How
to Schedule a Tour of the Ward - Thomas Museum.
With the price of gas going up and people trying
to find things to do close to home, may we suggest, visiting your
local historical home. It is interesting how many people in Niles
have never been inside the McKinley Memorial Library building,
let alone our Ward-Thomas museum.
People travel all over the world looking for
interesting places to visit, and here in their own home town,
sits one of the most beautiful museums in the country. The Ward-Thomas
Museum exists because caring people have volunteered to create
it. It holds over 5,000 items in the 14 rooms and it takes over
an hour just to walk through. If you take your time, you could
spend hours and still not see everything.
I once asked a Niles man, who has traveled the
world, why he never visited our museum. He said, “I guess
because it will always be there.” “No, it will not”,
I answered him. If no one visits and donates money to support
it, the Ward-Thomas Museum will fade away like everything else
in town”.
Remember we are open for public tours on the
first Sunday of every month from 2-5 pm. However, we are more
than glad to open the doors just for you, if you call ahead and
schedule a tour time. Just E-Mail
Us or call the office, 330-544-2143 and
leave your name and phone number. We will return your email or
call and schedule a tour.
Sample piece of 19th Century bedroom
set
on the second floor of the Ward-Thomas Museum
Newsletter:
The Society will gladly publish
stories of the accomplishments of current or former residents
of Niles. Contact: Anna Marie Beagle 330.719.5716 or
ambgeb@aol.com
Update on the Ward-Thomas
property:
The Westenfield Room, the old carriage house, which serves as
a meeting space has been renovated and is now open again. The
improvements include: proper insulation, painting, flooring and
temperature – humidity control.
Advisory Committee sought:
It is necessary to form a committee to determine the direction
to take with the monies in the New Building Fund account that
was begun in 2011. The Society requires an improved space for
education, research and storage of the collection. At this time
there is not adequate space or temperature and humidity control
to accept any more physical donations.
There is a proposed rendition for
a facility that would be expensive to build and maintain. The
amount of money in this fund is not adequate to cover the expense
of this lofty plan. The Board of the Society seeks input from
members on how to best use the building fund monies to provide
an improved space.
I implore members to weigh in on
this discussion. Average attendance at meetings is approximately
ten members who should not be making this enormous decision for
an organization with over three hundred members.
Please contact Anna Marie Beagle at 330-719-5716 or ambgeb@aol.com
for further discussion.
Thank you, Anna Marie Beagle,
President.
Tour
the Buildings and Garden

Ward-Thomas
House

1924 Green
House
|
Calendar
of Events
May 2023
Free
Family Day Event
The Niles Historical
Society is hosting
Family Day Saturday, May 6, 2023
at the Ward–Thomas Museum
503 Brown Street 10AM-2PM
The event is
sponsored by the
Trumbull County Historical Society.
At least nine historical societies in Trumbull
County will present displays, stories
and activities for all to enjoy.
Children will
be encouraged to try their hands at
“old time” games and will be treated
with prizes.
Refreshments
will be provided.
The Ward–Thomas Museum will be open for
tours.
Due to this
event, there will be no open house on Sunday
May 7.
A
membership drive is currently being held.
The yearly membership
drive is underway with fees of $20 for individuals,
$30 for families, $50 for patron level, $100
for businesses and organizations and $500 for
life memberships. Memberships support the society's
programs and includes the bimonthly newsletter.
For more information
call:
Sandy at (330)
652–8329 or
Anna Marie at (330) 856–8274.
Please leave a message and we will contact you.
Newsletter:
The Society
will gladly publish stories of the accomplishments
of current or former residents of Niles.
Contact: Anna Marie Beagle ambgeb@aol.com
A membership drive
is
currently being held.
Memberships Available:
The yearly membership drive
is underway with fees of $20 for individuals, $30 for families,
$50 for patron level, $100 for businesses and organizations
and $500 for life memberships. Memberships support the society's
programs and includes the bimonthly newsletter.
For more information call:
Sandy at (330) 652–8329
or
Anna Marie at (330) 856–8274.
Please leave a message and we will contact you.
Gift Ideas:
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. Click
on link below:
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
Thank You
|