Oberlin Heritage Center Buzz

Hear what people are saying!

• "Visiting my sister and her husband, who live in Oberlin, I was at the Heritage Center for the first time and was very favorably impressed." (tour visitor, May 2015)

• "As older adults we all were impressed with how much we all learned... The tour guide was excellent!" (group tour leader, May 2015)

• "Thank you so much for taking the time with our students in March to talk about Oberlin's participation in the Underground Railroad Movement. Our students had a wonderful time!" (group tour leader, May 2015)

• "I really enjoy your gazette.  Fabulous!" (an OHC E-Gazette reader, May 2015)

• "Many thanks for this latest issue of the Newseltter: it was chockfull of interesting and informative items. Oberlin citizens are fortunte to have such an organization (and its staff) here." (an OHC E-Gazette reader, November 2014)

• “Recess was way better in the past!” (Exclaimed by a Cub Scout visting the Little Red Schoolhouse with his troop in November 2014)

• "Super session! Perfect content for institutions new or experienced in camps." (Participant feedback for an OHC-led session about youth camps at the Ohio Local History Alliance annual meeting and conference, October 2014)

• "It's always fun to see the bricks and they help to keep the memories alive!"(OHC member who enjoys walking along the pathway at OHC that is lined with donor-inscribed bricks, October 2014)

• "I still have to say that OHC is the best museum I've worked at. Kind of incredible, considering that it's one of the smallest!" (Former college student intern who now works in the museum field, October 2014)

• "Thank you for being such a great supervisor this summer.  I really appreciate how invested you were in helping me find projects that would suit my goals and interests, and I feel like I've learned so much in the few months I've been here.  My roommates are sick of hearing me talk about Oberlin history, but it's become one of my favorite conversation topics! Everyone at OHC is so wonderful, and I'm thankful to all of you for the lovely experience I've had here." (Summer volunteer, 2014)

• "I am truly impressed at the breadth of what you undertake." (Member, 7-2014)

• "[The Lessons in the Past program] fits perfectly with our study of Ohio in Grade 4 Social Studies." (Teacher, 6-2014)

• "I'm glad I had time to check you out. I'm impressed with what you are doing. Oberlin has such a great Heritage and it is worth helping youth, students, and visitors know more about it. Thanks. (New member, 6-2014)

• "I miss the OHC.  Preserving the past is a labor of love, maybe that's why you all are always so warm, friendly, and caring." (Former intern, 5-2014)

• "I just wanted you to know that Jen Graham did a fabulous job with our students yesterday. She gave a lot of information and kept their attention throughout the entire presentation. The students really loved the items she brought in for them to see and touch!!" (Lorain teacher, 4-2014)

• "Happy to support a vibrant, well-managed local organization!"  (Renewing member, 12-2013)

• "Learning the history of Oberlin made it come alive - real people.  Love that it's being preserved and passed on." (Tour visitor, 9-2013)

• "As I read the latest Heritage email I'm astonished by the varied, worthy, prolific outreach you do, locally and far off. This newsletter was so packed with good stuff." (Member, 2-2013)

• "We had such a fantastic time in Oberlin and are so appreciative of your time and dedication in making it happen.  It connected beautifully with our curriculum and was a rewarding addition to our study on the abolition movement." (Teacher, 11-2012)

• "Oh, I did so appreciate your sending me the Gazette!  It is richly informative of the work you all are doing.  I think it is extremely important work, too - Keeping history alive to teach us all lessons, and to give us pride in all who came by OHC.  You accomplish an amazing lot!  And, best of all, you en-gender pride in one's history.  This is such a crude, rushing, clanging society that our past can be forgotten - and you help us remember!  Best wishes to you all!"  (Card from a member and former resident upon receiving the annual report, 10-2012)

• "My sisters were visiting with me in June and I brought them to OHC for a tour.  [The docent] was amazing and it was so much fun.  Little ones to grandmas like me and he had us all very engaged." (August 2012)

• "We found the [Freedom's Friends History Walk] an interesting, enjoyable combination of fact, folklore, and material reference points, presented with vivacity..." (July 2012)

• "The Apollo t-shirt I purchased for our daughter at Christmas was absolutely the best gift of all.  She worked with Arlene and Bill, as did many other young folks and so enjoyed the evenings with them and the selling of popcorn etc.  It was a very special time in her young life and she remains interested in the renovation of the beloved Apollo Theater in Oberlin. Thanks for the update." (August 2012)

• "I wanted you to know how amazing Italy camp is! ... Each evening [my son] tells us all he learned and shares stories of having fun with friends and wonderful counselors.  He feels comfortable to be himself and express excitement about learning.  He is obsessed with anything that appears ancient or medieval, which is a hard thing to come by for kids his age.  This was PERFECT!" (Summer camp parent, August 2012)

• "Wonderful program for young minds!  Please do this again." (Comment written at the final reception of the teen "Week at the Museum" camp co-hosted with the Allen Memorial Art Museum, June 2012.)

