GHS welcomes new president, Pioneer Days scheduled for Aug. 5-6
Andy McMillen
The Gnadenhutten Historical Society installed a new president, Andy McMillen of Harrison County, earlier this year. McMillen is a teacher at Indian Valley High School in Gnadenhutten, and he teaches local history as part of his job.
“Our history is phenomenal. It’s a tragic story, but it is a one-of-a-kind place to visit for good or bad,” McMillen said. “I’m going to do my best to preserve the grounds. It’s a very interesting museum for being a small town. There are a lot of good things here to preserve. I’ve always loved history. I feel when things like this go away, they’re gone.”
The grounds and museum are owned by the village of Gnadenhutten, and they are operated by the Gnadenhutten Historical Society. The village, which began as a Moravian mission, celebrated its 250th anniversary last year and was the site of the Gnadenhutten Massacre, where 96 Christian Delaware Native Americans were killed on March 8, 1782, by the Pennsylvania Militia.
McMillen hopes to find ways to continue to tell Gnadenhutten’s story.
“My passion, being a teacher, is finding ways to engage the community,” McMillen said. “A high percentage of people that come here are from beyond our area, well beyond the Tuscarawas Valley.”
The number of people who also visit the grounds and museum is higher than McMillen would have thought.
“I just enjoy when people get more in touch with their area,” McMillen said. “I’ve taught the local history class now eight years. And in that time, I’ve been surprised how well the class has gone. I think (students) leave the class very interested, very knowledgeable about our area. It’s encouraged me to think that maybe we can find ways to get the interesting stories of our area out to our community.”
To that end the historical society will start a newsletter in October. It will be available on its website, and the museum will have paper copies.
“I really believe when people find the story out about it, they will be engaged,” McMillen said. “And I think if people have a better understanding of their past, that is going to shape them today and how they see the world of today and even tomorrow. I think they’ll have more appreciation of their communities around here.”
Summer hours at the Gnadenhutten Historical Park are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
“We’ve had several people volunteer for the first time this year. And it’s been a blessing,” McMillen said. “We’ve been open every minute we’re supposed to be open, and that’s a big task.”
More volunteers are always welcome, and McMillen would like to see some younger volunteers get involved too.
McMillen thanked former GHS President John Heil for his longtime work with the society. Heil resigned last year.
“John has gone above and beyond. He loves the community and has done a lot of things unheralded,” McMillen said.
One project the GHS hopes to complete this year is some restoration work on the monument that has been in place since June 5, 1872. They are now collecting donations to complete the estimated $1,300 project. The GHS is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information call 330-432-3049 or email ramcmillen25@gmail.com.
The work is needed on the capstone that is just above the base of the monument.
“It’s just in rough shape,” McMillen said.
McMillen is thankful to the Village of Gnadenhutten for its help. The village did some work on the trees, added a new fence along the parking lot, added a new heating and cooling system to the museum, and plans to add stone and work on the walking path.
The 2023 Pioneer Days Festival will be held at the Gnadenhutten Historical Park Aug. 5-6. Reenactors will start setting up on Wednesday.
Presentations on Aug. 5 include McMillen at 11 a.m. speaking about the perils of the pioneers, and he also will take questions. At noon performers from Trumpet in the Land will perform songs and a few scenes from the show. At 2 p.m. Seth Angel will speak on stories from the missions.
There will be no princess contest this year, but organizers plan to have the event in 2024.
On Sunday Pastor Tom Klaserner will hold a service in the church. The annual crock auction will be at 2 p.m. The crocks are being made by Abby Roberts of Peaceflower Pottery, and a cross has been added to the design this year.
Volunteers will cook and sell bean soup and cornbread. Crystal’s Freedom Bee will be set up in the concession stand to offer more food selections.
McMillen encourages everyone to visit the event and talk with the reenactors.
“It’s an opportunity to see a different world that existed right here where we live,” McMillen said.