DiscoveringOhio

The Beautiful Fashion in Kent

It’s amazing to know that some of the world’s greatest fashion collections are just down the road from my house. Kent State University Museum is filled with some of the most grandiose garments ever made. It was easy for me to overlook this world-famous museum, which rivals Victoria & Albert Museum in London, tucked away in an Akron suburb so I decided to take a second look.

I’ve been to the Kent State University Museum once before. I was in middle school and my best friend’s dad, who is a fashion designer, took us to see one of his garments. I remember being filled with excitement and thinking, “I want to do that one day.” Even though my life has taken a different path, I still have a love and an appreciation for fashion design. Some people think that fashion design is just making clothes but it’s more of an art form. Fashion greats like Alexander McQueen have popularized the couture fashion as an art movement.

It is a mistake to think the fashion industry isn’t diverse. Although there could be more recognition for multicultural designers, there are some African-American designers making a name for themselves in the mainstream fashion industry, including Tracy Reese, Rachel Roy and Stephen Burrows.

So when I went to the museum for a second time many years later, I had a greater understanding of the passion and creativity it takes to make such fashions. Featuring five temporary exhibits and an expansive permanent collection from centuries past, this museum has just about everything. From gowns to corsets to glass sculptures and more, this museum has many pieces that tell the story of world history through art.

The museum features a donated collection of 4,000 costumes and accessories, nearly 1,000 pieces of decorative art and a 5,000 volume reference library from designers Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers. The exhibit “RESIST: A World of Resist Dye Techniques” was a favorite of mine. This exhibit featured chemical, mechanical and ikat techniques of dying fabrics to create patterns. Although most of us are familiar with tie-dye from the 60s and 70s, these different dying techniques have been around for centuries. Nigeria, Japan, India and Indonesia are just some of the many countries with histories of resist dyeing. The “Fandemonium” exhibit was also a fun collection which featured an array of hand-painted fans from the eighteenth century and art deco pieces from the twentieth century.

Walking through the museum this time was a completely different experience. It was great to see how these designs and art pieces have influenced today’s African-American designers. KSU fashion and merchandising students take advantage of this museum and you can too. Definitely make this a stop on your next weekend getaway and while you're there check out other fun attractions around Kent.

Your Guide to Lighthouses Along the Lake Erie Coast

When people think of lighthouses they often think of the East Coast or Florida. But did you know that Ohio is home to a number of lighthouses? Many of these structures once served the robust shipping industry and provided light and signals to ships entering port. Today some of the lighthouses are still active, others are maintained as pieces of Ohio and Lake Erie's rich history.

I have always enjoyed lighthouses. When I travel in Ohio or out of the state boundaries, I always take a photo of a lighthouse if it is nearby. They are majestic yet calming structures at the same time.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has compiled a comprehensive list of past and present Ohio lighthouses, which is a great resource for your next Ohio lighthouse venture. This list is statewide and includes a few lighthouses not along the coast, such as the Grand Lake St. Mary's Lighthouses in Celina, Ohio and the Perry Memorial Monument, built in 1915, and located on South Bass Island.

I encourage you to take a leisurely drive along U.S. State Route 6 this spring. This northern highway will take you past many of Ohio's lighthouses, if not a stone's throw away from them.

Here's my top 4 Ohio Lighthouses:

1) Marblehead Lighthouse (Marblehead, Ohio): Built in 1812, this is Ohio's oldest lighthouse and one of its most breathtaking. Tours are given here in the summer on weekends. Perch on the rocks outside and on a clear day try to spot the Lake Erie Islands.

Marblehead Lighthouse

 

2) Huron Lighthouse (Huron, Ohio): Heading further east, this lighthouse sits a short ways off the shore. It is accessible by a mile-long pier. The lighthouse is not open to tours but is enjoyable to look at and take photos of up close or from shore. It beholds a sort of quiet mystery.

3) Lorain Lighthouse (Lorain, Ohio): Dubbed the "Jewel of the Port" this cheerful lighthouse looks very much like a house. Tours are available in the summer -- accessible only by boat!

Lorain Lighthouse

4) Conneaut Lighthouse (Conneaut, Ohio): A trip to Ohio's far east side will take you to Conneaut, where the waters are just as clear and blue. This lighthouse, built in 1835, sits far from the shore but offers a lovely view of the water and a huge beach.

 

 Which Ohio lighthouse is your favorite?

Ohioana Literary Immersion - Connecting Readers with Ohio Authors

More than a century after the death of renowned Ohio poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, his words and emotion come alive again in the home and environment that inspired him.

