By: Kevin Grace
Every October, the Society of Ohio Archivists sponsors “Archives Month in Ohio” to encourage teachers, students, scholars and the general public to seek out and learn from the rich historical resources in the state. From the smallest community historical society to the largest public libraries and universities, the wealth of primary research material in Ohio contributes not only to appreciation of our heritage, but provides understanding of our current lives as well.
And each year, the SOA Archives Month Committee selects a specific topic to highlight repository holdings. In the past, some of the themes have been music, African American heritage, business, and sports. As part of the annual focus, exhibits, lectures, and other programs are offered and a promotional poster is printed. For 2012, the theme is “Peoples of Ohio” and southwestern Ohio will focus on Irish heritage. For the poster, the Archives & Rare Books Library contributed the image shown here of a piper from the Cincinnati Emerald Society of Police and Fired Pipes and Drums Corps performing in the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. This photo will accompany other wonderful images representing the state’s Native American, Greek, Slovak, Jewish, German, French, and African American citizens, for example. Posters will be available by late summer. Continue reading