Historical Society to honor town’s bicentennial—
Historic celebration planned

The Yellow Springs Historical Society wants 2003 to be a year when villagers focus on local history by celebrating the Yellow Springs bicentennial.

“We want people to understand our history, to savor it and to remember it,” said Historical Society member Mary Morgan.

The group will celebrate village history with an event-filled weekend on the 4th of July, starting with a parade on Friday, July 4. It’s not too soon, said Morgan, for local groups, businesses and churches to start thinking about how they’d like to be represented in the parade. Historical floats or events are encouraged, but villagers may participate in any way they want, Morgan said. That night, the community will celebrate the Independence Day with the traditional fireworks display at Gaunt Park.

The celebration will continue the following day, Saturday, July 5, with a day-long event in front of the Bryan Community Center. Activities, including dancing, music and storytelling, will highlight local history and historical figures, Morgan said. The day will culminate with an original historical play by local playwright Louise Smith, which is partially being funded by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council, according to Morgan.

The year 2003 is significant because 200 years ago, in 1803, the town’s first settler, Lewis Davis, made the first purchase of land by the Yellow Spring.

This year is also the bicentennial celebration for the state of Ohio and for Greene County.

The bicentennial can be a way for all local residents to come together, said Morgan, who encourages residents to invite their grown children or old friends who moved away to return to town for the 4th of July weekend.

“Learning our history helps us understand the world around us, and how our town came to be,” Morgan said.

Those interested in participating or in sharing thoughts about how to celebrate the bicentennial are encouraged to contact Morgan at 767-7516, Beth Holyoke at 767-1583, Bill Mullins at 767-3361, Ellen Hoover at 767-9338, Faith Skidmore at 767-2691, June Varner at 767-7946, or Nina Myatt and Scott Sanders at Antiochiana, 767-1237.

The Yellow Springs Historical Society’s Web site is www.yshistory.org.

—Diane Chiddister