2009 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Award Recipients

Public Education and Awareness Award to Barberton Historical Society and Barberton City Schools for their collaborative work to engage students in learning about the community’s history and historic places.

• The City of Barberton grew so fast after its founding in 1891 that people called it the “Magic City.”
• O.C. Barber (who was the inventor of the match) laid out the community around a spring-fed lake he named after his daughter, Anna.
• Barber built a huge scientific farm near Barberton on which his sprawling 52-room mansion was located. For decades the farm developed new large-scale farming techniques under Barber’s direction and later developed horticulture innovations under the ownership of the Yoder brothers.

These and many other interesting facts about Barberton’s founder, the town’s settlement by various ethnic groups, its growth and development, famous citizens and famous buildings are all part of an interactive book and learning tour developed under a collaborative effort between the Barberton Historical Society and a group of Barberton school district employees, called the Third Grade O.C. Barber Committee. The booklet developed by the committee contains historical information, biographies, photographs, and tasks for students to complete to learn about their community. And, the tour of the city has stops at many of the landmarks outlined in the student booklets. Students also visit City Hall to meet public officials and tour the municipal building, which helps students connect history with current events, people and places.

The Barberton Historical Society was founded in 1974 to oppose demolition of one of Barn Number 1, one of only 7 of the original 35 buildings remaining of the O.C. Barber farm complex by that time. The historical society has developed a number of entertaining and educational programs and events for adults and children that tell lively stories of the history of Barberton. Highly popular programs include the annual Barber Barn Tour. Barberton Historical Society volunteers help connect history and historic places, adding an important and very tangible dimension to the learning experience.

This special curriculum developed by the school district and the historical society enriches the lives of Barberton children and helps foster pride and commitment to the community.