Local History Services
Local History Services works closely with Ohio’s smaller local history organizations to provide continuing education, inspiration, and professional development for local historians.
Our History
Local History Services dates back to the state's sesquicentennial in 1953, which generated avid interest in Ohio history. The first statewide conferences for local historians were held in the 1950s, and the first Ohio Historical Marker was dedicated in 1957, commemorating the history of Akron's Portage Path. To aid blossoming local history groups, Ohio History Connection created the job of "Field Representative" and in 1955 began publishing Ohio Local History News.
In 1960, the conference featured the first business meeting of the Association of Historical Societies of Ohio, later known as the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums, and is today known as the Ohio Local History Alliance. Local History Services provides administration, programmatic support, and coordination for this association that serves over 600 local history member institutions. Today, Local History Services continues to work with history organizations across the state to help Ohioans connect with their own local history.
If You Don't Know Who to Ask, Ask Us
If you or your organization has a question about any aspect of doing local history, contact the Local History Office. Staff responds to hundreds of inquiries from local history organizations each year. These questions cover various areas: collections care, governance, priority setting, attracting more people to an organization, and much more.
