By Alicia Kelso and Caitlin O’Brien
Few people have as firm a grip on the history of Dublin than Herb Jones. The Dublin Historical Society president and lifelong resident can vividly remember a time when things were much smaller and slower, before Dublin became a swiftly expanding suburb of new housing, interstate exchanges and three high schools.
“When I was growing up, the city had 250 people. It’s just incredible how rapidly the city has grown in the past 35 years,” says Jones.
Jones knows every twist, turn and bend in the city and possesses a unique knowledge and appreciation for just how special a community Dublin is. He believes it’s important for all residents to know the city’s history and is committed to maintaining the society’s original purpose from its formation in the 1970s: to preserve the area’s past.
What better way to carry out that mission than to make history accessible to younger generations?
Accordingly, a strong partnership exists between the Dublin Historical Society and the Dublin School District. Each year, in October and May, the society hosts walking tours of Historic Dublin landmarks for third graders, which is the age the state requires Ohio history curriculum. For a majority of the students, this lesson plan beats learning about unfamiliar areas through a textbook in a classroom.
“Dublin is probably one of the few communities I know of that has a curriculum for its history through the historical society. The elementary schools have the opportunity to spend a whole day with the people of the society on a walking tour, through the (Fletcher Coffman) home, or through the barn that’s out there on the farm,” Jones says.
This concept started with two Riverside Elementary teachers about 15 years ago. They thought it would be unique to have their students take a walking tour through Historic Dublin. It became an annual event, and last year there were 650 third graders who toured the Fletcher Coffman House.
The Coffman House, located at 5300 Emerald Pkwy, was built between 1862 and 1867. It is a completely furnished and preserved residence in the Victorian period style, exemplifying the typical home of an American farmer in the 1800s. The house stands as a demonstration of the toils and labors for a middle-class farm family during the Civil War era.
Dick Termeer, who is also a lifelong Dublin resident and is the Historical Society’s treasurer, says most of the students are intrigued by the historical integrity maintained in the house.
“They’ll see toys from 100 years ago, or a spinning wheel or an old band uniform and want to know more about them. There is an old bed with a rope that holds a mattress in place, and they want to know more about it,” Termeer says. “I think they retain a lot of the information we give them and enjoy it. They will send letters back to us telling us how much they liked it, and some of them have even brought their parents back to show them what they learned.”
Termeer says there are at least three retired elementary teachers in the society who help come up with topics appropriate and interesting for the third grade level. The tours are also tailored specifically to each school. When students from Albert Chapman Elementary School have their tour, they learn about Dublin’s first doctor, Albert Chapman, who was also a soldier, teacher, businessman and real estate mogul. When students from Eli Pinney Elementary School walk through their tour, they stop at Dr. Eli Pinney’s home on Riverview, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
“We want them to relate to Dublin’s history and I think they pick up more than we realize. They like to learn about these things they see in their community all the time,” Termeer says. “It’s probably the biggest program the society has. We think it’s important. These tours are a really good way to trigger interest in younger residents.”
The Dublin Historical Society has about 180 members, and is always looking for newer and younger members.
“We have members that can trace their roots in Dublin back to the 1820s. What’s going to happen 10 or 15 years from now, I have no idea. I want to keep attracting younger members to take up a passion in history,” Jones adds. “Dublin is just full of incredibly interesting and rich local history.”
Society membership is open to everyone. The membership fee is $10 a year. Visit www.dublinohiohistoricalsociety.org for more information.
Alicia Kelso is editor of Dublin Life. Caitlin O’Brien is a contributing writer for Dublin Life.
DID YOU KNOW...?
- The partnership between the Dublin School District and the Dublin Historical Society has been reciprocal. Members of the Dublin Historical Society have participated on the committee to name schools in the district. Notably, elementary buildings are often named for landmarks and historic figures, such as Indian Run, Deer Run, Eli Pinney and Glacier Ridge; middle schools tend to be named for historic figures, such as John Sells, Daniel Wright and Willard Grizzell; and high schools are named for geographic locations, including Coffman Road, the Scioto River and Jerome Township.
- The Dublin Historical Society is currently working with Dublin teachers in building a Web site for elementary school students. The site will have materials for teachers to use that meet state standards for third grade social studies to better prepare the children for their walking tours through Historic Dublin and through the Coffman House.