Calendar of Events:
On display at the Ward–Thomas
Museum is a collection of fans from
Margaret “Margo” Thomas Mills, daughter
of
Edward Morgan Thomas and Mary Jeanette Thomas.
December 7, 2024
Saturday 10:00 AM Business Meeting
All members are welcome to attend
December 14, 2024
McKinley Christmas
Saturday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Entertainment and refreshments will be provided at all
four sites
Niles school bus will transport visitors to each site
The Von Isley Estate will also have a craft show
Because tours of the Ward-Thomas House will be provided
during McKinley Christmas,
there will be NO open house
tours on the first Sunday of December
Veterans
Day
November 11, 2024, Monday
10:00-12:00 PM in Westenfield Room
Welcoming Veterans
The
Westenfield Room/Carriage House will be open on Veteran's
Day, November 11, from 10:00 am until noon. Coffee and
donuts will be provided. The military memorabilia the
Niles Historical Society has will be prominently displayed.
At
11:00 am a moment of silence will be observed in memory
of the men and women who have served our country, and
a short program will be presented by Ralph Tolbert on
how the streets were named in honor of the young men and
woman from Niles that were lost in World War I.
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.
Tours of the Ward-Thomas
Museum for groups will be scheduled as requested.
We have frequent requests for private tours from those
visiting the area, various organizations and church
groups.
Please call Sandy (330) 652-8329 or
Anna Marie (330) 719 -5716 to schedule a tour.
Newsletter:
The Society will gladly
publish stories of the accomplishments of current
or former residents of Niles.
Contact: Anna Marie Beagle ambgeb@aol.com
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Thank you!
We have met our goal for preserving the Whitehouse
Ladies gowns.
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Celebrating 161 Years
That is correct! I was born in 1862,
during the Civil War days. James Ward built me on this
little knoll and here I have been ever since in the town of Niles,
Ohio.
Mr. James Ward was an industrial
leader in Niles and came here in 1841 when only 300 people lived
here. He founded the Ward Iron Manufacturing Company and he and
his family lived in a house on Main Street (where the "Farmers
Bank" now stands).
Mr. Ward built me on the property on the south side of the Mahoning
River at 503 Brown Street. He used square nails, which were manufactured
in his factory to hold my boards together that were cut from trees
on the property. The double front doors were designed with windows
which could be opened to allow the north breeze to blow in and
race up the staircase in the main hall to cool the upper rooms
in the summer. Mrs. Ward's brother designed the frosted glass
panels in the door. He was a glass maker in Pittsburgh.
Look up at my decorative designs
on the porch and the cornices under the roof as you pass by. You
will not see any buildings like that today. Inside, the decorative
plaster mouldings in the ceiling are exquisite designs from a
hand carved wooden form. My walnut staircase in the main hall
is a thing of beauty also.
I have remained the way I was built with little change since 1862.
Well, they had to change a few things, such as the windows that
were low to the floor. They had to be raised for the placement
of radiators when they changed to hot water heat. Before then
they heated me with fireplaces in most every room. Of course changes
were made when they installed running water and electric wiring
into my walls too. There was a large 2 story "outdoor kitchen”
building at the back of my house that was removed in 1925. The
ladies would cook in there to prevent the open fires from burning
down the main house. It was a nice building to dry the clothes
in the winter, too.
John R. Thomas, founded the Niles Firebrick Company in 1871.
He and his wife, Margaret purchased my property in 1887. Members
of their family lived here till 1969, caring for me throughout
the years. I've had many people pass through my doors to enjoy
the hospitality of all the families that have lived here, even
Presidents of the United States have visited here.
I have seen a lot of things happen in the town of Niles, Ohio.
Yes, I've seen floods and tornadoes pass right by me, and here
I have stood for 150 years. In 1907 there was a flood and again
in 1913 another flood came close to my door. A tornado went through
in 1947 and another one in 1985. There has been a lot changes
in Niles through the years, and the people who take care of me
now are preserving that colorful story. They are the Niles Historical
Society volunteers and they renamed me "Ward-Thomas Museum".
Come visit me at 503 Brown Street in Niles, Ohio 44446 .
There will be people wandering all
through my 14 rooms which are filled with displays. It will take
you about 1 1/2 hours to tour the museum. I am always open on
the first Sunday of every month. Donation $5.00 for adults with
children under 12 free if accompanied by an adult.
See you on Sunday, at the public "Open House" 2-5 pm.
You may E-Mail
Us or call 330-544-2143 for more information
Or schedule a private tour.
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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
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