Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta
Sharon Letson of Warren, executive director of Youngstown CityScape, checks out the watercolor prints at Concept Studio during First Fridays.

MVHS Communications Manager Lindsay Samblanet discussed the significance of the Tyler History Center.

“Our visitors learn all about the history of not only the Mahoning Valley, but the surrounding areas. The Valley is full of rich history and culture, and we want our visitors to see the importance of knowing their history and get excited for what the future has in store,” she said.

During Friday evening’s event, one floor of the Tyler History Center — the headquarters for the MVHS — focused on Harry Burt’s chocolate and candy manufacturing, ice cream, restaurants and kitchens.

Another floor dealt with local history, arts and crafts and historic games.

“It gives us a chance to connect with each other and our little organizations, and, also, patrons of the museum here and people just out here for First Fridays. We’re all little organizations always looking to increase awareness and our memberships,” said Cheri Goldner, treasurer of the Austintown Historical Society.

“The People of Mahoning Valley: Stories of Identity and Innovation” shows the development of the area — from Native Americans who originally lived here to John Young, the founder of Youngstown — through immigrants who arrived from around the world to make an impact on the area’s agricultural and industrial economy, and its culture.

The display touches upon the steel industry and Joseph Butler, who led the Valley’s transition from iron to steel manufacturing. There are also sections on organized crime, downtown commerce, arts and entertainment, prizefighters and suburban expansion.

Sixto Rivera of Youngstown was particularly interested in the steel industry section. A former Republic / LTV Steel employee for more than 40 years, he noted that he wore gear similar to what is displayed in the exhibit.

With its history-based narrative, the Spring Commons Guided Walking Tour took attendees from the Tyler History Center to Spring Common, the Firefighters Memorial Bridge, Oak Hill Avenue, the Marshall Street Bridge, Vindicator Square and back to West Federal Street.

Running over two blocks with numerous businesses involved, this became First Fridays’ most expansive event.

“We’re trying to make it a vibrant city and keep the vibe going with the history we’ve had here, with all the arts and culture and lean into that and all of what downtown has to offer,” said Adam Lee, Youngstown CityScape Program Director. “With First Fridays, we are trying to bring people downtown for fun events and show off our assets, different cultural institutions and some beautiful architecture.”

Food trucks had sweet treats while free Good Humor ice cream bars — invented by Burt — were handed out. Vendors lined much of the West Federal Street sidewalk, the Butler Institute of American Art presented an aluminum crafting activity, and live music performances by Kari Ann Rutushian and Seasons of Swing happened at the corner of West Federal and South Hazel.

Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy of Girard, the official licensor of Good Humor brands and home to the nation’s largest Good Humor shirt collection, launched three new designs at First Fridays with proceeds from sales benefiting Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

Businesses located along West Federal Street — Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), WRTA, Concept Studio, DT-1 Enterprises and Strollo Architects — had open houses, interactive displays and exhibits.

Besides a 1905 Mahoning Touring that was displayed in the Tyler History Center lobby, attendees could view the new WRTA electric bus, a 1953 American LaFrance firetruck and 1947 Ford Youngstown Water Department truck.

James Mamonis, a mechanic with Youngstown’s water department who was among those who worked on the Ford truck, said the vehicle was out of service in 1982 and sat around for decades until restoration work began nearly 15 years ago. Much of the body is original as well as the engine, which was previously rebuilt.

“This is part of the city’s history,” he said. “It’s really neat that we can bring it out. A lot of people get a kick out of it and like seeing it. I hope that continues.

“I’m happy and proud to be a part of this and a part of this city’s history. It’s an awesome piece that made its way through because we have vehicles now that after 20 years, they are obliterated, and they get sold at auction. We get rid of them. So, for this to have made it all this time, it’s pretty cool.”

Connecting MVHS with the area’s future ventures, Samblanet said, “We would like to bring light to the rich history of Youngstown, and the positive direction that the city is taking to restore its image as a hub of growth and innovation.

“We are very excited and hopeful for the future of Youngstown. New businesses are opening, and restorations are happening every day, and the city is thriving. We are an organization that has been around for 150 years proving that the Mahoning Valley is resilient and will continue to be well into the future,” she said.

Besides MVHS expanding its reach with work being done on an Idora Park Museum at 250 E. Federal St., Barb Ewing, CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator, sees more economic opportunities that include government contracts.

“The Defense Department is spending generational kind of money to rebuild the U.S manufacturing supply chain,” she said, “and that can be in advanced manufacturing and making things like drones or components for hypersonic engines, which are things that are done on our campus, but it is also providing them with very fundamental basic things like screws and paper products. There’s a customer in Warren that sells pencils to the government. They buy all things and it’s an opportunity for everybody.”

She said it’s important for area entrepreneurs to know that YBI isn’t one-dimensional.

“While we do a lot in advanced technology, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing, working to build the aerospace and defense industries in this area — and I truly believe that that is the future of the Mahoning Valley — we also work with very traditional businesses through our minority business assistance center. We can work with, essentially, any business in the Mahoning Valley. It doesn’t have to touch technology at all, and that creates a truly diverse economic climate that will pay dividends into the future.”