Grove City's 9-day Open Doors celebration spotlights city's 170-year history
Residents have an open invitation to attend any or all of the nine days of activities planned for Grove City's participation in the Ohio History Connections' Ohio Open Doors.
"We'll have special activities planned each day from Sept. 9 through Sept. 17," city recreation superintendent Kelly Sutherland said.
The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote the historic landmarks and sites in the state and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the "National Historic Preservation Act.
The OHC's celebration runs for 10 days Sept. 9-18.
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the act has proven instrumental in transforming communities from coast to coast, establishing the legal framework and incentives to preserve historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites, according to a news release from Neil Thompson, the OHC's manager of media and public relations. It drives economic revitalization by attracting investment, supporting small business, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating jobs.
The State Historic Preservation Office administers the National Historic Preservation Act in Ohio. Many of the sites featured in Ohio Open Doors events are in the National Register of Historic Places, which the National Historic Preservation Act created, the release said.
Grove City has been an eager participant in the program, Sutherland said.
"It's a perfect fit for us since we already do so much to preserve and celebrate the history of our community," she said.
Grove City's history-related sites include Century Village, the historic park featuring several authentic buildings from the mid-19th century; the Grant-Sawyer House; and the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum, which features displays and exhibits about Grove City's history.
"You don't find too many communities that have such a strong dedication to preserving and celebrating its history," said Lisa Napier Garcia, a volunteer with the Grove City Historical and Cultural Arts Commission and president of the Little Theater Off Broadway in Grove City.
The commission, Grove City Parks and Recreation and the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society have partnered to plan the community's 2022 Ohio Open Doors event, Sutherland said.
"We've held an activity on a single day in the past. We're really excited to be planning nine days of events this year," she said. "We're using the event as a way to celebrate and mark the 170th anniversary of Grove City's founding."
"There's going to be something for everyone to enjoy," Napier Garcia said. "There will be a ton of events, and it will be a great way for people to celebrate our community's history with their family."
The final list of activities is still being finalized, but the major events for Grove City's Open Doors effort is to include a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 10, Sutherland said. This event is to take place at the welcome center and museum, 3378 Park St.
The 30th anniversary of Gantz Gardens is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at Gantz Park, 2255 Home Road.
A talk by local historian Janet Schailer, author of "Trouble on Scioto's Waters: Soldiers, Frontiersmen & Native Americans," is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway.
Ohio Open Doors in Grove City is scheduled to wrap up with Picnic with the Grants from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Grant-Sawyer House, 4126 Haughn Road.
"People will be able to meet several members of the Grant family, portrayed by LTOB actors, as they tour the house," Napier Garcia said. "We'll be portraying four members of the family who lived in the house over the years, including Catharine Grant, who was the founding matriarch of Grove City; Hugh Grant Jr.; A.G. Grant and Ruth Sawyer Jividan, who was the last member of the family to reside in the house."
Jividan, who died in April 2014, arranged for her family's homestead to be turned over to the city.
"The historical society has put together a lot of information about the Grant/Sawyer family that our actors will be able to use as they interact with visitors and answer their questions," Napier Garcia said. "We're sort of planning to model the program after the historic portrayals you'll find at Colonial Williamsburg. It really brings history to life in a fun way."
More details about the nine-day celebration are forthcoming, Sutherland said.
"It's going to be a great way to wrap up the summer," she said.
Ohio Open Doors includes nearly 200 events in communities across the state. Partner organizations include the Ohio Arts Council, TourismOhio, the Ohio Travel Association and Heritage Ohio, according to the release. All Ohio Open Doors events are free, and most are special one-day-only opportunities.
For a calendar of events and locations, go to ohiohistory.org/opendoors.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Grove City Open Doors celebration spotlights city's 170-year history
