Spring Grand River Historical Society Spring Tea Offers Glimpse Into Area's Past

CAPTION: The table holding old F.R. Bailey wedding photos proved to be one of the biggest attractions at the Grand River Historical Society's season-opening spring tea held at the society's museum. Those attending the event were encouraged to look through the photos and help identify the subjects in the pictures. Historical society officials reported that, once identified, the pictures will be offered to the subjects in exchange for a $30 lifetime membership in the society. The pictures are being offered for free to subjects in the pictures who are already members of the historical society.

C-T Photo by Laura Schuler

CAPTION: The Grand River Historical Society's spring tea featured a new guest exhibit provided by Gilbert and Nelda Cox. The exhibit featured several items from the Coxes' collection including vintage matchboxes, political memorabilia and a hat decorated with campaign buttons. From left: Gilbert Cox and Dr. Jack Neal, curator of the museum.

C-T Photo by Laura Schuler

Just over 100 people attended the annual spring tea at the Grand River Historical Society Museum Sunday afternoon. The annual event kicked off the museum's season, which lasts until October, and featured a variety of new exhibits. According to Grand River Historical Society president Dr. Frank Stark, the spring tea was a successful one.

"People showed interest in all of the exhibits and were very complimentary on the cleanliness of the museum and the arrangement of the artifacts," Stark said Tuesday. One of those in attendance was Terri May, of Chillicothe, who said she enjoyed looking through the various exhibits at the museum Sunday. "I think this (the spring tea) is great. I like old stuff, like antiques and you can certainly tell that someone spent a lot of time getting ready for this," May said.

Perhaps garnering the most attention throughout the afternoon was a table filled with old F.R. Bailey wedding photos which were donated by Bailey to the historical society. Bailey used the photos in his business, Bailey Studio, before selling it to Jon Shannon and retiring in 1997 after about 40 years in business. Those attending were encouraged to look through the 16-by-20 inch board-mounted photos to help identify the subjects in the photos.

Recently, historical society officials announced that pictures that were identified will be offered to the subjects in the pictures -- for free if they are already members of the Grand River Historical Society. If they're not members, they can receive the pictures by paying for a $30 lifetime membership in the society.

CAPTION: F.R. Bailey (left), retired owner and founder of Bailey Studio, and Dr. Frank Stark, president of the Grand River Historical Society, show two of the almost 500 old display portraits that Bailey donated to the society. The portraits are being organized and stored at the Grand River Historical Society Museum and offered to the people in the pictures in exchange for membership in the society.