Historic Warren County:
An Illustrated History
More than 200 years of history await the visitor to Warren County, Ohio. Heritage, culture, entertainment, industry - we have it all! No comprehensive written county history has been published since the renowned Beers & Co. effort, The History of Warren County, Ohio, in 1882, so the various members of the local Heritage Advisory Council (HAC) took on this daunting task. Of necessity, the current project is but a brief overview of the rich cultural and historical heritage to be discovered here, but HAC members are hopeful Historic Warren County: An Illustrated History will serve as a springboard for further exploration into the area's past.
This colorful book written by local author and Museum at the Friends Home Board member Cynthia Pauwels highlights all the wonderful features which make this corner of southwest Ohio a destination for families, businesses and visitors alike. Following its incorporation in 1787, the newly-opened Northwest Territory provided a refuge for Quaker settlers who arrived in what is now Waynesville after fleeing their home state of South Carolina in protest against the scourge of slavery. The Friends form a still-active community in this diverse county which was named for the first American soldier killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, General Joseph Warren. Numerous stops along the Underground Railroad dot the gently rolling countryside; quaint villages line the curving rural lanes and historic buildings nestle gracefully alongside modern technology in a thriving county which is one of the fastest growing in Ohio. The spirit of freedom which led those brave pioneers is alive and well in Historic Warren County.
HAC is a collaborative effort among many historic preservation groups in southwest Ohio designed to promote their respective activities in order to foster interest in and appreciation for preservation efforts in its many forms. The non-profit group sponsors joint publicity efforts to support individual facilities and offers fundraising opportunities and educational workshops to help members better meet the challenging goals of historic preservation. Members and affiliates include historical societies from Carlisle, Franklin, Harveysburg, Loveland, Mason, Springboro and Warren County; the Mary L. Cook Public Library with its extensive Ohioana Room local history collection; the Warren County Genealogical Society, and special-interest museums Fort Ancient, the Quaker Heritage Center and the Museum at the Friends Home.
The member agencies of HAC are supported by dedicated bands of volunteers who cherish the history of Warren County and who are dedicated to sharing its stories. Some of the larger groups have a small core of paid staff to lead their efforts, but historic preservation is truly a labor of love, and its effects can be witnessed in a visit to any of the local collections represented by HAC. Complimentary copies of this unique collection of history will be given to each public library and school district in the county.
Historic Warren County: An Illustrated History offers 40-plus pages of text and photos both old and new, supplemented by community sponsor pages written by Garnette Bane highlighting local governments, businesses and organizations. Proceeds benefit the historic preservation efforts of HAC and its member agencies.