 

Sitting in the Dunbar House in Dayton, African-American poet Herbert Woodward Martin brings to life Dunbar's famous poetry. Dunbar's work is notable for the two distinct voices in his poetry: Standard English and the sometimes controversial style written in dialect that was signature of turn-of-the-century African-American culture.

 

Check out the video from the "On the Road" Saturday Literary Adventure Series.

 

 

Standing in front of a larger than life photo of Dunbar, Woodward personifies the ebb and flow and sometimes musical words of the poet that continue to influence American literature. In between readings, the full-house audience is able to engage in a discussion about all of Dunbar's work that includes novels, short stories, plays, songs and essays. Questions ranged from meanings behind specific works to Dunbar's personal life and close relationship with the Wright Brothers. 

This day of "A Poetic Friendship: Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright Brothers" includes a tour of the Dunbar House, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park and the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center.

It is a perfect way to learn about the Ohio author who spent so much time growing up in the exact spot we are sitting, and truly understand him.

This is the first "On the Road" Saturday Literary Adventure Series presented by Ohioana Library that is presented monthly to connect readers with Ohio writers in the setting that made them or their works famous. 

Upcoming series topics include: "Cleveland: Play Ball! The Cleveland Indians, Progressive field and Dan Coughlin," "The Ohio State University: Lit Lives and Landmarks: Get Ready for OSU Football" and "Holmes County: The Mysteries of Ohio Amish Country." For more information about these programs and upcoming monthly programs, check out the full details at On the Road with Ohioana Library. Don't miss the Ohioana Book Festival: Celebrating Ohio's Authors this Saturday, May 11th at the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center in Columbus.

This fantastic series is truly a sensory immersion! In just a few short hours at this Saturday series, I learned so much about Paul Laurence Dunbar and experienced his surroundings in a way that alters how I will forever read his poetry. What a fun and engaging way to discover our Ohio authors! 

Let the Fiesta Begin!

They say somewhere that if you read five books on the same subject, you can become an expert on that topic.  Apply that same theory to margaritas and I am a Margarita Guru!

As Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) approaches, the commemoration of the Mexican Army’s defeat over the French during the Franco American War and a day of Mexican heritage and pride, Mexican restaurants open their doors for a day of celebration.

As a self-proclaimed Margarita Expert, I want to lend you my expertise on where you could find some great Mexican restaurants in Ohio that will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo so you too could join in the festivities.

 

 

 

 

La Fiesta (Richmond Heights) - As far as margaritas go – they serve the best around.  The bartender will not reveal his secret recipe (trust me I’ve asked – begged even).  As the oldest authentic and family owned restaurant in Cleveland, they have the best experience throwing a Cinco de Mayo blowout bash.  

 

 

Nada (Cincinnati) – A more upscale Mexican dining experience, Nada’s menu has a lot of great selections and some excellent guacamole to boot!  As far as margaritas go – Delicious! It’s a popular night spot and reservations are strongly recommended.

 

 

Barrio (Tremont) – Their build your own tacos was definitely intriguing since I’m such a picky eater and their choices are plentiful. The cost of $3 a taco make it well worth it to try different combinations.  When I tried their margarita I was pleasantly excited. Not too sour and just the right amount of tequila! 

 

Señor Antonio's (Columbus) – I always enjoy going to this restaurant when I am in Columbus. The service is always fantastic and the pitcher of margaritas that we drank hit the spot. When you go, I recommend you order the queso dip, a white cheese dip that goes great with your salsa and chips.

 

Lopez (Cleveland Heights) – During happy hour, they offer half-off tequila which is a perfect way for me to try out different types of tequilas. The different kinds truly alter the flavor of my drink. Their Mexican inspired menu is also a nice culmination of Mexican cuisine with a contemporary fusion style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just SOME of my favorite Mexican restaurants.  There are too many to list here, but plenty to choose from in Ohio. However you fiesta, enjoy responsibly.  Where are your favorite Cinco de Mayo destinations?

Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial Celebration

Here are some great ways to see history come to life along Ohio's northern coast as celebrations leading up to the 200th anniversary celebration of Commodore Oliver Perry's great victory at the  Battle of Lake Erie kick into high gear this Spring and Summer.

The battle on September 10, 1813 was one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812 and a turning point in the war for Americans.

