A Chautauqua-inspired history event is coming to Galion's historic Gill House, roughly a hundred years after the Redpath Chautauqua last appeared in the city.
Organizers scheduled the first Gill House Chautauqua for Sunday, Sept. 13, running from 1 to 4 p.m. at 342 Harding Way West. The gathering is part of Ohio Open Doors, a statewide program, and admission is free, with donations accepted.
Four programs will cover different aspects of Galion's past. One session invites attendees to act as "museum detectives" while learning how old photographs and documents can be studied through names, dates, handwriting, clothing, and locations. A genealogy workshop will offer guidance on using Newspapers.com and other local newspaper archives for family research.
Another presentation, "First Fair Foods," focuses on items tied to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, such as hot dogs, ice cream cones, cotton candy, puffed rice, French's mustard, Dr Pepper, and Jell-O. Samples will be provided.
The closing program traces Galion's architectural history from surviving log cabins into the mid-20th century and includes tips for researching local homes. The Gill House, designed by a noted American architect, hosted family friends Thomas and Mina Edison and Henry Ford, according to the announcement. The event is open to the public.