Crawford County Historical Society Celebrates Museums 180th Birthday

21,765 days ago, the Crawford County Historical Society made the purchase of a generation. Katherine Shryock Reynolds, one of the area's leading citizens, had passed away and her home, a time capsule of history, was available for sale to the Society.

In 1843, a United States Supreme Court Justice sat in his personal library, contemplating how his decisions would change the lives of an entire nation of citizenry. In 1864, William Reynolds was making final preparations to connect New York City to St. Louis on the same rail. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th century, plans for indoor plumbing, gas lighting, household electricity, one of the first county fairs, the local branch of the American Red Cross, the Meadville Garden Club and more were planned or founded. If walls could talk, buildings would have fascinating stories to tell - and Mount Hope, the building we lovingly know as The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum - has 180 years of stories!

Events, programs, tours, and more will be added throughout the museum's 180th birthday and 60th anniversary year as we release a full calendar of anniversary festivities.  For 180 years Mount Hope has witnessed amazing things, and for 60 years, this building has told not just local history, but our nation's history. Its walls hold a gallery's worth of significant art and its grounds now serve as an arboretum and botanical garden. We're thrilled to share even more of it with you, as well as our vision for it's future, over the coming months!