Upper Arlington!). The site is one of seven Ohio sites in a serial nomination of Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. In addition to Newark Earthworks, the sites are Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve and five sites that make up Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe.”

A special Newark Earthworks Open House event is scheduled for Sunday, October 15 when you can visit these sites with full access!

This program is made possible, in part, by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (publication/program/exhibition/website) do not necessarily represent those of Ohio Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Registration is required for this History Speaks event.

Presenters:

Dan Tarpy, Tarpy’s Market
Tim Huffman, Huffman’s Market
Rob Littleton, Littleton’s Market

Upper Arlington has a rich history of namesake local grocery stores emphasizing personalized service. As we highly anticipate the opening of Littleton’s at Tremont Center, we honor the beloved markets that once occupied that retail space — Tarpy’s Market and Huffman’s Market.

Tarpy’s was one of the first Tremont Center tenants in the early 1950s, moving from their original Mallway location. Our featured presenter, Dan Tarpy, worked closely with his father, Tom, a master of developing competitive advantages to benefit his customers. Dan will walk us through the forty years of changes, expansions, and “firsts” that are part of Tarpy’s legacy.

Huffman’s is a more recent community mainstay, with Tim Huffman at its helm until selling the market in 2018. Tim will expound on his years of owning the business and its community impact.

Rob Littleton looks to the future, bringing insight as to the hopes and goals for this new generation of market. Attendees will get a special tour of Littleton’s and all it has to offer.

—> Registration required. (Link coming soon.)

—> Free to attend.

—> Please plan on two hours: one for presentation, one to move across the street to Littleton’s and tour.

Our high school opens the doors to alumni (and the public) with special programming and displays.

Come visit the Upper Arlington Historical Society table and:

(1) Look at decades of UA Band images and memorabilia.

(2) Review our growing inventory of stores that were at Kingsdale and add your knowledge!

(3) Purchase a special July 4th bear keepsake to hang for the holidays - only $12 and proceeds benefit the Historical Society.

What are the important architectural features of 50+ year-old homes? How do they enhance the character and style of your historic home?

Join presenter Susan Keeny, Preservation Director at Columbus Landmarks, to learn why taking a preservation approach is important not only for our homes, but also for our neighborhoods. Highlights of local architecture, resources for homeowners, and a lively question/answer session will round out this informative evening. If you own a home built pre-1974 or are interested in historic architecture, this event is for you!

The evening will kick-off with a brief Annual Meeting of the Society. All are welcome; Society members will have the opportunity to vote on issues.

This event is free to attend. Please register here.

Donations at the event from non-members are much appreciated! Thank you to UA’s Community Relations Committee for grant money to support this History Speaks series and to our History Speaks individual contributors.

Columbus Landmarks was founded 45 years ago with a mission "to preserve Columbus landmarks and neighborhoods through advocacy, education, and investment, and to promote design that inspires and endures." We are fully committed to equity, sustainable growth, and design excellence for all. Of special interest to attendees of this event is their Home Preservation Program.

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.

The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society are pleased to announce that Robin Hess Comfort and Joanie Igel Dugger have been selected for induction onto the Wall of Honor in 2023.

Both women shared a dedication to the betterment of the UA Schools. Robin served on the Board of Education for 11 years and as Board President for two years, playing a pivotal role in the facilities master planning project that led to a monumental transformation of the district’s educational facilities. Joanie served as Executive Director for the UA Education Foundation, growing it into a model for communities across the state.

Society members will receive an invitation to the event, along with guests of the families. RSVPs are required.

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.

Free to attend. Limited space. Register today!

The Sells Bros. Circus (1870s-early 1900s) wintered just southeast of today’s Upper Arlington. Bill Moose, buried in UA’s Wyandot Park and recognized as the last full-blooded Wyandot in this region, appeared in their show for nine years. UA’s founders, King and Ben Thompson, are related to the Sells Brothers.

Fred Pfening’s interest in things sawdust began at age five when he rode an elephant in his father’s circus. Since then, he has written over 50 articles on the history of the circus, has appeared on numerous documentaries, and given presentations at many conferences. He is a former president of the Circus Historical Society and at one time edited its journal Bandwagon. He is currently on the board of directors of the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida.

