MORE THAN A YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION
In 1810 the Torringford Land Company, having secured title to this part of the Ohio Northwest Territory Connecticut Western Reserve, hired 28year-old Joseph Harris to be the onsite sales agent. Having built a cabin here in 1810, Harris brought his 18yr-old wife Rachel and 2yr-old son Albert, and an 11yr-old charge James Redfield, west from Randolph (Portage county just east of Akron) in February of the next year, followed by the Torringford Burr and Boston Corbin families.
Nearest settlers then were back in Randolph, near Wooster and/ ValleyCity, none west. Others began coming to “Harrisville(Center)” only after the War of 1812. Originally we were part of Trumbull, Portage, then Medina county, and Harrisville township included Lafayette, Westfield, Chatham, Spencer, Homer, Sullivan, and Troy. We assumed what would become a standard rail mail “Lodi” ‘whistlestop’ years later.
Today we send our children all over the world, but others still leave big cities for our village and country life. As NorthEast Ohio moves into our township we have necessarily adapted for better growth. To explore and plan our future, we must first interpret our collective histories as heritage assets for the highest best use in our expanding community. Our historical society seeks to provide special interpretative leadership in organization of our bicentennial celebration and recommemorization.
EXAMPLES OF PLANNED EVENTS
Thursday 07 thru Sunday 10 October 2010
LogCabin(museum) earlyAmerican trades fair
Continued original“living history”re-enactment of a black powder muzzleloader rendezvous chautauqua.
Sunday 10 October 2010
(remember “10-10-10”)
(remember “10-10-10”)Harris Cabin dedication
Sunday October 10 at 1230pm in the Lodi downtown “square” central park, we will dedicate the building of a replica log cabin symbolizing the historical settlement of this area. As the construction of the cabin is being accomplished by local BoyScouts, and this year has been regarded as the centennial of Scouting, this event will integrate the celebration of both. This will also be the last farmers’ market in our town square this season, reinforcing our thanksgiving. Please join us with community dignitaries as fellow pioneers for our future.
Saturday NewYearsDay 2011
AmericanLegion community celebration
Be in the kickoff (party), watch the games begin!
Sunday 13 February
Founders’ Day Winterfest
Witness the Harris family reach their cabin in the wilderness, then party with old-fashioned cold-weather sport and warming activities.
Ides of March through “spring break”
Preparing time capsule genealogies
Exploring /recording personal histories and local sites, residences, architecture, antique artifacts, commemorative souvenir merchandise, and preproduction of a bicentennial media package.
Easter week in April
Decorative eggs /trees and children’s egg hunts, and local church architecture /community tours.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
See and hear Lincoln in the first person at the Lodi/Harrisville Historical Society's free quarterly meeting at the Harrisville Township building located at 109 Railroad Street in Lodi on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Gerry Payn will portray one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Payn will speak in first person on Lincoln and the Civil War in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Payn is a full height Lincoln (6 ft 4 in). He began presenting Lincoln in 1999 after being inspired by James Getty of Gettysburg, PA. Payn is a life member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters and has thoroughly enjoyed attending . their conventions and becoming acquainted with other "Lincolns". He has been fascinated with his study of Lincoln and has a considerable collection of books, papers, and other memorabilia about Lincoln. He has enjoyed visiting places related to Lincoln and the Civil War and looks forward to more visits.
Rhododendron Concert May 21, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Lodi Central Park Entertainment:
Cloverleaf Community Choir Soloist - Colleen Rice
Accent Barbershop Quartet
Food Service:
Order of Eastern Star Lodi Chapter 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sponsors: Lodi Harrisville Historical Society Harrisville Lodge #139 F&AM Mound Lodge #845 I.O.O.F. Lodi Rotary Club
Bring your Chairs, Blankets, Families and Neighbors To Enjoy An Afternoon of Music and Fellowship
around mid-May Mothers’ Day
After annual village clean-up, flower sale, and beginning of the farmers market, as part of the village park plan, we will be “pushing” planting (Woodlawn) rhododendrons throughout Lodi.
Memorial Day
Beyond normal commemorization of those (loved and) gone, special review of sacrifices made by early local settlers at their gravesites.
Flag Day 14 June
AmericanLegion’s proper disposal of old flags.
AmericanCivilWar conflict re-enactment.
June thru September (last Saturday of each month)
Buckin’Ohio family rodeos
Cowboy/’indian’ events, featuring NPR bull-riding.
Thursday 21 through Saturday 23 July
SweetCorn festival
Old fashioned parade, historical competitive events, homecoming gatherings, and fireworks.
Augusthot air
hot airDepot open house social and balloon rally
Reflection on all human movement, including railroad, trucking, aerospace and cyberspace.
September
As our elementary school will soon move to the combined district campus and the old academy building(s) will be retired, we are attempting to script, produce, and film there an educational community family play regarding re-enactment of aspects of our community history and/ plans.
October
Congregational Church turkey roast
and
Fire/Rescue open house ‘buffalo’ barbeque
:
November
GoodSamaritans’ thanksgiving feast
December
old-fashioned Christmas for Kids
and
MedinaCountyLibrary (Lodi Branch) Winterfest
Also, presuming successful fundraising, the (1888) Ainsworth (nativeAmerican) statue in the Lodi village square central park, given to the Lodi-Harrisville community by the daughter of the first ‘white’ settlers, will be refurbished prior to being rededicated during the bicentennial.
INFORMATION
Note we have attempted to provide all local entities an opportunity to participate in planning. As many suggestions are not yet integrated, the details will be available on the website below.
If you might have any concerns, questions, and/ suggestions, or would might like to participate or become more aware and/or involved in further planning /implementation of any activity, please feel free to contact HistoricalSociety leadership or the bicentennial coordinating committee.
Site Under Construction
