Southeast Ohio History Center

10/16/2026

Missed Lee’s Talk yesterday but still want to see it? It is now LIVE on our YouTube Channel!

In the mid-19th century, people began seeking out new ways to commu...

10/16/2026

Yesterday, for our October Lyceum Lunch, our very own Lee Sites presented their presentation “Mediums, Seances, and Spirit Rooms: Spiritualism in Southeast Ohio.”

In the mid-19th century, people began seeking out new ways to communicate with their beloved dead. Spirit Rooms, such as those operated by Jonathan Koons in Athens County, and more private séances were held to contact those who had departed.

Lee discussed how and why Spiritualism rose to such great popularity, false mediums and how they were disproved, and finally, Elizabeth Blake of Lawrence County, whose gift was never disproven.

Lee Sites is the Curator of Collections at the Southeast Ohio History Center and has a passionate interest in the Victorian period and occult history.

10/15/2026

Tom O'Grady speaks with Tyler McDaniel about preserving southeast Ohio's coal-mining history and the upcoming Little Cities Day in Shawnee.

10/12/2026

For our first Intern Spotlight of Fall 2026, we’d like to highlight one of our collections intern, Nate!

Nate is a History student at Ohio University and has been an intern with us for 4 semesters! When asked what their favorite memory as an intern was, Nate said “Searching for something and finding a camera part like they used in the original Star Wars for lightsabers.”

Thank you for all you do, Nate!

10/01/2026

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE SOUTHEAST OHIO HISTORY CENTER

10/01/2026

Little Cities Day 2026 is almost here!!! Join us at the historic Tecumseh Theater in Shawnee for an afternoon of talks, tours and history! The lineup includes:

1pm - Sustaining Heritage Panel
Panelists: Melissa Wales (Tecumseh Theater), Logan Lambert (Southeast Ohio History Center) and Dr. Trevellya “Tee” Ford (Mt. Zion Black Cultural Center)

2:10pm - Tecumseh Theater Tour

3pm - Hocking Hills Garment Center Presentation

4pm - Walking Tour of Shawnee

5pm - Grant Writing Tips for Nonprofits: Q&A Session with Sam Miller (KO Consulting LLC)

There will be nonprofits and history organizations tabling in the theater throughout the day, and the Burger Bomber food truck (formerly Mt Airy Beef) will be parked in front of the theater from 1pm to 6pm too!

We hope to see you on Saturday, October 24th in Shawnee!

Tecumseh Theater • Tecumseh Commons Destination Shawnee Southeast Ohio History Center Mount Zion Black Cultural Center, Athens, Ohio Burger Bomber: Katie's Kitchen