By Madison Thomas
(Link to event information can be found at the bottom of this post)
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| Granger Historical Society Building |
JoAnn Boruvka – Research Director & Co-Chair for the Granger Bicentennial
Q: Tell me a little about yourself and the work you do within the Granger Historical Society? What sparked an interest in your town's history?
A: I became interested in local history when I accepted a second-grade teaching position at Garfield School in Medina in 1973 and learned that the social studies curriculum for the year was to be local history. I had to learn about the topic before I could teach it! When we moved to Granger in 1979, I found its history to be interesting. Bob Hummel asked that I write books that Highland 3rd graders could use to learn about local history. Seeing the local side of various periods in US history really brings history to life.
Q: Near the end of this month is the Granger Township Bicentennial celebration. What might the community expect to find and learn at this event?
A: I am the co-chair of Granger’s Bicentennial along with Roberta Gifford. We have 3 days of activities planned including; a parade, games, food, music, visits to the historical society and magical entertainment. All these events are designed to bring the community together. We will be presenting a theatre production Our Town: Granger, in the style of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Telling the history of Granger up to the 1840s with a cast of 35 people aged 6-80. There will be talks by Trustee chairperson Rich Pace and David “Doc” Loomis, pastor of Granger’s Remsen Christian Church. Also, the unveiling of a bicentennial quilt made and donated by the Little Red Quilt House in Granger. Residents can even start prior to the events to learn about Granger’s history by driving to various places throughout the township to participate in our bicentennial quiz.
Q: How has the Granger Historical Society incorporated the history of Granger’s founding families in the Bicentennial?
A: We will recognize descendants of Gideon Granger’s family, and descendants of the Codding, Ganyard, Hills, and Low families. Those 4 families together purchased 3/4 of the township from Gideon Granger and were among the first pioneers. (The other 1/4 of the township was purchased by Henry Remson, but we have none of his descendants.)
Q: During the Bicentennial’s weekend the Granger Historical Society is hosting several open house events in their facilities. For the community and non-members, what are some benefits of attending?
A: We hope to see our “regulars” and lots of new folks at our open houses. A lot of upgrades have been made to our museum and library in the last few years. There will be special displays about Granger’s earliest homes, and a wonderful collection of GAR items.
Q: How can people get involved and volunteer for the Granger Historical Society and events in the future?
A: We love to welcome new members and would be delighted to have people volunteer to do a myriad of tasks.
Q: Is there anything else you would like people to know about the Granger Historical Society and/or the upcoming Bicentennial Weekend?
A: You can see the timeline of bicentennial events at www.grangerhs.com where you will also find a list of contests we’ll be having. All events are free. Food will be available for purchase.
Bob (Robert) Hummel- Granger Historical Society President
Q: Tell me a little about yourself and what sparked an interest in your town's history?
A: My interest in local history certainly evolved over the years. I have been a resident of Granger Twp. and lived on a dairy farm with both sets of my grandparents nearby who certainly influenced my interests. As a child, I would walk through the Granger cemeteries with my grandparents who would relay stories about those that they knew. This gave me a background to the various families and how they were connected.
In my elementary years, our reading books followed a family from the early settlements into the 20th century. The stories fascinated me as we read about one generation to the next. Images of household goods, farm tools, clothing, toys, etc. were displayed which fascinated me, and I began to look for the items on the farm, in my grandparents' homes, and antique shops. I graduated from Highland High School, attended college, served in the army, and then returned to eventually begin a career in the Highland Schools for a period of 32 years.
Q: How did the Granger Historical Society begin and who were some of the early members?
A: In 1966, Helen M. Thompson, a 1922 Granger graduate, donated her home and property to the Granger Township Trustees who at that time were Paul Krueger, Willis Stoll, and William Hummel. Helen's intentions were that her home would become a museum, especially for the benefit of children. She retained life-use of her home and died in 1989 leaving the contents of her home and her extensive doll collection. The house is known as the Thompson-Work Museum to honor her parents. With the donation of this house, the Granger Historical Society was formed in 1970 and incorporated in 1972.
A donation was then received from Judge Aldrich B. Underwood, a 1906 Granger graduate, and a retired judge in Summit Co., that provided the funding to construct a 30x40 ft. building on the property to be known as the Judge Aldrich B. Underwood Library. His library collection, Native American collection, tools, and household items were a part of his gift. Some of the earliest supporters of this endeavor were Hazel and Willis Stoll, Faye and John Scanlon, Gladys and Al Kahl, and Esther and Stanley Allard to name a few.
Q: What resources are available within the Aldric B. Underwood Library and Thompson-Work Museum?
A: The house and library hold interesting displays of the artifacts and collections donated by Helen Thompson, Judge Underwood, and others over the course of fifty years. The class composites of the Granger School graduates are displayed. Albums of school group pictures and family genealogies are also maintained. People visiting often look for family, home, and property information which we can then use early histories that have been published as well as maps of various time periods.
Q: For individuals looking for help with their research or for those who are not close enough to visit, how can they get assistance?
A: The library building is open on the first Saturday, April through October, 1:00 to 3:00 P. M. or by appointment. I can be contacted via email, hummel1195@gmail.com or by phone, 330-239-2380.
A link to the Granger Historical Society and the Granger Township Bicentennial can be found here: https://www.grangerhs.com/granger-bicentennial-events-granger
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