Conneaut history surrounds you as soon as you step in the door. Explore our displays including a Hulett mock-up, vintage farm tools, pioneer housewife items like a butter churn and wringer washing machine, a soda fountain, and display cases crammed with interesting artifacts. Search our collection of high school yearbooks for that lost classmate or teacher and explore our scrapbooks for pictures of the past.
If you would like a group tour of the museum or want to use the research library, please contact us. We are located on Mill Street in a former New York Central Railroad Freight Depot built in 1873. Our telephone number is : 440-599-6011. Or if you want to contact us via email through our website, email us at: kathywarnes@gmail.com
Check out more Conneaut history stories by clicking on a story on the top menu. This will take you to another page of Conneaut history.
Our History
In July 1996, a Historical Weekend was planned with displays and artifacts exhibited at the United Church of Christ. The persons responsible were Ed Wharton, Bert Drennen and Dean Horton. “We should have our own Historical society,” they said.
After a trip to Dalton, Ohio, Reverend Dwight Hayes returned to Conneaut, convinced that a Historical Society could be organized here. He saw the results of such a society there, where two buildings now house their collection. He asked several persons who would be interested and learned of the three who had worked at the Historical Weekend Bicentennial. He heard of others also, and called a meeting at the Carnegie Library to explore the possibilities.
They mentioned others. Soon, a group of more than a dozen persons met twice a month for that purpose. The interim officers were Ed Wharton and Dwight Hayes, chairpersons; Fran and Bob Bickensderfer, secretary and treasurer; Durwood Stout, historian; Lynn Chapman, photographer; and Louise Legeza, newsletter editor. Others on the committee were Martha Benson, John Colver, Bert and Carol Drennen, Dean Horton, John Laughlin and Bim Orrenmaa.
A charter meeting was planned for October 19, 1996. It was well attended.
October17, 1996
Historical Society
Conneaut Group Seeks New Members
by Mark Todd, Staff Writer
Conneaut. Music and exhibits will be showcased at Saturday’s Charter Membership Gala for the Conneaut Area Historical Society to be held at the First United Methodist Church, Buffalo and Madison Streets.The event will begin at 3 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall.
Plenty of activities have been scheduled to help kick off the group’s membership drive. Music will be provided by Bob Anderson, banjo maker and performer and singer Susannah Sherman. John Hayes and his children James and Sarah, will attend wearing the Colonial-era costumes they displayed at a recent Yankee Peddler Festival.
Tim Scrofano of Conneaut, who this summer won the Masters Division of the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, will attend to show a videotape of his appearance on the “Tonight Show” starring Jay Leno.
At a roundtable discussion, people will talk about the land and people of Conneaut. Displays will show artifacts, tools, photographs, and miscellaneous materials from the city’s past.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to share stories and personal histories.
Displays will be provided by Bob Blickensderfer, Dean Horton, Martha Benson, Louise Legeza, and John Colver. Master of Ceremonies for the event is Bert Drennen.
Refreshments will be served. The celebration will be videotaped for future broadcast on local cable channel 6.
Memberships to the Conneaut Area Historical Society are available at three levels: Individual, $10; family, $15.00; and patron, $50.00.
The group, formed over the summer, is dedicated to collecting information about the Conneaut area’s history, and preserving artifacts and relics. Members are interested in creating a museum for the display of items either donated or loaned to the society.
The event was well attended.
By the end of the year, nearly 150 persons had become charter members. Soon the group elected permanent officers and met monthly on the 4th Tuesday, at the Masonic Temple. A steering committee also meets once a month.
From the Conneaut Area Historical Society Newsletter
December 1998
A Message from Conneaut Area Historical Society President Jim Jones
June 2022
Conneaut Area Historical Society Seeks Continued Support
The Conneaut Area Historical Society wants to thank all members who have been prompt with their dues.
However, due to Covid and the loss of our Secretary, Joan Barnett, we no longer have a newsletter being sent to members. We are asking you again for your support, because utilities, taxes, and upkeep on the buildings must be maintained.
Thank you again for your continued support. As always, new members are welcome. You can call: 440-593-3019, with any further questions or write to Conneaut Area Historical Society. P.O Box 563, Conneaut, Ohio, 44030.
Thanking you in advance,
Jim Jones, President, Conneaut Area Historical Society
Please join our Museum family and if you can volunteer your help on our winter projects. You can download, print out and fill out this application and send it back to us.
Capturing Conneaut History with the Conneaut Area Historical Society 