The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Historical Society to tell story of city
The Lorain Historical Society is preparing a permanent exhibit which will seek to tell the story of the International City through astounding artifacts and displays.
Barb Piscopo, executive director of the Historical Society, said the upcoming exhibit is just the first phase of an attempt to tell the tale of Lorain based on various themes.
“It’s not necessarily going to be a chronological story, but rather cover the story of Lorain thematically,” Piscopo said.
The funding for the first phase was provided by the state, and the Historical Society hopes its unveiling will inspire other donations for the second phase, she said.
“The two sections that we identified as phase one are the Lorain Lighthouse, because that’s the welcoming beacon into the city and everyone has that nostalgic feeling over such an iconic landmark,” Piscopo said. “And then the other area that made a lot of sense to us to combine into a segment, is the major industries in Lorain.”
These industries are steel, the auto industry and shipbuilding.
“People can argue the railroads brought people to Lorain,” Piscopo said. “People can argue all kinds of things about other industries, but those were the big three in our minds, and I think in the community’s minds that brought the most people to Lorain.
“Shipbuilding because it was one of the first, when it was wooden ships. But then American Ship coming into Lorain really put the city’s name on the map and really used the Black River and travel to the Great Lakes.
“Obviously, Ford brought lots of people to Lorain and created amazing jobs in the city. And you can’t argue with steel.”
Some of the artifacts that will be on display include a model of the Lorain Lighthouse, pieces connected to some of the first ships built in the city and early pieces connected to the steel industry.
Piscopo and curator Kaitlyn Donaldson teased another exciting artifact which will be on display, but were tight-lipped about what that will be.
The Historical Society will hold a VIP exhibit preview from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 8, at the Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th St., which already has closed for reservations.
But at 7 p.m., there will be a members only exhibit preview which is free to members who are current as of Aug. 1. Nonmembers will incur a $25 charge.
There will be an open house for the public from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 11, that will cost $10.
After that, the exhibit will be open during the Historical Society’s normal operating hours which will cost $8.
Piscopo said exhibits like these are important for two reasons.
“Number one, it is important to remember the many things in Lorain’s past that make it a very great city and have brought people here which made us the International City,” she said. “I also think that exhibits of this grandeur are important here because we deserve this quality type of exhibit, and we deserve the preservation of a cultural heritage which is this grand.”
While these industries have shaped the city up until now, the future of the city will be built on the work ethic, resilience, grit and ability to get along with people of different backgrounds will be what restores the city to its former stature, Piscopo said.