Girard Historical Society

The Greek Revival Henry Barnhisel House, home of the Girard Historical Society, features the history of Girard from its earliest settlers to its influential families.

The home of Henry and Susan Barnhisel is one of the oldest remaining structures in Girard, Ohio. It carries links for the people of Girard to an early settler and to some of the most important families of Trumbull County.

At the turn of the twentieth century the house passed from the Barnhisel family to Joseph W. Smith. He patented the process of preparation of leather which started the Ohio Leather Company. His family and heirs held the house for the next six decades. Ohio Leather, which had stood opposite the house, was for many years the main employer in Girard.