He has extensively studied the history of the Sells Bros. Circus that was headquartered in the Grandview area from the 1870s until 1907. The Sells brothers had one of the most important traveling railroad circuses from the late 1870s to the early 1900s.  He will share his knowledge about the colorful history of this local amusement institution.

In real life Pfening is a life-long resident of Upper Arlington. He is the retired president of a family business that engineers and manufacturers ingredient conveying equipment for the wholesale bakery industry. He characterizes his fascinating with the circus as “a hobby that got out of hand.”

Fred was a valued contributor to the best selling novel, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

Interesting links

Peter Sells’ “circus home” in Victorian Village gets a refresh (2022)

A look inside Peter Sells’ “circus home” (circa 2017)

A HISTORY SPEAKS EVENT

Please register so that we can adequately accommodate all guests. This event is free of charge.

In the 1800s, Reverend James Preston Poindexter was a venerable leader for the African American community in and around Columbus. His dedication to social causes created a solid foundation for future generations.

Reita Smith, a local historian, founding chair of the James Preston Poindexter Foundation, and long-time resident of Upper Arlington, will share with us…

• The story of Rev. Poindexter, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, the first Black member of Columbus City Council, and the first Black member of the Columbus Board of Education. 

• Poindexter’s important connection to Pleasant Litchford, a blacksmith by trade and a formerly enslaved man who migrated around 1830 from Virginia to this area, purchasing 227 acres of land in what is now Upper Arlington. 

• Her own connection to this history, both through her ancestry and through her time living and raising children in what was one of the first New Deal public projects of its time, Columbus’ Poindexter Village. 

• Her decade-long dedication to saving two Poindexter Village buildings which will become a museum and cultural center dedicated to preserving the history of Poindexter and the Black community of Central Ohio.

Come see us at UA’s Winter Festival to talk all-things-UA-history and buy some unique UA-centric gifts for the holidays. See our shop here; we will have the items available to purchase that evening. Cash, credit or Venmo.

** We’ll be located outside of Cover to Cover bookstore!

Legendary OSU football coach Woody Hayes resided on Cardiff Road in Upper Arlington and was inducted to the UA Wall of Honor in 1991. Author and former sports columnist Bob Hunter will share his personal experiences with Woody, discuss why Woody was a great coach (and why he wasn’t), and explain why it is so difficult to pull him out of his era (50s, 60s and 70s) and judge him by today’s standards.

Woody’s story played out in the iconic Ohio Stadium which reaches its century mark this October. Bob will also share the improbable story about how the stadium came to be, what it did for OSU football and how and why it is still around.

An event not to be missed!

Bookseller Cover to Cover will sell books that evening (or you can purchase a copy in advance at their location - 2116 Arlington Ave.), and Bob will do a book signing at the conclusion of the presentation. We appreciate partnering with this great local business!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please register here. Free to attend.

We appreciate donations to help us continue our work as an independent non-profit organization.

Bob Hunter is the author of eleven books including the 2022 revised paperback version of Saint Woody: The History and Fanaticism of Ohio State Football. He served as sports columnist for the last 24 years of his more than 40 at the Dispatch.

Howard Dwight Smith’s best-known architectural work — Ohio Stadium — celebrates its century mark in 2022. But did you know he was an almost 40 year resident of Upper Arlington and was the architect for many of our iconic buildings — Fire Station #71, Jones Middle School, and Barrington Elementary School to name a few…

He also designed the UA homes in which he lived, and as OSU's University Architect from 1929 to 1956, numerous campus buildings including the OSU Golf Clubhouse here in our community. His body of work extends beyond the UA and OSU borders and has been recognized with local, state and national awards.

Our program will include:

(1) Displays of Howard Dwight Smith’s art, architectural sketches and personal items

(2) Family members’ insight into the man himself, his passions and pursuits

(3) An in-depth look at Smith’s architecture in our community and surrounding area, including Ohio Stadium

Light refreshments will be served. Free to attend and open to the public.

A History Speaks event, with special gratitude to our lead sponsor First Merchants Bank, our supporting sponsors - The Wellington School and the UA Veterans Committee, and all our business and individual sponsors who make this program possible.

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.

Cost: No registration required. Free to the public.
(We do appreciate donations of all sizes to support our work as an independent non-profit organization.)

Location: The Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, Upper Arlington. Please enter through the main entrance and follow the student guides to the south side of the building.

