Lakewood Lore

Junior Board members keep city’s history alive

There is a group of Lakewood women who still dress as did the pioneers of our community in the early 19th century, from long calico skirts to bonnets and muslin aprons.

For the past 26 years, they have hosted more than 68,000 guests, showing the tools used for spinning, weaving and quilting, and explaining how candles were dipped, butter churned and food prepared in a fireplace.

They are the volunteer costumed guides for the Oldest Stone House Museum in Lakewood Park, all of whom belong to the Junior Board reunion scheduled at the Nicholson House, the museum’s sister facility at 13335 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood, on Sept. 29.

“We hope to bring back as many as we can of the 204 who have been members of the Junior Board since its inception in 1964,” said Julie Forte, vice president of the organization.

“We are sending letters all over the country to track down everyone, and at this point have contacted all but 37.”

Easiest way to meet the Junior Board guides is to go to the museum at 14710 Lake Ave. during visiting hours, from 2-5 p.m., Wednesdays and Sundays, February through November. Admission is free.

“The guides’ activities, however, extend beyond service to visitors touring the museum,” explained Sandra Koozer, museum curator.

“Carrying McGuffey readers, they visit Lakewood’s classrooms as ‘school marms’ to teach pupils in the old-fashioned way.

“Each summer they assist with an Ohio Heritage program held at the museum, in which third-fourth-and fifth-graders are instructed in the chores and pastimes of pioneer children, such as making designs by punching nail holes in sheets of tin, grinding coffee by hand, beating rugs and polishing boots.”

They help the museum put together special displays and traveling trunk exhibits available upon request for use by libraries, schools, club groups and local businesses. These comprise many 100-year-old artifacts, such as stereoscopes, Ben Franklin eyeglasses, button shoes, derby hats and vintage games, dolls, fans, handbags, and valentines.

The guides also care for the herb garden behind the museum and are hostesses for tea parties at which members of local Brownie troops are shown the museum’s antique doll collection and are invited to bring their own favorite dolls to introduce to others.

“And by the way,” said Junior Board Vice President Forte, poising for a commercial. “We would love to increase our board’s current membership of 28. Anyone who might be interested in becoming a volunteer guide, or in otherwise participating, is most welcome.”

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post September 20, 1990. Reprinted with permission.

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