All is well as McGuffey Historical Society celebrates 60th anniversary

COITSVILLE — Representatives of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society and Mill Creek Metroparks earlier this month dedicated a new sign for the McGuffey Family Well at the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve.

The ceremony commemorates the historical society's 60th anniversary.

"The well was dug, used and maintained at the former homestead for the use of the McGuffey family, neighbors and travelers," Richard S. Scarsella, chairman of the historical society's board of directors, said in a news release. "It is a direct link to the famous author's life on the farm."

The McGuffey Wildlife Preserve on McGuffey Road includes 78 acres. The historical society donated it to the park district in 1998.

A new parking area serves the trails, fields and historical marker dated 1966, which commemorates the property as a National Historic Landmark. An unusual geological feature, named a drumelin, still survives.

The William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society was founded in 1961 in Coitsville Township.

"We are the last chapter of the National Federation of McGuffey Societies, which once numbered 100,000," Shirley Eckley, society president and McGuffey descendent, said.

William McGuffey is called "America's Schoolmaster" and "America's Storyteller" for his groundbreaking children's anthology, formally known as the "Eclectic Readers," but usually referred to as the "McGuffey Readers."

"We aim to keep the rich McGuffey legacy alive, both locally and nationally," Scarsella said.

The society has loaned McGuffey family letters and a portrait to the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown. Other artifacts are stored at the Mill Creek Metroparks' D.D. and Velma Davis Visitor & Education Center.

Storytelling is available for schools and adults, based upon the readers.

"The McGuffey themes of character, conservation, citizenship, values and literacy are timeless," Scarsella said. "They still resonate with modern audiences."

Two DVDs have been produced by the historical society, detailing McGuffey's life and the wildlife preserve.

The historical society conducts a monthly program series, "Memories of a Lifetime," which is open to the public, at Kravitz Deli's meeting room on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown. Programs will resume in April after a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Scheduled program dates and speakers are:

• April 17 — Jackie Marino, author of "Car Bombs to Cookie Trays," will detail organized crime roots in the Mahoning Valley and describe unique social and cultural traditions of the area.
• May 15 — Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society curator of education, will explain Titanic sinking fact and lore, while connecting the ship to a prominent local family.
• June 19 — Bob Hannon, former WYTV sport anchor and longtime United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley president, will trace the agency's history, beginning with the "red feather" appeals, into the present era.

The programs start at 10 a.m., and reservations are suggested. Seating is limited due to social distancing. Walk-ins are welcomed and seated based upon availability.

Admission is $5 for historical society members and $6 dollars for nonmembers.

For more information or reservations, contact the historical society at 330-726-8277.

This story was originally published March 17, 2021 at 2:45 PM with the headline "All is well as McGuffey Historical Society celebrates 60th anniversary."