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Fostoria Museum
Post Office Box 142
Fostoria, Ohio 44830
Index to department
Post Office Box 142
Fostoria, Ohio 44830
It all began . . .
In 1958 when the city began to realize that too many services were concentrated in the City Hall at 121 - 123 West North Street in Fostoria. The Fire, Police, Water, and Health Departments plus the Municipal Court were all in the City Hall. All of the city offices were also located there; the mayor, Service Director, the City Solicitor, and more.
A new city Municipal Building was completed in 1959 at 213 South Main Street. All City Departments, except the Fire Department were moved to the new building. An addition was constructed in 1964 to accommodate a Jail for the Police Department.
The Fire Department moved to the new building on the site of old Whittier grade school on Crocker Street in 1974.
The Fostoria Area Historical Society was incorporated as a nonprofit (501 C3) organization recorded by the Secretary of State on September 10, 1973.
The Fostoria Area Historical Society Museum leased the old City Hall at 121 - 123 West North Street from the Fostoria City Council. The building was vacant and had previously been used as a repository for Civil the Defense and Hospital Rescue Equipment during the Cold War.
There had been considerable discussion by members who felt that the old Whittier School building would have been a good Museum for the Historical Society. Some very dedicated volunteers salvaged school desks, furniture, school clocks, correctional devices (paddles), and approximately 100 blackboard slates from the walls for the school building. The Historical Society proudly displays seven of these blackboards and desks in a class room that has been reproduced at the Museum.
Many volunteers worked diligently on the first floor of the new home of the Fostoria Area Historical Society Museum soon after the move in 1974. By the time the United States Bicentennial was celebrated in 1976, the Historical Society had a nice display of artifacts on exhibit.
One of the items that the Historical Society is especially proud of is a 1941 Seagraves Ladder Pumper Fire Truck which has been left by the Fostoria Fire Department when they moved to their new facility.
The old City Hall building was in need of repairs which included a new roof. With revenue sharing money and through donations by anonymous donors, the Historical Society was able to replace the roof.
Located on the second floor of the Museum, in the large front room, contains furniture and memorabilia of Charles "Calico Charlie" Foster. His father, Charles Foster Sr., helped to bring the communities of Rome and Risdon together in 1854 forming the city of Fostoria.
The Fostoria Area Historical Society began meeting in what was once the council chambers on the first floor of the old City Hall building. When the attendance grew from 15 to more than 30 members, the meetings were moved to a more spacious area at the Kaublisch Library at 205 Perry Street. In 1997 the Historical Society began meeting on Sunday afternoons at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Perry and West Fremont Streets.
The current goal of the Fostoria Area Historical Society is to climatize the Museum so that it can be used year-round. This will also sustain the life of the many artifacts that are on display.
YOU LIKE TO JOIN?
Type of Membership:
ADULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10.00
JUNIOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5.00
BUSINESS OR CORPORATION: . . . . . . $ 20.00
LIFE - LONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00
For more information call George Gray, President at (419) 435-4664
Make your check payable to the Fostoria Area Historical Society and mail the check along with your name, address & phone number to:
Fostoria Area Historical Society
Post Office Box 142
Fostoria, Ohio 45840
We will place you on our mailing list so that you will begin receiving our Newsletter. You are cordially invited to the monthly meetings held at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Perry and West Fremont Streets in Fostoria, Ohio. Meetings are generally held on a Sunday afternoon. Please call to confirm the date of the next meeting.
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