About Us
The Wellston Historical Association was founded July 5, 1999 under the leadership of Shannon Weber, then a law student. Stepping forward in the earliest days to assist Weber was Barbara McKinniss and together they visited neighboring communities historical societies to develop ideas and solicited other civic minded Wellstonians to join in their new group. The early meetings were held at Wellston depot, the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall and the library community meeting room. The purpose of the Association is to educate and promote to all people the history of the city of Wellston , to collect and preserve documents , artifacts and properties , both real and personal of historical significance. The name Wellston Historical Association was chosen instead of Wellston Historical Society so the initials would not be the same of the initials of the high school, which might cause confusion.
The Historical Association was proud to receive charter memberships from almost 200 people in its first year.
The early officers included Shannon Weber as president; Bernard McKinniss, vice president; Sam Brady, secretary and John Stabler, treasurer. Trustees included Mark Chevalier, Eric Fryxell, Helen Heiser, Tom Lockard and Carolyn Coyle. Others serving as trustees included Dick Mantz and Eric Fryxell. Also active in the early formation of the Association was Chuck Wood and Jim Downard, who was active in the publication of the monthly news letter. Currently the news letters and minutes are sent to members who have submitted their e-mail address.
Current Officers include Weber who has continued to serve as president, Floyd Hollberg, vice president, Barbara McKinniss, secretary and Linda Walton, treasurer. Other treasurers have included Brenda Weber and Roby Browning. Current Trustees include Lois Nilson, Linda Walton, Wilbur Ward, Eldon Shook, Ruth Hayth and Dottie Vankirk.
The monthly meetings of the Wellston Historical Association are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the building 111 Ohio Avenue donated to the Association by the late Tom Lockard. An annual meeting is held each year either in October or early November.
Our guest speakers at the annual meeting have varied but included descendants of both Congressman H. S. Bundy on whose land Wellston is located and Harvey Wells the town founder.The annual meeting in 2008 will be held the first Saturday in November at the Depot, a historic location on town.
Our official publication is The Wellstonian, so named by the late Susan Hendershott.
The activities of the Association has included the on-going work for the preservation and restoration of the Harvey Wells house on East "A" Street, the publication of The Wellston family History, an annual picnic held each summer in July either at Lake Alma or at the West End Park the site of the former West End School, on West Broadway. The Association also participates each year in the Coal Festival which was originally formed as the Ohillco Festival an out growth of the 1973 Centennial Celebration of Wellston. Lake Alma was built by Wellston industrialist C. K. Davis.
Currently the Association along with the Wellston Rotary Club is in the process of having the silent film Wellston Heroes made from reel film to a DVD so it can be sold .
Membership in the Association is $5 for a student; $15.for an individual; $25.for a family membership; $100 for a business; $500. Lifetime membership; $750. patron membership; $1000. or more a benefactor.
For more information about the Wellston Historical Association write to the Wellston Historical Association, 111 S. Ohio Avenue. Wellston, Ohio 45692. If you are interested in receiving our monthly news letter include your e-mail address. The mailing of the news letter was stopped due to the increased mailing fees