Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary, Part III

By Pamela Nickell
Highland County Historical Society

To quote the bylaws, “The Highland County Historical Society located at 151 East Main Street, Hillsboro, is a non-profit entity, which exists to further historical preservation and education in Highland County, Ohio.”

To fulfill that purpose, the membership of the Society – open and welcome to all – works to develop and maintain the holdings and exhibits of the museum. Membership cost remains very reasonable, and admission to the Highland House Museum remains free and open to all – members and non-members. The museum is open on weekend afternoons, mid-March through late December.

During 2014, there were over 1,600 visitors to Highland House, marking a significant increase and far surpassing the goal of 1,000. The 1,000th registered visitor was Sue Boatman, who received a Highland County Pictorial Book and an Ohio House of Representatives Proclamation. Director Vicki Knauff will certainly have more surprises in mind for 2015 (our 50th anniversary) and the 2,000th visitor.

If you have visited, you know you can enter either the front or back door, whichever is more convenient. Once in, you register at the front desk (that’s how the count is maintained) where you receive a beautiful self-guided tour pamphlet designed by John Glaze. Of course, you are already in the very large Main Hall of this beautiful building.

You have yet to delight in the West Parlor, Dining Room, Early Kitchen, Stairs, Upper Front Hallway, Caspar Collins Bedroom, Children’s Room, Weaver’s Room, Victorian Bedroom, Upper Rear Hallway, Schoolroom, Military and Medical Room, Mother Thompson’s Crusade Room, and then back down the stairs to the Music Room, Museum Shop and Pioneer Hallway. The room
descriptions following are taken from the brochure.

The West Parlor is a small sitting room containing late Victorian furniture such as a matching settee and chair, ca. 1870. A large bookcase was presented to U.S. Senator and Ohio Governor, J.B. Foraker. Above the mantle is a portrait of John Dawsons, painted by local artist, Frances
Detwiler.

The Children’s Room features typical children’s toys and clothing from the turn of the century. The sleigh beds are from the home of Miss Cora Bell, daughter of Charles A. Bell. Another bed has a connection with Mother Thompson. Portraits include one by Emma Detwiler.

Featured in the Upper Front Hallway are display cases showing early examples of women’s and children’s accessories, a large quilt collection and a life-size portrait of Judge James Henry Thompson, husband of Eliza Jane “Mother” Thompson of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The Mother Thompson Crusade Room recognizes the Hillsboro Crusade of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which was organized in 1873 at a meeting in the Presbyterian Church. All items in this room are on loan from the First Presbyterian Church, located just across the street from the museum.

Come along weekly as we to tour the Highland House Museum through these pages and explore the history it enfolds. Perhaps, then, you will visit in person when the season opens.