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Meghan Reed named MVP

Historical Society official honored

WARREN — Meghan Reed, director of the Trumbull County Historical Society, recently was honored with a 25 Under 35 Award from the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals and the Community Foundation, recognizing her various work throughout the community.

Reed also was named one of three MVPs from the group. She was nominated for her work with the historical society and work within the community. She serves as president of the W.D. Packard Foundation and was involved with the installation of an elevator at Packard Music Hall. She also sits on the executive council for the Any Child Initiative for Warren City School students.

The award recognizes those under age 35 for accomplishments in their area and for community work.

“It was incredible. I knew in advance that I was one of the top 25. I am very honored and humbled to be part of that group Valleywide,” Reed said.

Last week, Reed, on behalf of the historical society, accepted the keys to the Owen Morgan House, 328 Mahoning Ave., which was a joint effort between the Western Reserve Port Authority and Trumbull County Historical Society.

“We will take the vacant building and transform it into a Cultural and Education Center with classroom space, public research location and offices. This will be a dedicated research facility. Doing this will allow us to free up space at the John Stark Edwards House,” said Reed.

The Edwards House, constructed in 1807, has 1,300 feet of space for exhibits, operations and programs, Reed said, adding community input will be part of determining use of the space.

It will take a year to renovate the two-and-a-half story 1894 Owen Morgan House with plans to move in summer 2020, she said.

The society, Reed added, has been collecting oral history projects involving residents from five neighborhoods in Warren. Themes and events for the project relate to what happened in those neighborhoods.

“We have held meetings in each neighborhood and have worked on specific residents’ oral history,” she said.

The Sunday speakers series held 2 p.m. Sundays April to December will change this year with programs held at a different location each month.

“We want to bring the series to larger venues. We ran out of space last year at some sites,” she said, indicating sites include Hubbard Public Library and McKinley Memorial Library.

The programs have audiences of 40 to 70 people.

Reed said topics include the “Legacy of Confederate Monuments Historically and How that theme now is part of culture, “ Alaska Packard, the first female FBI special agent, and the county’s extinct Coalburg area.

“We hope to keep growing and may need space to accommodate that. We want to go to different locations and partner with other organizations and groups,” she said.

Reed also is involved with:

• Walking tours on the second Saturday of each month, April to October, with plans for walks in Hartford, Kinsman, North Bloomfield, Mesopotamia and Warren;

• Revamping The Race Through the Past, a historic scavenger hunt set May 25:

• Oktoberfest on the Square, a main society fundraiser set 4-8 p.m. Sept. 14;

• Plans to bring Dr. Jason Reese to the area to speak May 23 on redlining and how such practices shaped Warren. Redlining was a practice in the 1930s to discriminate against African-Americans and immigrants who would not qualify for loans for homes. The event is in conjunction with different community organizations including the Wean Foundation;

• Plans for the 2020 Suffragette Centennial to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1920 decision to give women the right to vote. Organizations are needed to be part of the event. Call 330-394-4653;

• Historic Building Recognition program, accepting applications for those homes 75 or more years old and qualify for the award. Forms available at www.trumbull counthistory.org or at the Edwards House 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday April to December.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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