A History Speaks event, with special gratitude to our lead sponsor First Merchants Bank, our supporting sponsors - The Wellington School and the UA Veterans Committee, and all our business and individual sponsors who make this program possible.

For four years, current Historical Society Board member and former UACA President Mark Abell has been reviewing and compiling a chronicle of one of our communities most treasured organizations - the Upper Arlington Civic Association. Join us to learn more of the ”inside scoop” and interesting stories of this community pillar since 1933.

All are welcome, and we are delighted to celebrate our members that evening who support our work with their time, talents and resources.

RSVP for this “free-to-attend” event now.

We are most grateful to The Cleary Company for providing our meeting space in their beautifully appointed office.

Celebrating 28 years of remodeling in central Ohio. Remodeling Can Be Fun? YES! We feel remodeling should be fun, we live this daily as part of our mission statement. The Cleary Company is not just a business but a growing team of experienced professionals you will enjoy having in your home. Established in 1994, by George Cleary, we specialize in design-build home additions and whole house remodeling.

The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society will hold the 2022 Wall of Honor Ceremony at 3 pm, Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road.

Our 2022 Wall of Honor Inductees Are:

DON DODRILL

ROBERT WAGNER

Dr. Robert W. Wagner (November 16, 1918–February 7, 2011) was a professor, historian and producer/director of cinema and photography. He developed his love of history and interest in photography due to the influence of his father, who was a photographer of note in Columbus. Mr. Wagner dedicated his life to teaching and mentoring hundreds of artists, photographers and filmmakers throughout a career that spanned more than 70 years. A nationally recognized documentary filmmaker, Dr. Wagner led and developed the Department of Photography and Cinema at The Ohio State University (OSU) into one of the most respected teaching institutions in the U.S., with much of his photography and film work now found in the annals of recorded OSU history, including the 1950 “Snow Bowl,” which resulted in his initiation as an Honorary Member of TBDBITL. Dr. Wagner served as head of the film school at the University of Southern California and later served on the Board of the American Film Institute. He could call many Hollywood Stars friends – bringing Charlton Heston and legendary film directors Frank Capra and George Stevens to Ohio to speak with his students. Locally he collaborated with the early Columbus TV stations and worked with many of the live personalities and executives. Dr. Wagner received many lifetime awards, including the Ohioana Library Award, Eastman Kodak Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal, American Film Institute Service Award, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Distinguished Service Award, and International Congress of Schools of Cinema and Television Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a lover of everything Upper Arlington, serving on the Cultural Arts Commission, and writing and producing the 1980s film documentary Portrait of an American Town – Upper Arlington. He also contributed photographs and research to the first edition History of Upper Arlington, and was a member of the 1976 UA Bicentennial Committee, as well as establishing the UA Photographic Society.

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.

Leslie Blankenship, Co-Founder (1996) of the Friends of Freedom Society, a statewide Underground Railroad research organization, will lead a presentation outlining the Underground Railroad that was active in this area in the 1800s.

A more local spin on our author visit in February, Ms. Blankenship’s talk will reveal the stories of the Columbus conductors and "station-masters" through first-person narratives. 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.

Ms. Blankenship will address the Underground Railroad and Upper Arlington.

There will be a brief Q&A module at the conclusion of the presentation to discuss a few questions from the audience.

Cost: Free to the public. No registration required.

Location: Municipal Services Center, Council Chambers, 3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington.

Parking: Parking is available in both the front and back of the MSC building. Please arrive with adequate time to park and be seated for a 7pm start.

• Read the March/April 2022 Tri-Village magazine article about our event and Leslie Blankenship!

• See our event flyer

Join us for 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.  

Support our local Cover to Cover bookstore by purchasing your book here. Bring it with you to the event, as Ms. Hagedorn will have a book signing following her presentation.

Click here for more information on all our History Speaks Vol 2 events.

After reading Beyond the River, check out Ann’s latest book, Sleeper Agent, also available through Cover to Cover.

Note: This is an in-person event. For the safety and comfort of all attendees, masks are required at all times for all attendees. We will follow current COVID-19 protocols at the time of the event.

We will sell tickets to only 35% of the event venue's capacity. Jones Middle School has a large auditorium, and attendees will be encouraged to sit throughout to limit contact with others. You must agree to terms and conditions during your ticket purchase and abide by those the evening of the event.