Few things are better than a well-told story, and no one preserves the well-told stories of our local history better than the Wayne County Historical Society. These stories are intended to be passed on to younger generation. What better way to do just than then to establish The Young Historians – a student-centered history club at the Wayne County Historical Society in Wooster!

THE YOUNG HISTORIANS History Club is designed to promote the study and preservation of Wayne County’s rich history is it intertwines with the many chapters of state and national history.

What role did citizens of Wayne County play in the War of 1812, the women’s suffrage movement, the Civil War, WWI, the development of the Atomic Bomb, or the Civil Rights movement? By engaging the youth of Wayne County with the story of their county and their active role within the pages of American History, the Wayne County Historical Society deepens its mission of passing on and preserving our past.

THE YOUNG HISTORIANS History Club is designed for two specific groups of students: first to all 4th – 8th grade students, and second to all High School students. This page focuses on High School Students interested in History. The objectives of the club are listed below and are directly connected to the standard for Social Studies as set by the Ohio Department of Education.

Objective and goal of THE YOUNG HISTORIANS History Club: To promote the study of Wayne County History to the youth of Wayne County, to encourage students to engage with the study of their past as well as the retelling of the story of Wayne County, and to guide students, through their active participation in the many aspects of museum work, into careers and field of study in history.

The Ohio Department of Education has provided the grade level standards for Social Studies and will be the core of the history club. Membership in The Young Historians History Club for High Schoolers is available to students from 9th grade through 12th grade.

Membership in THE YOUNG HISTORIANS HISTORY CLUB (High School Students)

  • Students must register to become a member of The Young Historians. This can be done at any of the monthly meetings held at the Schoolhouse on the campus of the Wayne County Historical Society, 546 E Bowman St, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
  • Students can join at any time of the year.
  • There is no cost for membership in The Young Historians.

Membership Benefits:

Each student member will receive one (1) Young Historians history club t-shirt with the official club logo on the front and a historic quote on the back.

Student members will receive a family pass to the Wayne County Historical Society good for the duration of the given school year in which they are participating.

High School members have the opportunity to lead Saturday and Summer Camp History Programs held at the Wayne County Historical Society.

All participants who complete the requirements will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the school year.

Activities for the Young Historians:

Explore the Wayne County Historical Society.

Engage in and lead several history camps throughout the year. These will be both one-day Saturday events in the spring and fall/winter, as well as a week-long summer camp in late June. All events will be on the W.C.H.S.’s campus and will be held in a variety of buildings on the site depending upon the topic of the camp.

Attend a summer picnic and participate in a historic baseball game in late June. (Possibly at the ballfield at the old Beall Avenue elementary school?)

Work with professional museum staff to create new museum displays for the main museum galleries. These will be centered around the theme selected by the staff for the year.

Interact with historians and professionals in the museum field. Immerse yourself in the museum profession through a wide variety of internship opportunities.

The Young Historians Participant Requirements:

Student members must participate in one (1) spring history day (camp), one (1) summer history camp (week-long), and one (1) fall/winter history day activity. The spring, fall, and winter activities will be held on a Saturday. The summer activity will be a summer camp held at the Wayne County Historical Society in late June. Guided by the professional museum staff, high school members will be greatly encouraged to take a leadership role in these camps to teach younger members of the club.

Student members are required to study one component of Ohio or Wayne County History each year. Themes will be provided to guide your study. Students will design a museum style display of their research which will be available to the visiting public.

Create a display for a Wayne County History Day competition focusing on one aspect of Ohio/Wayne County History. The displays will follow similar requirements to the National History Day Competition, and the entries will be judged by professional staff members of the W.C.H.S. as well as the high school members of the club. Awards will be given to the best displays.

Opportunities Provided to The Young Historians:

High School members have the opportunity to lead historical programs geared to younger student groups offered throughout the year.

Afterschool Trivia! Gather your friends to join in on a fun round of History Trivia held once a month in the Schoolhouse at the Wayne County Historical Society. Snacks provided and prizes given to the winning team.

Internship Opportunity #1:

MUSEUM CURATION & DISPLAY CREATION.

High School History Club members have the opportunity to work with professional museum staff in handling original documents and material objects in the “Vault” – the museum’s special collection room, learn the art of curations, and design a museum display for one of the galleries.

Internship Opportunity #2:

STUDENT MUSEUM DOCENT PROGRAM

High School History Club members will be trained by the professional staff of docents in the museum to become docents themselves and to provide tours of the museum to visiting guests. Scheduled as needed or for special group tours.

Events Calendar: