We have made it through 2008 season at the Lawrence County Historical Museum.

The Christmas Tea in November was a great success. We had the largest crowd ever and the food was excellent.

Our servers were Bob Price and Herb Brown. Historical society members prepared the food.

The historical ghost walk at Woodland Cemetery in October was another success. There was a great crowd for it.

During the last three years we have lost six members of our historical society. They were Pauline Kennedy, Marty Smith, Lynn Rapp, Irene Lane, Doris Higgins and Robert Price. They were very special people who contributed greatly to the success of our museum. They will be missed.

Looking ahead to the New Year, our officers for 2009 are president, Patricia Arrington; vice-president, Peggy Karshner; secretary, Margaret Rehme and treasurer, Herb Brown. They were elected at our last meeting.

Peggy Karshner has done a very good job as president. She has served in that capacity for the past three years.

A wonderful “surprise” awaits us when a new (to us) baby grand piano makes its way into our parlor. It is beautiful and has a lovely tone. We are eager to receive it.

New docents are invited to join our society for the coming year. Please call us at 532-1222. Our docent leader this past year, Kelly Myers, did a very good job. We are really looking forward to having more docents in the coming year.

Again, we say goodbye until April 2009 when a new season at the Lawrence County Historical Museum begins. We wish you a safe and healthy winter. See you in the spring!

Historical fact: The American Indian in Ohio.

Ohio’s original settlers were tribes of American Indians who arrived in the Ohio area during the Paleoindian Period (13,000 BC-7,000 BC). As these tribes grew, their population became more concentrated in smaller areas. Groups such as the Adena and Hopewell began to create earthworks for burial or religious ceremonies.

Some of these earthworks still exist today throughout the state. When Europeans came to America, they traded peacefully with the Indian tribes. By this time, native tribes were living in a network of highly developed communities. However, tensions flared as Europeans began to settle in Ohio, most notably during the French and Indian War in the 1750s.

The two groups clashed over land during the next 60 years as Shawnee Chief Tecumseh strove to unite the tribes in resistance to the new settlers. The struggle ended with Tecumseh’s death during the War of 1812. The last Indian tribe left Ohio in 1843. (Information taken from Profile Ohio).

Naomi Deer is a trustee for the Lawrence County Historical Society.