• "Interesting that you characterize [my grandmother's] voice as strong and clear: That's how I hear her in my mind.  I am interested in what she has to say, but I am also looking forward to hearing her voice again.  How fortunate that she was recorded this close to her passing.  We owe a debt to the entire project re: recording Oberlin history." (A family member's comment about the Oberlin Oral History Project.  June 2012)

• "The Comic Book arrived yesterday...I was totally astonished by how fascinating I found this one.  It's no exaggeration to say that I read it with rapt attention.  Even though I "knew" a lot of the information, the presentation was great - so fresh, balanced, inclusive; I can imagine how the third-graders will take to this.  Glad to see the names of the coordinators in the front, and it was such a kick to find, later in the book, other names that bring up a host of memories for me like Betty Thomas, Wade Ellis, Frances Slocum, Chuck Mosher, Don Pease.  Cheers to you all and to Bentley Boyd." (May 2012)

• "Someone gave me a copy of the 'Oberlin Origins and Onward' booklet.  What a great way to teach, inform and entertain at the same time!  Really enjoyed the artwork, the layout, the colors--all the while getting an education about Oberlin and the surrounding area.  I’m a big fan!" (Spring 2012)

• "Oberlin is my hometown, and its place in history is important to me.  I enjoy seeing and reading about the wonderful activities there in the past and present." (A response to the OHC’s Annual Fund appeal from an out-of-state member, Fall 2011)

• "The OHC is a vibrant and important resource for the town of Oberlin.  I like to have a small part in supporting the community where my son goes to college."  (A response to the OHC’s Annual Fund appeal from an out-of-state Oberlin College parent, Fall 2011)

• "I had never been to Oberlin before, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much there was to see and learn about your city... I don’t believe I have ever been on a historical tour before where everyone was so gracious and so passionate about sharing their knowledge of local history.  My compliments to them all!" (Feedback from a group leader who visited in summer 2011)

• "I loved going to your Little Red Schoolhouse and playing at recess. The olden day children must have had a lot of fun at recess.  I loved the house too.  Thanks so much. (Fourth grade visitor, May 2011)
   
• "It made me even more proud to be an Oberlin parent." (Visitor comment about a tour during Oberlin College Parents' Weekend, November 2010)
   
• "This is the most fun of the whole festival." (Visitor comment during Family Fun Fair, August 2010)
   
• "Thanks again for a wonderful tour and your incredible flexibility.  The tour sparked quite a lively debate on our way to Sandusky - road vs woods, who to trust, run or stay... It was incredible.  The girls will remember this for the rest of their lives." (Comment about a Freedom's Friends History Walk, July 2010)
   
• "Oberlin is full of fascinating UGRR [Underground Railroad] stories and our tour group enjoyed hearing them." (June 2010)
   
• "The tour really brought to life the rich history of Oberlin and its influence on not only Lorain County but our country as well." (Leadership Lorain County, May 2010)
   
• Notes from visiting 4th graders (with drawings too!): "Thank you for letting my class and grade come and take a field [trip] there.  It was really fun and really cool.  I hope me and my family can come back again." "Thank you for showing what the past was like.  I really liked the stilts (50 steps is my record)."  "Thank you for showing us what kids would do a long time ago."  "Thank you for using the stilts.  I love it." "Thank you for teaching us about Oberlin's history.  I had a lot of fun.  I really liked the schoolhouse!"  "You have a great place to go to!  I absolutely love it!  My favorite thing was the school house and the McGuffy Readers.  That was fun!  I also really liked the sack races...even though I only won once.  Thank you!"  (May 2010)
   
• While studying abroad an Oberlin Heritage Center intern sent a postcard saying, "I've visited countless museums here, but none of them have the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of the Oberlin Heritage Center." (April 2010)
   
• The Oberlin Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People donated money to help fund 2010 summer children's programs. (April 2010)
   
• "I didn't realize that Oberlin had so much history." (Tour visitor, April 2010)   
   
• Oberlin was named on an Honor Roll of college towns compiled by MSN author Crai S. Bower.  The town's history was a prominent part of the honor.  Article. (April 2010)
   
• Our insurance agent wanted us to know that her daughter who attended our summer camps years ago graduates from high school in a few weeks and is is going to Kent State Architecture School. She said her passion for architecture began right here in camp at the Oberlin Heritage Center. She is thrilled! (April 2010)
   
• "Had you not sent me a feedback request, I would have sent you a thank you.  We were very impressed with the tour, and the docent did an excellent job presenting the material.  The moms I spoke with today said their children came home and excitedly shared all sorts of stories they had heard on the tour." (Group leader feedback for a Freedom's Friends History Walk, October 2009)
   
• "The tour rocked!  It was pretty cool about the Amistad.  The church was pretty cool too."  (9 year old visitor who went on the Freedom's Friends History Walk, October 2009)
   
• "The Oberlin Heritage Center is the perfect place to learn more about the community and its role in American history. Here you can tour historic buildings while learning about the community’s founding fathers."  (Travel writer Marilyn Loeser.  Read the online article.  October 2009)
   
• “Most thought provoking! What a lot of work I have to do – but I now have an idea how to start.”   (Comment from attendee at How to be a Good Ancestor workshop, October 14, 2009)
   
• "Excellent material was well researched and presented.  This was one of the best tours I've been on." (Visitor feedback for the Freedom's Friends History Walk, October 2009)
   
• "I would like to thank you for the wonderful inventory database you have posted online of Westwood Cemetery.  It is by far the best one I have ever seen online.  I was thrilled yesterday to find the graves of my great grandfather..." (Letter from a family genealogist, September 2009) 
   
• "Oberlin served as an active stop in the Underground Railroad, eventually helping thousands of people to freedom. At the Oberlin Heritage Center, a local museum and historical society, visitors can get a glimpse of this storied past with tours of historic sites, including the 1866 Monroe House, the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse and the 1884 Jewett House. While adults learn about Oberlin’s role as a hotbed of the abolitionist movement, women’s activism and scientific discovery, kids will love being transported back to the 19th century with the hand’s on, one-room period schoolhouse." (Joe D. Babcock, writer of “College-town Bound: You don’t have to be a student to love campus life,” Chicago Tribune Magazine.  Read the full article. June, 2009)  
• "Ah, thanks so much for this newsletter; I love keeping up with the variety and excitement of all your activities." (Member feedback, May 2009)