Museum Hours:
Saturday and Sunday 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Special tours can be arranged by calling:

George Rutherford at 814.382.7761

After months of work, the new courtyard at the museum was dedicated to the community as a place to remember the past and reflect on the present and future and honor those who made our community for what it is.

George Rutherford served as master of ceremonies for the event, attended by approximately 55 people. Rutherford introduced Bobbie Moyers, president, who welcomed guests and turned the ceremony over to Dave Lynch, chairman of the building committee responsible for the improvements.

“First of all I want to start out by saying that from a personal standpoint, I’ve received a great deal of satisfaction and pride by being a part of this project. But the historical society is not just about preserving the history and heritage of the Conneaut Lake. This building is part of that heritage. Over the past 10 years, the members of this organization collectively have worked tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of hours to be able to display what you see both inside and outside the museum today. It involved cleaning, painting, repairing, setting up displays, researching, organizing, and of course, fundraising. For that, we are grateful to them all,” Lynch said.

The new courtyard project replaced a crumbling asphalt area in front of the museum, as well as power washing and painting the front exterior and replacement of the cement driveway in front of the garage. The courtyard, designed by member Jack Stover, includes planters with flowers, two benches, a sign and stamped walkways. The new driveway in front of the garage will be used for handicapped only parking.

Members of the building maintenance committee, headed by Lynch, are Dick Fiedler, Tim McKay, Jim McNulty, Jim Herchenroether, Chuck Groger and Hale Jenkins. Others who assisted with special volunteer assistance were Audley Hays, Mark Smith, Channellock, Conneaut Lake Park and Conneaut Lake volunteer fire departments.

Richard Lucas, a boy scout from Conneaut Lake, did the planters as a project to earn his Eagle Scout project and spoke briefly.

Bench were donated by Sandy and Dix Karlin, in memory of her mother, Betty Ellis; ;and Doris Egyud, in memory of her husband, Ralph D. Egyud Sr.

Monetary grants were received from Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau ($150) and the Crawford Heritage Association ($554) to help offset some of the expenses.

Contractors for the project were Marvin Zook of Zook’s Masonry, Mark Ul of U.L. Environmental Coatings and Christ Mast of Christy Mast Construction.

Lynch noted the society used local businesses for materials for the project. They included Timberland Frame and Floral, Ralston’s Hardware, Carter Lumber, Ace Contracting Center and Home DePot.

“Thank you and thanks for the support that allows us to continue to preserve the area’s history and heritage for the future,” Lynch concluded.

Stover outlined some of the progress the society has made since taking over the museum facility. He praised the efforts of Lynch, noting he was the “major force for providing the high quality of improvements in front of the building.” He joked about the fact that every morning he looked out his window and saw Dave’s truck at the museum. He laughed that Dave has thought about moving a cot into the museum and sleep there, but Kathy (Dave’s wife) nixed that idea.

He noted as well that the society was proud to participate in the planter project that is seen throughout Conneaut Lake. Matching wood planters line the sidewalks, starting with Station 3 and now at the historical society museum. It’s the community showing a standard decorative display.

Conneaut Lake Mayor Tim Kaider spoke, expressing appreciation to the society for its work. He noted the society has not requested money from borough council and he considers the society one of the hardest working groups in the community.

Joe Rial gave a dedication prayer for the project and for the new plaques on the memorial wall.

Following the ceremony, yellow ribbons were put on a tree in the society’s memorial park to commemorate the homecoming of the Stryker Brigade. Ribbons were made and donated to the society by Carolyn Stell and Grace Wagner. Many members of the Brigade have provided the color guard npower for the annual Conneaut Lake Kiwanis Club’s Memorial Day program.

Refreshments were served following the ceremony.

Fred Prescott provided pictures of the event for the society.

The project, along with repairs of the roof cost nearly $15,000. The society now is holding a fund-raising project to paint the rest of the building, estimated to cost $11,000. The society has started a project where people can “adopt a block” by paying $2 a block and have the money placed in a special account for that use. Click here for more information on this new project.

The following pictures show some of the work in progress.