Shelby County Historical Society

There is an innate sense of history and legacy in every culture. A mixture of curiosity and the sense of obligation cause people to record the accomplishments of their age and those before them. So it was in Shelby County.

Before there was an organized group with the stated purpose of preserving history, individuals wrote down their family history and those whom they knew. The 1927 ‘Homecoming' celebration held in Sidney resulted in many such articles.

The earliest recorded effort to preserve a collective history was that of the members of the Writer's Project in Shelby County. Paul Sherman was the key participant in the Writers Project of the late 1930s. He was ably assisted by Minor Dow of Sidney as editor. This project was apparently funded by the WPA. Mr. Dow sought "Indian relics, old documents, old books, flags, maps, etc." It is unknown what became of these early efforts.

Awards

As the history of the Society is being written in 2007, it is necessary to pause and remember the long list of awards garnered by the volunteers of the Society since its rebirth in 1993. These awards represent outstanding achievement in a number of different areas.

Given by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums

1996

• Excellence in newsletter "Historical Highlights"
• Excellence in communications (membership brochure)
• Excellence in audio visual ("Do You Remember"- WWII documentary)
• Excellence in exhibit creation ("USO Show")

1997

• Excellence in public programming ("Victorian Evening")
• Excellence in history publications (merchandising catalogue "History to Call Your Own")

1999

• Excellence in educational programming ("Just For Kids")

2005

• Excellence in educational programming ("Pioneer Day")

2007

• Educational Outreach Award ("Coming to America" Immigration exhibit)

2008

• Award of Achievement ("A Minute of Shelby County History" Radio program)

2009

• History Outreach Award (Civil War Education Day)

2011

• History Outreach Award ("Honoring Those Who Served", Field of Flags and Traveling Vietnam Wall)

2012

• History Outreach Award ("How 9/11 Changed Our Lives Forever" exhibit and USO show)

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