Ohio's Small Town Museum in Ashville, Ohio
With travel nonexistent, the summer of 2020 was devastating for tiny institutions which usually operate on an ever-shrinking budget, rely on donations or grants to stay afloat, and run with a skeleton crew of volunteers. Some literally have trouble leaving the lights on. But each of these museums, no matter how spartan, tells the story of that particular community. They're vital to the survival…
In the summer of 2020, small museums around the country faced severe challenges due to the lack of travel and limited funding. Despite these hardships, these institutions hold great significance as they preserve the unique history of their communities. The Ohio Small Town Museum in Ashville is one such museum that encapsulates the essence of its town.
The museum is home to a diverse collection of artifacts, ranging from the cultural and innovative to the controversial and oddities. It offers visitors a glimpse into the boomtown's past, now turned a forgotten outpost in rural Pickaway County. By 1975, many signs of Ashville's decline were evident, including the closure of the railroad depot, absence of a newspaper, and the lowest community identity score in Ohio.
John Swingle, a retired postman, dedicates his free time to managing the museum, greeted by a shouted hello and a small donation. The museum's star attraction is Teddy Boor's patented motorized traffic light, which holds the Guinness record for the longest operating traffic light. This 50-year-old orb brings tourists to the intersection of Long and Main streets.
The museum also features a range of exhibits, including a copy of Bob Hines' book "Amazing Ashville," which recounts the town's history. It includes items from Vivian Michael, who popularized puppetry in the '50s and '60s; the culinary creations of Florence Brobeck, known for her turtle soup recipe; the music of Corinne Welsh, who topped the charts in the early 1900s; and the influence of Jack Fox, the "Bourbon Cowboy."
The museum also acknowledges Ashville's controversial past, including its status as a "sundown town" and the KKK robe displayed. However, it helps contextualize this by acknowledging the town lifted these bylaws by 1935 and elected a Jewish mayor. This approach to history makes the museum a testament to preserving the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
In short, Ohio's Small Town Museum in Ashville is a vibrant tapestry of real and unreal stories, providing visitors a unique perspective on the town’s past and its resilience in the face of adversity.
Written by urgent.news from Atlas Obscura's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