Summer travelers can get a jump on the celebrations by checking out some of these events prior to the major bicentennial commemorations in September:

• May 3-5

  First Siege of Fort Meigs 200th Anniversary Commemoration (Perrysburg)

  Battle re-enactments commemorate Americans who withstood sieges laid on the fort in 1813, defending American positions and helping pave the way for American forces gaining control of Lake Erie later that year. The event includes one of the first opportunities to view an exhibit full of rare and never-before-seen artifacts from the War of 1812 at the Fort Meigs museum.

  
  

   

• May 25

  4th Annual Salute to the Troops, Perry's Victory Visitor Center (Put-in-Bay)

  The theme of this year's salute is "Honoring War of 1812 Casualties" and features music, games and speakers to kick off the season-long Bicentennial to the Battle of Lake Erie commemoration.

• July 4

  Independence Day at Fort Meigs (Perrysburg)

  An 18-gun salute highlights Fort Meigs’ Independence Day celebration as re-enactors recreate 1813 celebrations with demonstrations, fife and drum music, and fun activities for kids.

• July 4

  Centennial Celebration of the Cornerstone Laying of Perry's Memorial (Put-in-Bay)

  A celebration starts with the swearing in of some of our country’s newest citizens and hundreds of new enlistees to the United States’ Armed Forces. A parade featuring the United States Army Band and re-enactment of the laying of the cornerstone of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial follows.

  
  
  

   

• August 9-November 10

  Perry’s Victory: The Battle of Lake Erie, 1813-Toledo Museum of Art (Toledo)

  Toledo Museum of Art exhibit features paintings, prints, sculpture, artifacts, letters and music to tell the story of Commodore Perry’s victory in Lake Erie. Be sure to check out a special showing of the heroically scaled painting, Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie by Thomas Birch, that depicts a critical moment just before the surrender of the British ships.

• Aug 23

  Happy Birthday, Commodore Perry!-Perry's Victory Visitor Center (Put-in-Bay)

  Celebrate the 228^th anniversary of Commodore Perry’s birth at the Perry Victory Visitor Center. Enjoy a tour with a costumed Perry interpreter and musket and cannon-firing demonstrations. Wear period garb and participate in Perry look-alike and trivia contests with prizes.

  

   Photo courtesy of Perry Victory and International Peace Memorial, National Park Service, used with permission

Visit Fort Meigs and Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial sites for more War of 1812 events. The Discover Ohio, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial sites are also great resources for event listings and learning about Ohio’s role in this important era of our country’s history.

I'll be back here later this summer with listings for the big Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial events scheduled for September.

A Trip Down the Road is a Trip Back in Time

For some, the essence of central Ohio can be summed up in one word: farm. The deep agricultural roots that have pushed this state forward for years are still alive and growing, and a day’s visit to Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County can prove it to you.

Malabar Farm State Park has more to offer than we could see on a single, chilly March day, but the prospect of spring was everywhere in the air.  Upon arriving, the Visitor Center was welcoming and informative.  Numerous interactive activities kept our children happy and even taught us a thing or two about farming and the environment.  Malabar Farm prides itself on being a “green” facility; there is a windmill located on the property and even the bathroom ceramic tiles are made from recycled materials!  There is a cow station to learn how to milk, bird calls to learn, and a scale model of the entire property to entice you to head outdoors…after you check out the well-stocked gift store, complete with fudge and a parrot that like to talk to you after you walk away.

The farm itself is a working farm and visitors are able to walk through the barns on a tour or by themselves as we did.  Cows, sheep, ponies, goats, chickens and turkeys graced our afternoon, and a clever barn cat followed us around before sneaking into the straw for a nap. 

Also available for a tour is the Big House, once the home of Louis Bromfield.  The Pulitzer Prize winning author and conservationist lived in a fully-functioning Malabar Farm from 1942 until his death in 1956.  In his lifetime he wrote a number of fictional and non-fictional novels, including many based on his life at the farm.  His books are available in the gift store.

During our spring visit, we decided to head to the woods for a family hike.  The property is laced with hiking trails, allowing you to see all of the property.  We walked through a beech-maple forest and stopped to watch wildlife and play in some of the sandstone blocks that specked the forest.

Malabar Farm State Park has a number of activities planned for the year, and I can easily see how a family would make a wonderful weekend out of a visit.  There are places listed on their website for lodging, and a delightful farm stand and restaurant up the road.  I would say it is well worth the journey in a car to take a trip back in time into a landscape of rolling hills, pastures, forests, and a brilliant writer who made it all possible.

