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The History of Our Society

Back in 1990, Larry Schmolt, Price Hill Civic Club president, encouraged members with an interest in researching their homes to start a new club. Inspired by him, 25 people joined together to start a historical society.

 

Deborah Horning, the first coordinator, led with drive, zeal, and passion. Mike Maio, a founding member and real estate attorney. taught members how to maneuver the Recorder's Office to research the history of their homes. But that was just the beginning.

Our first year, we worked feverishly for two months to complete all about Price Hill's historic home, publishing it to coincide with the Price Hill Civic Club's 75th anniversary celebrations. Two home tours quickly followed. The next year, we brought back the Price Hill Thanksgiving Day Parade with all the excitement of kings and queens, marching bands, and fun floats.

Our first meetings were held in the St. Lawrence Flower Shop, at St. Lawrence Corner. Soon we outgrew that space and moved to the second floor of the Horning's carpenter shop behind their Glenway residence. Memorabilia and documents multiplied, overflowing the space, so we began meeting at Dunham, in parks, churches, and even funeral homes.

With so much Price Hill history stored in the carpenter shop, we were worried it might be damaged or mistaken for trash. Valda Moore and Betty Wagner, two founding members, volunteered to catalog and preserve it for future generations. The space was unheated, with no air conditioning or bathroom. Still they persevered. They tracked down sources, recording data on all acquisitions, which was tedious and frustration. Two and a half years, they had completed the work.
Their efforts convinced them a permanent home was vital for their treasure trove. It was luck, or maybe destiny, that the Provident Bank building on Warsaw Avenue became available at that very time. With a lot of trepidation and a great sense of mission, the building was purchased with donations and lots of fund raising. By 2000, we owned the building outright.

Today, the museum is filled with fascinating memorabilia, rooms to explore, a library, and so much more. This Historical Society and Museum operates solely with volunteers. All items have been donated.

Since the beginning, the Price Hill Historical and Museum has had a major impact on the community, fighting diligently to save historic structures, hosting home and church tours, organizing educational projects and social events. In 2000 we assumed sponsorship of Price Hill Day at Coney and have established a publishing company, the Bold Face Press. And our work for our neighborhood continues.