History in the Decks

  • By Curtis Robert Tyree
  • November 19, 2010
  • 324
                        
Playing cards have always had a special place in history, if lore is to be believed it was a game of cards that spurred the invention of the sandwich and playing cards for many have led to fame and fortune with the ever-popular poker tournaments. But now the Dover Historical Society is selling decks of playing cards with history on them; each playing card features a historical photo from the Dover area. "The newest addition to our gift shop is our decks of historic playing cards, said Matt Lautzenheiser, director of the Dover Historical Society. “This unique item features over 50 historic images of Dover on the front of the playing card and a classic image of the Reeves Home on the back. "Our new historic playing cards are a great way to own a piece of Dover's history and at the same time support a great cause. The cards came about from an idea I saw at an Ohio Local History Alliance conference, there was a vendor from Newt’s Playing Cards there, a company that had worked with other historical societies with historic playing cards.” Along with historic photos, many cards feature sponsors from the community. Sponsorships were available as a way for the historical society to fundraise from the development of the cards. 1,000 decks were ordered and are now available; each deck costs eight dollars, plus tax. “To pay for the cards sponsorships were made available which paid for the production, layout and shipping of the cards which allowed all the proceeds from the sale of the cards to directly benefit the Dover Historical Society and the J.E. Reeves Museum," said Lautzenheiser. Each card features a historic photo of an important person and or place from the Dover area’s past, such as Mooney Warther, members of the Reeves and Deardorff families, William Quantrill and Milton Blickensderfer, a Medal of Honor recipient. “It’s a great way to get historical images of the area out and in the hands of the public,” said Lautzenheiser. “The old photographs are usually something a historical society has in their displays or archives and can only be seen if you go to them. The cards, just like the book we did last year, allows people to learn about and hold history in their hands. It’s a great opportunity for both the public and the historical society. "Our new decks of historic playing cards make a great stocking stuffer and are available only at the Reeves Home Gift shop located in the Carriage House of the J.E. Reeves Home."


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