Ward
— Thomas Museum |
||
| E-Mail Us | Phone: 330.544.2143 | Mail: PO Box 368 Niles, Ohio 44446 |
Click on Links Below for Navigation
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Individual Membership: $20.00
Family Membership: $30.00
Patron Membership: $50.00
Business Membership: $100.00
Lifetime Membership: $500.00
Corporate Membership: Call
330.544.2143
Do you love the history of Niles, Ohio and want to preserve that history and memories of events for future generations?
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your donation is tax deductible. When you click on the Donate Button, you will be taken to a secure Website where your donation will entered and a receipt generated.
To Review the Constitution of The Niles Historical Society, Click Here
| Built in 1862, the Ward Thomas House was the home of two prominent Niles industrial families. James Ward, who built the house, was a pioneer in the iron industry in the Mahoning Valley. He built puddling plants, Falcon Nail and Iron Company and the Russia mill for manufacturing steel. The second
owners were John and Margaret Thomas who came
to this country from Wales. The Thomas family founded the Niles
Firebrick Company and later, Mahoning Valley Steel. The Thomas
family occupied the house until 1969 when the property was deeded
to the City of Niles. Through the efforts of Clare Westenfield,
a local attorney, the house became the home of the Niles Historical
Society. |
 |
| |
|
| The house is now a museum consisting of fourteen rooms, many furnished in the style of the period, some with furniture owned by the Thomas family and donated to the museum. The museum collection has more than 5000 items, including many from the two families. Throughout the museum, mannequins wear life size replicas of the White House ladies’ gowns displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.. |
 |
| Also on the five acre property are a recently restored barn and a 1925 green house as well a various gardens and 56 varieties of trees in the arboretum. Care of the house and gardens is done by volunteers and the house is decorated appropriately for each season. |  |
| Proceeding from the back porch of the Ward-Thomas house, a walk-way leads to a secondary building. This building is used as a workspace for the greenhouse. The
first Sunday of each month the Thomas House is open to the public
from 2 - 5 pm. Additional
guided tours may be arranged by contacting the Niles
Historical Society |
 |
| |
|
|
Niles Historical Society Monthly News:
The membership meeting of the society will be held on Saturday August 3 in the Westenfield room at 10:00 am, all are welcome to attend. The Niles Historical Society will hold its monthly open house of the Ward-Thomas House, 503 Brown Street, on Sunday, August 18, 2019 in conjunction with Heritage Days (11:00-5:00) and Wild Wheels Car Show (11:00-3:00). Heritage Days will feature historical materials and tours of the house, greenhouse and barn along with displays by local crafters, artisans and vendors. There will be activities for the children and music by DJ Ropper. Rick Muccio will be doing character drawings. 1:00 A musical performance by vocalist Amanda Beagle and her voice students. 2:00 Birds in Flight with Heather Merritt will have a demonstration. 3:00 Steel Valley Ukers' Ukelele Band will play. 4:00 Nick Spano speaking about Harry Stevens. Wild Wheels Car Show will showcase vintage and classic cars throughout the years and awards will be presented. Any crafters interested in participating may call 330-652-8329 while car entries may contact Dave Petrilla at 330-974-2341. Admission is by donation. Memberships Available: Society memberships may be obtained for $20.00 an individual and $30.00 for a family. All are welcome to join. Members receive the newsletter six times/year and free admission to the Ward-Thomas Museum when open on the first Sunday of the month. Gifts with a Niles' History connection. |
|
|
|
|
