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Ward — Thomas Museum
Home of the Niles Historical Society
503 Brown Street Niles, Ohio 44446

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E-Mail Us Phone: 330.544.2143

Mail: PO Box 368 Niles, Ohio 44446


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


Niles Register Masthead


The Niles Register is the official newsletter of the Niles Historical Society and is published six times/yearly.


To view samples of a full newsletter and directions on becoming a member of the Niles Historical Society, click here


Do you love the history of Niles, Ohio and want to preserve that history and memories of events for future generations?

Click here to donate:

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.


 



Read or Download:

Niles Historical Society
5-Year Strategic Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends of the Niles Historical Society,

As you know, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is rapidly approaching. In addition to this important date, the Niles First Ladies Gowns are approaching the 50th anniversary of their creation.

In 1976, in order to honor the Bicentennial, some of the ladies of Niles formed an organization to recreate the First Ladies Gowns that were in the Smithsonian collection.
The gowns were all locally made and sewn after many painstaking drawings, photos and visits were made to Washington DC in order to ensure absolute accuracy.

After the gowns were made, they were modeled and displayed in many venues around the area, and the ladies even went back to Washington DC to model the dresses there.

The Niles Historical Society is incredibly fortunate to have been given most of the First Ladies Gowns. In order to put this in perspective, Niles is the only community in the Unites States to have a life sized collection of these gowns, outside of the Smithsonian National Museum. But as all things age and deteriorate, the gowns have also, and as they approach their 50th year, the Niles Historical Society is asking for your help.

We are asking you to sponsor a First Ladies Gown. This would entail paying for the cleaning, mending where necessary, and storage of the dresses. A one-time fee of $100.00 will ensure your sponsorship of one of the dresses. When the dress is displayed, as we hope they all will be between now and 2026, your name and/or your family name will be prominently displayed with the dress.

Please take some time to consider this opportunity. If you are interested, please fill out the form below, enclose it with your check and mail it to:

The Niles Historical Society
PO Box 368
Niles, Ohio 44446.

As we work together to preserve the past for the future, we appreciate your generous support.

Sincerely,
Meredith Elliott
Niles Historical Society


 

I/we would like to sponsor a First Ladies Gown.
Enclosed please find a $100.00 donation for the cleaning and preserving of one of the gowns.

Name_____________________________________________

Address___________________________________________

Phone #___________________________________________

Since the Niles Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 34-1276513) and no goods or services are provided for donations, your donation is fully tax deductible.

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.


 

To view an electronic file of this form, click here.

 

Please save/print and share this form with any family or friends that may want to help preserve the White House Ladies' gowns.

Create an email and attach the file or print the form and share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

Ladies of White House displayed in the

Ladies of White House displayed in the
Ward–Thomas House parlor,
Portrayed are Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Tyler

White House Ladies Gowns displayed in the

White House Ladies Gowns displayed in the
Ward–Thomas House library.

White House Ladies Gowns displayed in the

White House Ladies Gowns displayed in the
Ward–Thomas House library.

Close-up detail of White House Gown.

Close-up detail of White House Gown.

Rose DeJute as Mrs. Ida McKinley with Ladies of the White House dresses.

Rose DeJute as Mrs. Ida McKinley with Ladies of the White House dresses.
Taken at Washington DC.

The dress is heavy white satin with rose point lace throughout the bodice and the over skirt embroidered with rhinestones and pearls.

A studio portrait of Lucille Bassett who portryed Lucretia Randolph Garfield in her Inaugural Ball gown during the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.

A studio portrait of Lucille Bassett who portryed Lucretia Randolph Garfield in her Inaugural Ball gown during the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.


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.

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

 

 

 



1924 Green House

 


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