Page 30 - Leisure Living Magazine: Holiday 2020 Edition

Vermilion’s Postcard Project Offers Nostalgic Tour
Public art enthusiasts looking for a beautiful drive that takes you along the shores of Lake Erie should check out Public Art Vermilion’s award- winning Postcard Project.
Featuring
15 mural-sized
postcards of
nostalgic scenes of
Vermilion, Ohio,
The Postcard Project
just published a map
of the postcards
in a history-filled
tour guide of the
project. Public Art
Vermilion is a program of Main Street Vermilion.
All of the postcards in the project were hand- painted on 5x8-foot boards in oil by Amherst, Ohio artists Mike Sekletar and Brian Goodwin, and feature scenes from vintage postcards, some dating back more than 100 years ago.
Many of the most popular postcards depict sites that no longer exist, such as the “Crystal Beach Ballroom” which was well-known in its day for hosting Guy Lombardo, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count
Basie, Lawrence Welk, and other Big
Bands of the era, but was torn down
when Crystal Beach Park closed in
1962.
The Postcard Project recently was recognized statewide by Heritage Ohio with the Best Main Street Committee Project Award as part of Ohio Preservation Month in October.
The Postcard Project Tour Guide, available at Main Street Vermilion’s office at 685 Main Street in Vermilion, is available for a suggested $5 donation. The 16-page booklet has a map of locations for all 15 postcards,
30 |LeisureLiving Holiday 2020
“Night View of Liberty Street Looking East” – This vintage image is the perfect blend of “then and now” in the heart of Downtown Vermilion. Some buildings still exist, others are gone, yet this thoroughfare is still inviting.
including a walkable tour of 10 postcards located in historic downtown Vermilion with stores and restaurants to enjoy along the way. In addition to the tour guide, all 15 postcards will be available for purchase at Main Street Vermilion’s offices, perfect gifts for the holidays.
For more information on Main Street Vermilion visit www.mainstreetvermilion.com.
“Original Vermilion Boat Club” – The Vermilion Boat Club had its beginning in what is now the home of Chez Francois restaurant. The parties and regattas hosted here since 1915 evolved into Vermilion’s Annual Festival of the Fish held in June.
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