 

 

Lanterman's Mill -- a picturesque Youngstown landmark

It’s one of the iconic images in the Mahoning Valley: Water rushing over Lanterman’s Falls, so named for the grist mill that was built next to it. The mill, and the creek that ran alongside it were the namesake for what became the second-largest metropolitan park in the United States and informally nicknamed Youngstown’s Green Cathedral.

I’m a Youngstown native, so I grew up spoiled by the presence of Mill Creek Park. I figured everyone had a park like that in their backyard (The Butler Art Institute also made me think every town had an art museum). But Lanterman’s Mill isn’t just a showpiece: It’s a working mill highlighting a vanished way of life.

Lanterman’s Mill – named for German Lanterman, who built it in 1846 with his brother-in-law Samuel Kimberly – was the third mill built on the site. The city of Youngstown was founded in 1797 by John Young, a New Yorker who stipulated the construction when he sold the land of a saw and grist mill, which operated from 1799 until its replacement in 1822. The second mill on the site was a grist mill, but it was swept away in an 1843 flood.

Lanterman’s Mill used an overshot water wheel for most of its existence, but converted into turbines before ultimately closing because of its obsolescence in 1888. The six-story structure was used for years by Mill Creek Park, which was established in 1891. It served as a bathhouse and concession stand when people could still swim in the creek, as nature and historical museum space, and as storage and offices for the park.

In 1982, thanks to a donation from the Ward Beecher Foundation, work began to restore the mill to its working condition. I’m old enough to remember the days when Idora Park, an amusement park within walking distance of the mill, was open while the mill was closed. The restored mill opened in working condition, and continues to grind grains for flour and meal.

It continues to offer spectacular views of a concrete arch bridge that is now Canfield Road, and also features a smaller covered bridge like those taken by farmers bringing their grain to be milled. Like most Youngstown natives, I took a field trip to the mill, for Mr. Gilboy’s science class in eighth grade at Volney Rogers Junior High School (its namesake was the founder of Mill Creek Park). The mill is open on weekends through the month of April, but will return to its summer hours in May.

We had a picnic on the flats down near the Silver Bridge when we went there in eighth grade, but the mill and the park aren’t far from the original Handel’s Ice Cream Stand, at the corner of Midlothian Avenue and Market Street. It’s been called the busiest ice cream stand in the world. It’s worth it.

For Your Ohio Bucket List: The Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio

There are certain events and activities that stand out in my childhood memories. They seem incredibly vivid even though I was very young at the time. One of those memories was when my family took me to to The Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio. I was probably about seven or eight at the time, but the amazement and wonder the museum held stuck in my mind.

Fast forward 20 years and I found myself planning a weekend trip to the Dover, Ohio area last fall. When I realized that was the location of the infamous Warther Museum from my youth, I knew I had to go back. I began to describe to my husband how amazing this museum is, which features intricate and world-renowned wood carvings created by Ernest "Mooney" Warther, and convinced him we had to go.

A few hours after our visit he too was astounded by the displays in the museum and the story of this amazingly gifted man. Over the course of the weekend we visited a number of attractions in the Dover and New Philadelphia areas, but none stood out like The Warther Museum. This museum should be on your bucket list. You will not be disappointed!

Warther's famous and priceless carvings of locomotives, canes, a moving steel mill replica and more moving wooden pliers carvings than you can count decorate the museum. You will receive a guided tour and listen to several videos and audio recordings along the way.

You will also learn about how the Warther family tradition continues today in their knife-making shop, and you can see family members hard at work during business hours. Also be sure to check out the Button House, which showcases buttons collected by wife Freida Warther. You can also take a self-guided tour through the couple's home and see what life in 1920s America looked like.

The Warther Museum is located in Dover, Ohio. You can find additional information about the museum, its hours of operation, admission prices and special events by visiting the museum online or by calling 330-343-7513. The museum is open year-round. Visiting during the warmer months is ideal so you can enjoy the outdoor displays and gardens that surround the museum. Parking is free.

Consider pairing your visit with an overnight stay in Dover or New Philadelphia. The Amish communities offer a number of family-friendly attractions and shops. Additionally, for adults there are several wineries located in the area. Start planning your visit now and check out the Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau online for tips on other attractions and where to stay.

King of the Nation's 19th-Century Bridge Builders

I love old bridges, and my last name is King, so it's a bit of a hobby for me to spot old King Bridge Company spans as we travel.

