About Us
Historical Society Mission and History:
The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society has been an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 1987. Its mission is to preserve our community's past for future generations to see and use.
Our Historical Society has maintained a museum in the community's Carnegie Library since 1993 -- the year the library moved into its new facility. The Carnegie Library originally opened in 1916 with the aid of a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. The building remains one of the few Carnegie-financed buildings that exist in Central Ohio.
Our Museum:
Our Museum, located in the center of historic downtown Pickerington, tells the story of Pickerington-Violet Township. Admission is free.
Artifacts include prehistoric Native American tools and weapons collected around Pickerington, an original town pump, restored 1879 Taber pump organ, the cooking stove and photos once residing inside Moore's Pool Hall, photos of our high school graduating classes from 1909-1981, and much more.
A reference and reading area is available for public research of historic documents, directories, and photos, along with a searchable database of all graves in Violet Cemetery.
Getting Involved:
We are an all-volunteer organization and depend upon the generosity of our Historical Society members, Museum visitors, and the community for support and funding of projects and programs. You can help by:
- Becoming a member. Click for Membership Application and more information.
- Volunteering to help at our Museum on Second Saturdays, for tours, special events, and Museum maintenance. For more information or to sign up, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Stephanie Johnson (right in photo) at "Contact Us" below or visit Volunteer Sign Up to choose a date/event.
- Donating an object/document of local historical interest, or making a monetary contribution at the "Donate Now" box.
Historical Society News
Reconstructing 1860's Melodeon Organ
Reconstructing a circa 1860 melodeon organ is one of many winter projects being accomplished while our Historical Museum is closed for the 3-month winter season. Historical Society volunteers, Greg Karoly (right) and Ken Planisek, are working on this project. They hope to have the melodeon ready to produce music during our April 18 Museum opening event. This Kinnard, Dreher & Co. melodeon, with ivory keys, was made in Cleveland, Ohio and once belonged to long-time Olde Pickerington Village resident,
Cleo Mason Richter.
Remembering Their Childhood
Brothers Don, Ron, and Bob Sims (L to R) from the Lancaster area recently made an appointment to tour our Museum. In the 1940-50s, they lived on the former Ziegler Farm (site of the "Tabernacle") east of town on Pickerington Road. Their parents were Boyvin and Nellie Marie Sims.
The trio enjoyed seeing photos and artifacts from Olde Pickerington Village as well as identifying their relatives and former classmates among the Museum's collection of high school graduation photos.
To schedule your special family or group tour of our Museum, contact us!
Through the Years: February Happenings in our Community
Feb 1, 1958: Residents could buy a head of lettuce for 10 cents, a pound of coffee for 79 cents, and a chuck roast for 45 cents per pound.
Feb 18, 1801: U.S. Congress directed Refugee Tract lands to be divided into 320-acre parcels.
Feb 20, 1984: Pickerington Lions Club donated $10,000 toward construction of the Pickerington Senior Center.
Feb 27, 1934: A f ire department was formally established with Pickerington Mayor Tully Otto ("T.O.") Ebright appointed as the first fire chief (see his photo above).
Donate
The generous support and contributions from people like you enable us to collect and preserve local history for future generations.
The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donation may be tax deductible. Please contact your tax advisor for information.
Thank you!
Business Members and Sponsors
