Join us for our first live program of 2021!

Benny Shoults, Volunteer for the Delaware County Historical Society, will take you back to the City of Delaware, over one hundred forty years!

The program will cover a time from 1879 to 1934, “The Golden Era of Entertainment”. It will revolve around the once grand City Opera House in downtown Delaware as well as other Delaware entertainment venues. Attendees will hear the stories about the 1,050 seat auditorium which graced the second floor of City Hall. Celebrities who appeared here included John Philip Sousa who led his band in “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Others included Mark Twain, William McKinley, temperance advocate Carrie Nation, statesman William Jennings Bryan, Hollywood director Vincente Minnelli, “Ben Hur” author General Lew Wallace, and abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher.

This program will be held at the Barn at Stratford, 2690 Stratford Road, Delaware.

September 18th – 25th
Location: Delaware County Fair Grounds, Merchant Building
236 Pennsylvania Ave, Delaware, OH 43015

Stop by to see the Amazing display celebrating last year’s 75th Anniversary of the running of the Little Brown Jug Harness Horse Race.

Reenacted by Devon Hardwick and Bill Rietz, Society Volunteers

Sunday, October 3rd
1 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4 pm     Click for Details

This year’s fundraiser will feature a tour of the Historic Sheriff’s Residence and Jail, beginning at 5 pm.

After the tour, proceed to the events in the Barn at Stratford. Attendees will enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner, a cash bar, Brent Carson telling historic stories of crimes committed in Delaware, a live auction by Dan Boysel, music, and a visit from Elvis’s cousin – Pelvis! And the ever popular, Jeff Robinson will, once again, act as emcee.

Please join us as we celebrate (in person) our acquisition of the Historic Jail and plan for its restoration. All registrants will receive the opportunity to schedule their Historic Jail tour.

This event sold out in 2019, so don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this exciting event!

Tickets for this special event for are $50 per person. 

Learn the difference between Ghost Towns – Semi-Ghost Towns – Paper Towns – Old Towns

Rick Helwig, Director of the Center for Ghost Town Research in Ohio will be giving a presentation on the results of the Center’s research into the ghost towns of Ohio including some ghost towns, ghost stories. Special emphasis will be placed on Ghost Towns located in the Delaware County area.

The Center for Ghost Town Research in Ohio was created in 1976 by Rick’s father Richard. In 1987, it was moved to Sunbury Ohio. To date, the Center for Ghost Town Research in Ohio has identified over 6000 ghost towns throughout Ohio and has published 18 books on the Ghost Towns of Ohio including an edition on the Ghost Towns of Delaware County. Rick will sign copies of his book which will be available for purchase.

We ask that all attendees wear a facial mask to ensure the safety of our guests and volunteers.