Zenas King was once king of the nation's bridge builders, owning a Cleveland company responsible for building thousands of bridges across the nation during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

There were a few scattered craft businesses building iron bridges in the mid-1800s, but King envisioned bridge building becoming a national manufacturing industry as the nation's westward expansion demanded a rapidly growing transportation network.

King moved to Cleveland from Cincinnati in 1861 because of Cleveland's lakeside location and proximity to established transportation routes like the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Detroit-Superior Bridge, top, and Center Street Bridge, bottom

King formed partnerships with Cleveland foundries, rolling mills and other related businesses. His company built all types of bridges, as well as manufacturing things like iron roof trusses, fencing and jail cells.

King Bridge Company built more than 5,000 spans throughout the United States by 1882, becoming the largest highway bridge works in the nation at the time.

The King family continued running the company after Zenas died in 1892, building many of its largest bridges and steel frames for structures such as shopping arcades, grandstands, office buildings, and factories during the early 1900s.

The King Bridge Company folded in 1923 after financial and legal problems related to cooperative arrangements among big bridge builders to control and share highway bridge projects.

Iron bridges deteriorate as they age, so many  spans built during the King Bridge Company's heyday no longer exist, but some of the company's spans still stand throughout the country (including a couple of reworked bridges on Detroit's Belle Isle).

Here are a few King bridges I've found in and around Cleveland:

The Detroit-Superior Bridge - This span is one of downtown Cleveland's most recognizable landmarks. Built in 1917 and 1918, the double-deck bridge originally carried streetcars on one level (now closed) and still carries automotive and pedestrian traffic on the other level and linking the east and west sides of the city. Its central steel arch is 93 feet above the Cuyahoga River, allowing boats to travel underneath the bridge without having to raise it.

The Center Street Bridge sits in the shadow of the larger Detroit-Superior span. Built in 1901, the bridge is one of the city's oldest spans. It is a rare bobtail swing-style bridge, pivoting, rather than lifting, to allow river traffic to pass through.

The 1907-built Baltimore and Ohio Bridge #464 is a Scherzer Rolling Lift, or bascule-style bridge. It is one of several unused railroad bridges that stand in a permanently upraised position in Cleveland's Flats area.

The 203-foot-long Hillside Road Bridge spans the Cuyahoga River near the Canal Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The riveted nine-panel truss-style highway bridge built in 1923 is likely one of the last bridges built by the King Bridge Company. Cuyahoga County rehabilitated the bridge and built a pedestrian bridge beside the highway bridge in 2003.

To find more information about the King Bridge Company visit their website.

A Diverse Celebration of Women

It’s March in Ohio and that could only mean one thing. It’s Women’s History Month!

 

Since 1987, after an outcry of support from the public, Congress passed a law that designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. Throughout the years, thousands of events have grown from this celebration of the historical and cultural achievements of women. Ohio has many events planned to celebrate some of its most famous female pioneers.

When I reflect upon the many talented women who have made amazing strides for progress, I am reminded that many of these women are natives of the Buckeye State. Women like Gloria Steinem, a women’s liberation pioneer; Halle Berry, the first African-American to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards; Grammy Award-winning singer Nancy Wilson; Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison; and architect Maya Lin, known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Throughout Ohio there are places that celebrate the many accomplishments of women. In Cleveland, the International Women's Air & Space Museum is a great place to learn about Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride, Bessie Coleman and other great female aviators and astronauts.  The museum has a wide collection of vintage photography from the most inspiring era of aviation history.

 

 The Goodrich House in Cleveland was founded by Flora Stone Mather and is one of the first settlement houses in the area. Although it was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the house had come to be recognized as an institution that united many immigrant communities. Now renamed Goodrich-Gannett Neighborhood Center, this staple offers after-school programs, cooking and photography for young adults.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati was once the residence of the famed author of
Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The historical site includes a look at the abolitionist, rights and Underground Railroad movements in which Harriet Beecher Stowe participated in the 1830s to 1860s.

Annually the world celebrates International Women’s Day, which is a global recognition of the increasing success and achievements of women everywhere. When I was an undergrad at Ohio University, my roommate and I started a belly dancing club to celebrate the beauty of dance and help build self confidence in the women of Athens. We participated in the campus celebration of International Women’s Day for several years. It was an empowering experience to debunk myths about Middle Eastern belly dance and to let my peers know they can feel beautiful in their own skin.

Even though Women’s History Month is just 31 days, it will take you longer than that to experience all of Ohio’s historical attractions. With such a rich history and talented natives, there’s no wonder so many women call Ohio their home.

What are your Women’s History Month plans?