The schoolhouse, general store, firehouse, carriage house, and Kister building which garnish the grounds of the Wayne County Historical Society of Ohio, and the countless artifacts they house, impart a fascinating glimpse back in time. But they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath those structures lies a hidden labyrinth of Wayne County history – the Historical Society’s permanent collection, largely due to the efforts of the late Dave Broehl.
In his memory, the permanent collection will be named The David Broehl Exhibit Halls, and the public is invited to the formal dedication on September 24. Until Broehl’s initiative, 80 percent of the Society’s permanent collection was in storage due to lack of display space. In just one of his many contributions to the Society, he conceived the notion of developing the underground spaces into extensive exhibit quarters and soon set about to turn his vision into a reality. With the help of many others, Broehl worked tirelessly for many years – designing the spaces, raising funds, procuring contractors, moving the items – and the new halls opened in September 2018. Last fall, the board of trustees voted unanimously to name the greatly enhanced permanent collection in Broehl’s honor.
As part of Broehl’s project, a tunnel was constructed to connect the basements of the various buildings, and soon thousands of items were retrieved from storage and displayed. The collection includes the history of Wayne County’s agriculture, birds and animals, documents, flags, household items, military uniforms and weapons, photos and portraits, toys, items reflecting the industrial revolution, and many other displays,
For nearly three decades, Broehl devoted his time, talents, and energy to the sustenance, improvement, and promotion of the Historical Society. He served countless hours as a docent and two terms as president, and he co-chaired, with Greg Long, A Campaign into the Next Century, which raised $1.5 million toward the achievement of a multitude of projects.
The dedication will take place on Saturday, September 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Wayne County Historical Society, 546 E. Bowman Street. A plaque will be unveiled and visitors may tour the permanent collection exhibits – all for free. Overflow parking is available at St. Mary’s Church.
