Worthington Historical Society

Worthington Historical Society The Worthington Historical Society is dedicated to creating experiences that inspire interest in Worthington history.

by preserveing and interpreting local history, maintaining historic sites, and providing community education.

100 Years Ago Today...October 14, 1926An advertisement from Potter Lumber & Supply Co. touted the benefits of Celotex, "...
10/15/2026

100 Years Ago Today...October 14, 1926

An advertisement from Potter Lumber & Supply Co. touted the benefits of Celotex, "the amazing lumber not cut from trees". The advert read, "After three years’ experience in selling CELOTEX, we can heartily recommend it as a superior insulating material. It is used very extensively as a sheathing and plaster base in new constructions. It is very practical for lining attics, chicken houses, etc., or any place where insulation is important. Mr. B. S. Wellman, our former townsman, could not use his attic in his new home on luka Avenue until he lined it with Celotex, after which it was as comfortable as any other room in his house. It also combines beauty with utility as demonstrated in the office of Dr. L. C. Scatterday in the Post Office building, where it was used as partitions. Easy to apply and very reasonable in price."

A 1923 catalog shows images of homes being constructed using the product, avaiable on Internet Archive here: https://archive.org/details/CelotexCompany/page/n7/mode/2up

To read the full issue of the Worthington News visit:
https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll97/id/239/rec/4

🍂 Fall flavors are pouring at Porch Growler!As part of our History on Tap Pub Crawl, make a stop at Porch Growler to enj...
10/14/2026

🍂 Fall flavors are pouring at Porch Growler!

As part of our History on Tap Pub Crawl, make a stop at Porch Growler to enjoy a wide selection of craft b**r, including seasonal Oktoberfest favorites like those featured here. With dozens of rotating taps, every visit offers something different.

Stop in during the History on Tap Pub Crawl, collect your history card and stamp, and discover a new favorite while supporting local businesses throughout October.

History never tasted this good. 🥃The Morrow Mule is this stop's featured History on Tap cocktail. With Cazadores Reposad...
10/13/2026

History never tasted this good. 🥃

The Morrow Mule is this stop's featured History on Tap cocktail. With Cazadores Reposado, pomegranate molasses syrup, lime, ginger b**r, coffee and chocolate bitters, it's a drink as memorable as the stories that inspired it.

Stop in, enjoy a cocktail, collect your history card and passport stamp, and discover all the participating locations on this month's History on Tap Pub Crawl.

The Old Rectory Structural Support Project, funded in part by the Ohio History Fund Grant Program of the Ohio History Co...
10/12/2026

The Old Rectory Structural Support Project, funded in part by the Ohio History Fund Grant Program of the Ohio History Connection is underway this week. We do not anticipate any disruptions to our open hours this week at the Rectory, , or , however updates will be provided should that change.

Donations to the Ohio History Fund make this program possible. The Worthington Historical Society (WHS) is stabilizing its c. 1845 headquarters—the Old Rectory. With a $9,000 Ohio History Fund grant, the project will reinforce floor framing to preserve the building’s integrity and ensure safe public access. Structural issues, including floor deflection and vibration, led to engineers recommending installing support beams and footings. This intervention meets historic preservation standards and protects 15,000+ catalogued artifacts housed in the building. Home to the Doll Museum, archives, and programming, the Old Rectory hosts thousands of visitors annually and houses daily staff and volunteers.

Ohio History Connection

100 Years Ago Today... October 7, 1926The Worthington News reported the death of Col. Harry Parker Ward, a longtime Wort...
10/07/2026

100 Years Ago Today... October 7, 1926

The Worthington News reported the death of Col. Harry Parker Ward, a longtime Worthington resident whose impact on the community was felt in civic, religious, educational, and military circles.

Born in Zanesville in 1865, Ward moved to Worthington in 1894 and quickly became a community leader. He served on Village Council, was among the first trustees of the Worthington Library, spent 17 years as choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church, and founded the first Boy Scout troop in Franklin County.

A graduate of Marietta College, Ward was also active with the Sons of the American Revolution, the Columbus Humane Society, and local Masonic organizations. His greatest passion, however, was military service. Beginning with the Ohio National Guard, he rose through the ranks over four decades, serving during the Spanish-American War and World War I. His wartime assignments included military instructor, General Staff officer, and a special mission delivering War Department communications to General John J. Pershing in France.

Known affectionately as "High Pressure Ward" for his boundless energy, Ward earned an even more meaningful title during his service at the Port of Embarkation in Hoboken: "the friend of the enlisted man." His dedication to the welfare of ordinary soldiers won widespread respect and admiration.

At the time of his death, Ward held the rank of Colonel in the Officers Reserve Corps and was preparing to take the final examination for promotion to Brigadier General.

The newspaper concluded that Col. Ward "lived for God and Country," a fitting tribute to a man whose service shaped both Worthington and the nation. He is buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington.

Read the full issue of the October 7 Worthington News here: https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll97/id/874/rec/1

A good story deserves a good drink. 🍎📚The Whispering Page Bookstore is featuring a Bourbon Apple C***r Cocktail and Appl...
10/06/2026

A good story deserves a good drink. 🍎📚

The Whispering Page Bookstore is featuring a Bourbon Apple C***r Cocktail and Apple Ginger Mocktail as part of our History on Tap Pub Crawl. Stop by for a drink, pick up a passport, and collect your stamp while exploring Worthington's local businesses all month long!
whispering.page

10/03/2026

Come check out the Shop at the Old Rectory’s Antique Sale on the Village Green! We’re open from 9-4.

Sip your way through Worthington’s history! 🍻🍷🍹The Worthington Historical Society is organizing the first-ever “History ...
10/01/2026

Sip your way through Worthington’s history! 🍻🍷🍹The Worthington Historical Society is organizing the first-ever “History on Tap” Pub Crawl from October 1st - 31st.

Grab a friend and head out to any of these participating locations to pick up a Pub Crawl Passport. Passports can also be picked up at The Old Rectory during Shop & Doll Museum hours, Wed-Fri 1-4 pm, Sat 10 am - 2 pm.

Wolf's Ridge at The Worthington Inn, 649 N High
The Whispering Page, 661 N High, D
Worthington Tavern, 671 N High
The Pub Out Back, 679 N High, Ste. C
Porch Growler, 890 N High, Ste. C

Purchase a cocktail, mocktail, b**r, w**e, or other featured beverage and show your Passport to receive a punch or stamp. At each location you will receive a history card featuring a Worthington historic site, and associated Halloween legend, or ghost story.

When you complete your Passport, bring it back to the Society’s Shop to receive an exclusive pint glass, while supplies last!

Participants may visit locations at their own pace throughout the month.
Cheers!

.whispering.page

Address

50 W New England Avenue
Worthington, OH
43085

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+16148851247

Website

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