Lorain Historical Society

10/20/2026

🪇 🎵 🎤 75 Years of Latin Music in Lorain, at the Lorain Palace, Sunday, October 25 • 3 pm • FREE Admission🎺💃🎸 —Join us for the 3rd Installment of the Latino Lorain History Project! The Lorain Historical Society has supported the project through the work of the Latino History Project Committee and by hosting three “Quesitos con Café” gatherings over the past several years. These events provided opportunities to engage community members, share stories, and gather information that has helped shape the project. The Historical Society also serves as the fiscal agent for 75 Years of Latin Music in Lorain.

10/19/2026

Tom Girz will be presenting Memiors of a Marauder Man: Stories From a WWII B-26 Bomber Crewman on Saturday, October 24, 11 am - 1 pm at Carnegie Center. Guest Speaker Tom Girz has been researching his family history for over 25 years, and is currently working on his father’s memoirs, detailing his combat mission experience as a radio operator-waist gunner during WWII in a medium bomber - the B-26 Martin Marauder. Technical Sergeant Joe Girz, born & raised in Lorain, flew 57 combat missions during World War II, as a Radio Operator-Waist Gunner in B-26 Martin Marauder medium bombers. Flying out of Sardinia, Corsica, and Dijon, France, between August 1944 and May 1945, he and crewmates flew bombing missions in direct support of Allied ground operations to hit specific targets in Italy, France, and Germany. Registration is recommended by sending an email to [email protected]. Admission is $5 at the door.

Step into the personal story of Technical Sergeant Joe Girz, a Lorain native who flew 57 combat missions during World War II as a Radio Operator–Waist Gunner aboard B-26 Martin Marauder bombers. Program fee $5, cash payable at the door. Registration suggested, by emailing [email protected].

10/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us Saturday for a fantastic presentation by Tom Patton on the fascinating history of the Lakeshore Electric Railway! A special thank you to Tom for sharing his knowledge and helping us learn a little more about our region’s rich history!

10/15/2026

🚃This Saturday, October 17 at 11 am join us for “The Lakeshore Electric Railway: Ohio’s Forgotten Interurban” 🛤️ at the Carnegie Center. Come and discover the fascinating story of the Lakeshore Electric Railway (LSE), an innovative interurban rail line that connected Toledo and Cleveland from 1890 to 1938. Though largely forgotten today, the LSE once played a vital role in shaping transportation, commerce, and daily life across Northern Ohio—especially in communities like Lorain and many others all along the Lake Erie shoreline.
This presentation draws from a newly completed, in-depth 750-page historical volume compiled by railway historians Tom Patton and Dennis Lamont. Featuring hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photographs, maps, and archival materials, the program offers a rich visual and narrative exploration of this unique chapter in Ohio’s past. Books will also be available for purchase in our museum gift shop. $5 payable at the door, please RSVP [email protected].

10/13/2026

Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30pm at Hoke Theatre, LCCC is presenting the 2019 documentary film "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am," directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, and produced by Johanna Giebelhaus, Greenfield-Sanders, Chad Thompson, and Tommy Walker. It follows American novelist Toni Morrison who examines her life and work. The film also features Oprah Winfrey, Fran Lebowitz, Russell Banks, Angela Davis and Barack Obama.
As a special note: The Lorain Historical Society was honored to provide some background information and photographs of Toni Morrison from the time she grew up in Lorain, which are featured in this documentary.

10/12/2026

YOUR HOLIDAY MEMORIES ARE PART OF LORAIN’S STORY!
Post a comment, share a story, or add a photo of a special holiday or cultural item that represents how your family celebrates the season.
As the Lorain Historical Society prepares to celebrate the International City's All Nations Holiday Celebration, we want to hear from YOU! Share your holiday moments and traditions with us!
🎄 What holiday traditions have been passed down in your family?
🕎 What special foods, decorations, music, or celebrations are part of your culture?
🎁 Is there a treasured holiday item that holds a special story or memory?
📸 Do you have a favorite holiday photo that brings back wonderful memories?
Your traditions. Your memories. Our Lorain story.

10/11/2026

Join us Saturday, October 17 at 11:00am for 🚃 “The Lakeshore Electric Railway: Ohio’s Forgotten Interurban” 🛤️ at the Carnegie Center. Discover the fascinating story of the Lakeshore Electric Railway (LSE), an innovative interurban rail line that connected Toledo and Cleveland from 1890 to 1938. Though largely forgotten today, the LSE once played a vital role in shaping transportation, commerce, and daily life across Northern Ohio—especially in communities like Lorain.
This presentation draws from a newly completed, in-depth 750-page historical volume compiled by railway historians Tom Patton and Dennis Lamont. Featuring hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photographs, maps, and archival materials, the program offers a rich visual and narrative exploration of this unique chapter in Ohio’s past. Books will also be available for purchase in our museum gift shop. $5 payable at the door, please RSVP [email protected].

10/10/2026

The museum and Carnegie Center building are closed to the public today, Saturday, October 10. We will reopen for normal hours next week on Tuesday, October 13 at 10am.

10/09/2026

📣 🏈 LAST CHANCE — Historic Homecoming is TONIGHT AT 6:30pm! Be there to celebrate your alma mater, wear your school colors, and support the Lorain Historical Society at this fun-filled evening sharing memories of the past and new friends. Food by Pogie's Catering, Cash Bar, Raffles, Free Games & Prizes, Spirit Cup Competition & Music by DJ Rey. Tickets are only $45/person and help preserve and share Lorain's stories and further our mission. Info. & Registration: https://www.lorainhistory.org/event-details-registration/historic-homecoming-2026

10/07/2026

The Lorain Historical Society was happy to attend the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s event announcing the incredible grand total raised through the Connect to a Cause effort—more than $600,000 to benefit over 112 nonprofits throughout Lorain County!
We are grateful to everyone who contributed, supported local nonprofits, and helped make this effort such a success. Your generosity strengthens our community and makes a meaningful difference.