2011 Season at the Museum

Middle Ages to be Demonstrated at Historical Society's Quarterly Meeting

The program will feature members of the Society for Creative Anachronism - recreating what life was like in the Middle Ages. The Grand River Historical Society will hold their quarterly meeting on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30 PM at the Elks Lodge, 401 Harvester Road in Chillicothe. This event is open to the public as well as all members of the Historical Society.

The program will feature members of the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) recreating what life was like in the Middle Ages by demonstrating crafts, traditions and social aspects of the era. Included in the program will be dancing, fighting, archery, fiber arts and candle making. If you are familiar with the Renaissance Festival currently being held in Kansas City this will be a similar event in our community without your having to travel to the city.

Heading the group will be Chillicothe resident Katherine Pogatshnik aided by several of her fellow SCA members. The SCA period covers the civilized world between 600 and 1600 AD, concentrating on the Western European high middle ages. They provide a hands-on, social way of learning about history, turning dusty dull books into vibrant, memorable, real life experience by actively recreating the period.

The SCA began in 1966 in Berkeley, California and has grown to over 24,000 members around the world. It is a feudal society divided into Kingdoms ruled by a King and Queen with a Prince and Princess and a council of Great Officers who run the kingdom. Within a kingdom which may cover many states there are subdivisions called Principalities and local chapters called Baronies, Shires, and Cantons. The local chapters plan and run the events and meetings. Each member picks a name representative of the era which is used during all of their activities.

A dinner of miniature turkey legs (actually chicken legs and thighs) will be served along with vegetable, salad, dessert and drink at a cost of $6.00. Please call the museum at 660-646-1341 or Ron Wilder at 660-646-0502 for reservations. We do have answering machines so leave a message if no one answers and leave you name and the number attending.

Hours for the museum are from 1:00 to 4:00 each Saturday and Sunday through October so you only have a few more weeks until the season is over. If you are a member of a group and would like to schedule a special tour call the museum at 660-646-1341 and set up arrangements with our curator, Pam Clingerman.

Museum Opens for Season The Grand River Historical Society opened its doors for the season this weekend with over 70 patrons Saturday and again on Sunday. The museum was recently updated with an additional display area that features what Chillicothe looked like in the late 19th / early 20th century.

The Grand River Historical Society Museum held an open house with refreshments on Sunday to celebrate the recent improvements made to the east room which was converted into what Main Street might have looked like in the 1800s. This young gentleman took a moment to browse through the history of Chillicothe High School.

Chillicothe History Unveiled CAPTION: Through the east corridor, where once a quilt hung with storage space behind, is now Main Street Chillicothe, circa the 19th/early 20th century. Those who walk through can glance at the old barber shop or even Fashion Palace, stop at the tool shop, and even walk through the newly-erected barn, housing farm tools and equipment. Where might someone find such a place? Try the Grand River Historical Society Museum at its grand opening for the year this Saturday and Sunday, from 1 until 4 p.m.

Chillicothe history is making a bold statement this Saturday, as local artifacts come to life at the newly-updated Grand River Historical Society Museum. The 2011 season opens Saturday at 1 p.m. at 1401 Forest Drive. The museum will also be open Sunday and will be open each weekend during the summer from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

The east room, formerly used as storage, has taken on a new look where downtown Chillicothe is once again thriving as patrons will see a barber shop, dress shop and much more new to the museum. "This area has been used in the past for storage of items that were not on display," stated board member Ron Wilder, "but now, it has been transformed into a replica of a late 19th, early 20th century Main Street." The tool room, which had been a big hit in the past, has seen major improvements and has been resurrected inside a barn that is the centerpiece of the display.

Marvin Holcer, president of the Historical Society Museum, is excited about the new changes to the recently updated display. "We're going to keep adding to it too," said Holcer, who went on to say that even after the museum opens, a continuous stream of new artifacts will be put into cases as the season progresses.

As an added draw, the museum will be conducting a contest with a $50 first place cash prize. In the middle of the front room you will find the "What Is It" display. Inside are 17 items which are a part of Livingston County's history but which have faded away from use over the years. Entry forms will be available on the counter for you to try your hand at identifying as many of them as you can. A box will be on the counter for you to drop in your entry. The contest will run through April and May and the individual who correctly names the most will be announced in June. If there is a tie for the top spot between two entries, each will receive $25. If more than two tie, the names will be dropped in a box and two winners will be picked out, each receiving $25.

Visit the museum any weekend this summer and learn about the history of the Chillicothe area. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always accepted.

CAPTION: The furniture store and dress shop as seen looking through the south door of the barn.

CAPTION: Thanks to local artists Kelly Poling and Scott Rule, the east room at the Grand River Historical Society Museum has been transformed into a thriving Chillicothe Main Street, circa 19th/early 20th century. The mural at the south wall was painted by Poling, and each of the store fronts, where work continues, is being done by both Poling and Rule.