Page 19 - Leisure Living Magazine Autumn 2018

Kelleys Island Historical Museum Holds Island Lore
By Joseph Gilroy, Feature Writer
If you are looking for a fun-filled, cultural, and educational activi- ty while visiting the is- lands – look no further than The Kelleys Island Historical Association. They have three exciting attractions that are filled with the island’s splen- dor and tradition.
The association has something for everyone, including an exquisite museum stocked with plenty of historic arti- facts that will intrigue children and adults alike.
The Kelleys Island
Historical Association
was originally formed
in 1980 with the objec-
tive of purchasing the
Old Stone Church that
sits next door to the museum. That church was erected in 1865 when German protestants on Kelleys Island organized the German Reformed Church and remained intact until it was vacated in 1956. After years of neglect and deterioration, the Historical Association gained ownership of the historic church and it has undergone restor- ative maintenance and repairs.
Equipped with descriptive placards the museum’s tour is self-guided and gives the visitor an ethereal feel for what life was
really like for the island’s
settlers. The museum has a permanent display of exhibits that focuses on local wineries, fish- ing, ice boating, farming and quarrying. In addi- tion to the permanent artifacts, the museum also adds special exhib-
The Kelleys Island Historical Association was formed in 1980 with the objective of purchasing the Old Stone Church.
its every summer and this year’s themes are “Bringing Electrici- ty to Kelleys Islands” and “Bathing Beauties of the 1950’s.”
Finally, the third pillar of the Historical Society’s attraction is the Parsonage House which houses a resale shop. The German Evangelical Reform Church was formally organized in October 1865. The parsonage, next door, was built in 1888, to fill the need for a residence for visiting ministers and later, a perma- nent minister. The last official service in the church was the funer-
al for William Burger in 1942, who had served many years as Sunday School Superintendent. In 2017, the Historical Association turned the Par- sonage into the resale shop. The shop is very pop- ular with the visitors, as they can stumble across tremendous bargains and see what the house looks like inside.
Now that you know the story behind one of Kelleys Island’s hidden gems, you can still plan a visit in 2018. Operating hours for the remainder of the season are week- ends only from 12pm-4pm. They will be clos- ing on October 8, which is the Co- lumbus Day Hol- iday. Visit them on Facebook or online for 2019
opening dates!
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