2019 – OUR EVENTS
APRIL 7, 2019 — WE TOURED THE HISTORIC E & K (ENGELS & KRUDWIG) WINERY
This MEMBERS ONLY event was a huge success. We toured the building and explored the many rooms that have been preserved. We also got to see part of the basement. After the tour we removed to the Bait House Brewery. You can find out more about this tour and the history of Wineries and Breweries HERE.
JUNE 22, 2019 – WE TOOK “A WALK THROUGH HISTORY ON WAYNE STREET”
Ed Stout, the Site Manager of the Cooke Dorn House, lead a group of 75 people on”A Walk Through History on Wayne St.” on Saturday, June 22nd. The tour started at the limestone homes that Eleutheros Cooke built in 1827 and 1835 at 410-414 Columbus Avenue across from the Sandusky Library and ended at the Follett House at the SE corner of E. Adams and Wayne St.
Ed did a wonderful job pointing out unusual aspects of each house and sharing a history of the people who lived there. This street contains some of Sandusky’s most interesting houses – some might even call them mansions.
We hope he decides to do another one. but if you missed this one, you can still see some of Sandusky’s most prominent houses. Many of the houses on the tour can be found HERE.
JULY 17, 2019 – WALKING TOUR OF UNDERGROUND RAILROAD SITES IN SANDUSKY. Yes! We brought it back – The crowd was so large that we had to break it up into two groups! About 70 people attended this tour. You missed it? You can take most of the tour online HERE.
AUGUST 13, 2019 – THE “EAST WATER STREET REDISCOVERED” TOUR
This tour started at the Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky and was by led by Lou Schultz who stepped in at the last minute for John Lippus. It included stops at some of Sandusky’s most famous old buildings.
Did you know that there was a tunnel that ran under the street from the E & K Winery building so they could move wine barrels?
If you missed the tour, you can find out more about East Water Street (and West Water Street) on our website by clicking HERE.
This was a new tour added because so many people requested it. Space was limited. Lou spent a few minutes giving an overview of Water Street and the original railroad line where the “new” Shoreline Drive is now.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 – “WALK IN THE WATER” TOUR OF SANDUSKY BAY’S LAKEFRONT
This was our first ‘from the water’ tour and it provided a whole new perspective on the industries, buildings, and people who developed Sandusky’s waterfront. This year we held a special cruise on the Goodtime I (Thus, the Walk in the Water tour). There was appetizers, a cash bar, 50/50 drawing, waterfront trivia, prizes and other activities. Did we mention one magnificent sunset? Mother nature really delivered for us with perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset. Our tour guide will be Jim Miller, recognized as the leading expert on Sandusky’s maritime history did an incredible presentation, lacing humor with wonderful insights into the views from the boat. This was a once in a lifetime cruise! But, because of the positive feedback (and the good time had by all) we are considering doing it again next year!
November 17 – Annual Meeting & Banquet at the Sandusky Yacht Club
5:00 Social hour and cash bar
5:45 Dinner
6:45 Business meeting
7:00 Guest Speaker – Leslie Korenko will present the history of Kelleys Island. This is a ‘can’t miss’ presentation so watch for links to reserve your set and make your dinner reservation. Reservations must be received by November 9.
WE WERE BUSY IN 2018 – SEE THE ACTIVITIES WE SPONSORED OR PARTICIPATED IN.
The Erie County Historical Society is pleased to have taken an active part in the City of Sandusky’ Bicentennial celebration. Here are just some of the events that we participated in or hosted:
February 3 – Andy Gibbs appeared as Underground Railroad Conductor John Parker in the Sandusky Library Program Room, presented the Erie Co. Historical Society
April 18 — Jay Cooke: Shaping Sandusky and the U.S., presented by the Erie County Historical Society – at the Sandusky State Theatre.
May 6 – ECHS held a MEMBERS ONLY historic walking tour of Washington Park at 4:30 pm. The tour was followed by an optional social hour and dinner at the Sandusky Yacht Club. To participate – you had to be a member (Join for just $10)
May 19 – International Museum Day – Museums across Erie County celebrate with free admissions and activities. What a great opportunity to explore the history of our communities.
May 23 – Walking Tour of Washington Park
July 4 – Speakers Series – One Day Event – The Sandusky Bicentennial Commission History Committee is organizing a “History Festival” which includes displays of historical artifacts from the area. The event took place at Adams School (2130 Hayes Ave, Sandusky). Speakers included:
10:30 am: John Hildebrandt: “Top 10 Significant Events in Sandusky History”
11:30 am: Jim Semons: “Sandusky’s First Photographer, Ernst Niebergall”
1:30 pm: Jackie Mayer: “Early Life and Becoming Miss America”
2:30 pm: Ron Davidson: “Daily Life in Sandusky 1818 and 1918”
3:30 pm: Jim Miller: “Maritime History” – All talks are scheduled for 15-20 minutes.
June 27 – Walking Tour – Explore Sandusky & the Underground Railroad This tour was held in the memory of Esther Bates, Elaine Lawson, LoyBelle Poole and Janet Senne, founding members of the Sandusky Underground Railroad Education Center. They provided valuable information regarding Sandusky’s role in the URR movement, and they will be missed.
July 25 – Walking Tour – Discover hidden gems in the Downtown Sandusky
August 22 – Walking Tour – Downtown Sandusky
September 26 – Walking Tour of Washington Park
October 7 – Annual Membership meeting – at Chet and Matts Pizza. We had Confederate soldier Charlie Pierce, who gained infamy for his many attempted escapes from Johnson’s Island. Randy Koch gave a wonderful presentation, in costume!
November 18 – Annual Meeting & Banquet at the Sandusky Yacht Club – More details appear above.