Clinton County Port Authority and Clinton County History Center Partner on Ohio Open Doors

The Clinton County Port Authority and the Clinton County History Center have partnered to celebrate Ohio Open Doors. As a part of the Ohio History Connection’s biennial event, the two community organizations have brought together over a dozen historic buildings and fascinating places for special tours, open houses, and events on Wednesday, September 16, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. For the Port Authority and History Center, the event is an opportunity to draw attention to the history and unique nature of some of Wilmington’s hidden architectural treasures.

The Port Authority will be hosting public tours of the Wilmington Masonic Building at 28 W. Main Street. “We look forward to this collaboration with the History Center and the opportunity to highlight a building that has played such an important role in downtown Wilmington,” said Alex Beres, Executive Director of the Clinton County Port Authority. “While many people have been inside portions of the building over the years, relatively few have had the opportunity to explore it in its entirety, and this is a chance to do just that.” 

The History Center will have the Rombach Place Museum at 149 E. Locust Street open for extended evening hours. “The History Center is very excited to be collaborating with the Port Authority for a rare opportunity to showcase areas not often seen by the general public,” said Shelby Boatman-McKay, Executive Director of the Clinton County History Center. “This partnership is uniquely allowing us to collaborate for both local history and economic development.”

The event extends beyond those two properties. “We can't wait to open up the doors of these Wilmington based buildings and sites for the entire community to enjoy!” said Boatman-McKay, referring to the full list of participating locations:

• Clinton County History Center, 149 E. Locust Street
• Fife & Bosworth Building, 12 N. South Street (only Apartment 1)
• First Christian Church, 120 Columbus Street
• Former Friends (Quaker) Parsonage, 138 N. Mulberry Street
• General Denver Hotel, 81 W. Main Street
• Historic Murphy Theatre, 50 W. Main Street
• Kava Haus, 187 E. Locust Street
• National Register’s Mahlon Brackney House, 286 S. South Street
• Peoples Bank, 48 N. South Street
• Ole Town Tavern, 26 N. South Street
• St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry Street (only open until 6 p.m.)
• Wilmington Friends (Quaker) Meeting, 66 N. Mulberry Street
• Wilmington Historic Home, 353 N. South Street
• Wilmington Masonic Building, 28 W. Main Street
• Wilmington Public Library, 268 N. South Street

Each location is participating in its own way. “At the Masonic Building, we have invited former tenants and others connected to the building to come back and share their stories,” added Beres. “The Port Authority has worked over the past several years to maintain and stabilize the building, but its real story belongs to the people and organizations that occupied it over the decades. They are the ones who can best tell the story of the life this building has lived.”

Details about what each site will be offering, from tours to food and drink specials to treats and trinkets, can be found online or by contacting Ruth Brindle. For more information about Ohio Open Doors and a list of participating sites around the state, visit ohiohistory.org/opendoors.