Regular Business Meeting

Westenfield Room
Saturday January 10, 2026
10:00 AM

Open House
Sunday January 4, 2025
2:00 - 5:00 PM
Last tour at 4:00 PM

In honor of the 250th celebration of the United States, which will be observed in 2026, the Niles Historical Society will be displaying the replicated gowns of the First Ladies.These gowns were copied fifty years ago from the collection at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC during the Bicentennial and worn by various ladies of Niles.

After a year or two of programs locally and an exciting trip to Washington to visit the White House, most of the gowns were generously donated by the women who wore them, or their families.

The dresses will be displayed four at a time in chronological order every month during our regular Open House Tours. These are on the first Sunday of every month from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Private tours may also be arranged by calling (330) 544-2143.

We would like to thank our members for their generous donations which supported the cleaning, boxing and storage of all the First Ladies gowns.Your gifts made it possible for future generations to enjoy these beautiful dresses for many years come. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we received more donations than we had gowns. The donations of those who did not sponsor a specific dress, will still be gratefully employed to continue to store the dresses in ideal climate controlled storage.

January begins with Martha Washington, worn by Carmen Rinaldi and generously sponsored by Dave and Thelma Snyder.

Abigail Adams, worn by Eloise Berline and generously sponsored by The Spence Family.

Martha Jefferson Randolph, worn by Anne Townley and generously sponsored by Christine Macnamara.

Dolley Madison, worn by Jo Reese and generously sponsored by Nicholas and Brenda Chieffo.

Try one of the many Niles Historical books.

Books vary in price.

Sample of book content

'A Pictorial History of the Buildings of Niles Ohio'

Over 200 pages and
400 high resolution photographs

To order your book call: Sandy at: 330.652.8329
Niles Historical Society Office at: 330.544.2143

or Email Us

Price: $40.00 local pickup or $45.00 shipped

To save on shipping costs, all of the listed books are available for purchase at any Ward-Thomas Museum open house.
Shipping/Mailing costs are $5.00 for each book ordered.

Please make checks out to: Niles Historical Society
Send your name, address and phone number, and check to cover costs to:

Niles Historical Society
P. O. 368
Niles, Ohio 44446

The Niles Historical Society mission is to preserve and promote Niles history and share that history with the community.

Click here to join or renew your Niles Historical Society membership.

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 1924 green house as well a various gardens and numerous 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.

When first built, carriages would stop at this main entrance to the Ward–Thomas house.

The first Sunday of each month the Thomas House is open to the public from 2–5 pm.

The last tour begins at 4:00 pm and ends at 5:00 pm.

Additional guided tours may be arranged by contacting the Niles Historical Society
or calling: 330.544.2143.

Tour the Buildings and Garden

Ward–Thomas House Tour

1924 Green House Tour