🔎 Investigations in Columbus History

Investigations in Columbus History is dedicated to the memory Cathy D. Nelson, a longtime local historian and elementary social studies educator. 

Cathy was an educator in Columbus City Schools for 35 years. After a success classroom career, Cathy served for many years as the Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for the District. In this capacity, she led the History Works II project to strengthen elementary teachers' content knowledge and practices of teaching with primary sources. She also brought the Social Studies Alive! program to the District to increase student engagement in the study of the past. 

In addition to her work with schools, Cathy was a local historian and popular speaker. She founded the Friends of Freedom Society, an organization devoted to the study and preservation of the Underground Railroad. As a speaker for the Ohio Humanities Council, Cathy traveled the state, speaking on the topics of the Underground Railroad and women's suffrage. 

We hope this project is a fitting tribute to Cathy's legacy of inspiring elementary teachers to teach local history for the common good, and to bring awareness of the past to the general public.