Braceville group plans 250th bash
BRACEVILLE — The Braceville Historical Society is planning for various events this year including celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Janice Powell Kistler of Champion, president of the historical society, said local events are being planned in the township to mark America’s milestone.
“We will be hosting different events around that 250th anniversary from July 2025 to July 2026. There will be a huge finale on July 4, 2026. We have met with the Trumbull County Historical Society about ideas for events,” Kistler said.
Terry Shavers, vice president of the society, registered Braceville as an America 250-Ohio Community Celebration Committee, which is a statewide effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial.
“We want to highlight Barceville’s significant impact on Ohio and the nation’s past, present and future,” Shavers said.
The society, which was founded in April 2022, has hosted community events and meetings during the year with displays and speakers on both historical topics and local topics such as how police can help senior citizens.
“We want to showcase what items we have been collecting. We thank people who have given us items to show,” Kistler said.
The society has received original plans from the Leavittsburg Heritage Association for the design and layout of the Braceville schools in the 1940s and the additions in the 1950s. There also are items representing the Underground Railroad.
“I am thrilled we have these to show to the public,” Kistler said.
Displays also have been made of the history of the Phalanx Mills area. There was a local resident who was on the Lusitania when it sank, so there is information about that as well.
Anyone with items can email Kistler at janicekistler@yahoo.com.
Shavers said the society is looking for its own space, but displays are set up for open houses at the township hall.
“We have looked at different locations. There is a log cabin. We have spoken to the Trumbull County MetroParks board about the cabin on Phalanx Mills Road. We would really like to have it there,” Shavers said.
He said the society’s long term goal is to have its own location and have permanent displays. Shavers said the society also is developing a website and has a Facebook page.
Gwen Shavers, secretary of the society, said seeing the school display with class pictures brings back “memories of wonderful school times” and “there are so many pictures of what the schools were like.”
Gloria Dalrymple, treasurer of the society, said she is glad when people come to the open houses and look over the items the society has been able to collect or that have donated.
Ted Toles III of Braceville said he looks over items of his relatives who were in various sporting activities, such as boxing and baseball.
Paul Tancos of Braceville said he is always interested in seeing class pictures or any school-related items. Tancos said he also spends time recording data from area cemeteries, including the Braceville Cemetery.
“I have used Find a Grave (a website) to help me with genealogies. You can gather a lot of history from cemeteries,” Tancos said.
The Shavers are active in getting the African American Museum in the township open to the public.
For Black History Month in February, one event is a documentary on the African American community and its history in Braceville on Feb. 16 at the Robins Theater in Warren. Terry Shavers said the program includes a digital version of the museum nearing completion in Braceville.
“We have more than 30 hours of interviews from local residents of the community telling what it was like to grow up in Braceville,” Shavers said.
Gwen Shavers said she saw pictures from 1941 when her father graduated from Braceville schools.
“Ever since the historical society has started, we have been able to make so many connections,” Shavers said.
Terry Shavers said the society has helped get a reconnection with others they have known when they were in school or younger.
“These events help bring everyone back together again,” he said.
Forms are available for anyone interested in being on the America 250-Ohio Community Celebration Committee.
Volunteers will help with the planning and preparation of events in 2025 and 2026.
Those who want to help can contact Terry Shavers at 216-633-1154 or tshavers65@gmail.com.