~ HISTORICAL SOCIETY ~

The Purpose Of Our Society, as written in our Constitution, is to encourage the preservation of historic structures and sites; identify, collect, and preserve literary, graphic and artifactual materials significant to prehistoric and historic cultures, schools, churches, businesses, and families of Crosby Township; to increase community awareness and appreciation of this heritage through documentation, educational programs and other public events; and to assist persons interested in this history by making our collected cultural resources available for study.

The Society Board is governed by up to seven members. Currently there are five as listed: Melba Guard, President (contact number 513-519-6237), Tony Torres, Vice President, Chuck Heis, Treasurer and two Trustees: Mike Minges and Duane Singleton. The board meets one hour before each regular meeting at the Senior Center.

The Society’s Regular Meetings are on the third Thursday, April through August at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. For March, October, November and December regular meetings are the second Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center. There are no meetings in January and February. The general public is invited. The regular meeting consists of a brief business meeting, a presentation on various topics given by an invited speaker, and refreshments. On occasion the Society goes on field trips to historical related places.

Dues for 2024 are as follows: $10 per individual; $15 per family (in the same household); $100 life membership. A check for dues should be made out to Crosby Township Historical Society and sent to Chuck Heis, Treasurer, Crosby Township Historical Society, 8910 Willey Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030.

Speakers/Programs for 2024 Meetings

Thursday, March 9th Program: Annual Show 'n Tell (Members bring historical items to exhibit)

Thursday, April 18th The Archaeological Research Institute presented an update of the archeological finds they have discovered in our local area.

Thursday, May 16th Morgan's Raider: Joyce Lovins-Browning presented the escapades of Morgan's Raiders who created havoc riding through Harrison and Crosby Township.

Thursday, June 20: Steve Kinne, Conservation Officer for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources presented his experiences policing and investigating the illegal commercialization of caviar on the Ohio and Wabasha Rivers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois vicinity.

Thursday, July 18: Terry Viel, local historian, will give a presentation on the old mansions of Harrison.

Thursday, August 15: Speaker: Walter Westrich will give a presentation on the U.S. Constitution: A Product of Compromise

Thursday, September 17: Society picnic at Passmore Log Cabin at 6:00 pm for members and invited guests

Saturday, October 12th: Speaker: RESCHEDULED: Terry Viel, local historian, will present Old Mansions of Harrison

Saturday, November 9th: John Kiesewetter, columnist and author, will present his experiences covering broadcasting for the Cincinnati Enquirer and his many experiences interviewing Joe Nuxhall. He will have his book, "Joe Nuxhall: The Old Lefthander & Me" available for purchase.

Saturday, December 14th: Christmas Party for members and invited guests

The Old Town Hall in Crosby Township was built in 1865 with money left over from a fund to send volunteers to take the place of drafted men who could not fight in the Civil War. The Historical Society leases the hall, located on Oxford Road in New Haven, from the township trustees in order to house the Society’s museum and research center. The Society received permission from the township trustees to renovate the building. Currently, all of our materials and collections are in storage while we partner with the township trustees to work on the interior and exterior of the structure. The renovation is being performed by member volunteers with donations of money and materials from local businesses, organizations, and individuals. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Chuck Heis, 513-738-4343.

The Passmore Log Cabin

In the summer of the Society’s first year, we were given the opportunity for historic preservation of a log cabin donated by a local resident. This ca. 1815 structure was thought to be one of the first built in New Haven. It stood on lot 29 at the northeast corner of Passmore and Willey Roads. The cabin housed many occupants over time including the Elias Passmore family who owned it for more than 50 years. The cabin was dismantled by Society volunteers and was relocated on Baughman Road behind the Crosby Township Fire Department. Artifacts adorn the inside. The cabin is open during special Society events or by appointment. Call 513-738-1440.

Society members have been busy this fall updating the cabin. A new roof will replace the original that is in bad shape. The outside logs will be sprayed for water protection. Window frames were painted. The path received new gravel. The bench was repaired, and a birdhouse was located near it by a Garden Club member. A good overall cleaning was done inside. And a shed was bought and built to hold outdoor equipment.

Events

Passport to the Past

On October 5th from 2 to 5 p.m., Passport to the Past will showcase various historical spots in Harrison and Crosby Townships. It is their 7th year to invite the public to view places such as The Harrison Village Historical Society Museum, The Othniel Looker home, Fernald Feed Materials Production Center, the White Water Shaker Village, and our Passmore Log Cabin. It is always an enjoyable time to open our doors so people can discover the history around them.

Crosby Day At Stricker's Grove

2003 was the year Crosby Township recognized their bicentennial. Members of the Crosby Township Historical Society organized a committee to celebrate the milestone by putting together a variety of events held during that year. A free musical concert, a chili dinner, a fantasy baseball game, a beard-growing contest and the grand opening and dedication of the Passmore log cabin were among the festivities. One event that continues to this day was the Crosby Day at Stricker's Grove. This event is now in the hands of the township and the historical society continues to participate each year with many other organizations. It is a great time with a large crowd attending each year. This year the event was held Saturday, May 19th. Again, we had a lottery tree where people could buy chances to win all of the $100 worth of lottery scratch-off tickets hanging on the tree. The winner this year was Addie Earls.

Crosby Township's 109th Memorial Day Services

For 109 consecutive years, the longest in Hamilton County, Crosby Township has observed Memorial Day with a parade and services in the New Haven Cemetery. This year was different. On Sunday, May 26th the weather was foreboding, so with quick thinking and actions, the ceremony was held inside the Senior Center. It was a wonderful observance with speaker, Jerry Rowland, a Vietnam Veteran with the U.S. Navy Seabees; Miss Poppy, Danica Stafford; the 275-Brass Quintet; the American Legion Post #199; Pipe Major Mark Morton, 35th Indiana Pipes; and many others. After the service there was an honor parade of vehicles that drove through the cemetery in the rain.

Crosby Township History Book Reprint

The reprint of "The History of Crosby Township" by Stanley McClure is now available. Please contact Melba Guard at guard_m@fuse.net for price and information on how to order and receive the book.

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