Our sincere appreciation to Professor John Reed, Mrs. Susan Cohen, Bill Drown, and others who contributed information. It is hoped that the revival of interest in the United Methodist Historical Society (of Ohio) as it reaches its 150th year will result in the development of a detailed and authoritative history.
### Western Historical Society
In 1839, at a time when the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio was only three decades old and still struggling on a frontier, a group of Methodist ministers from Ohio incorporated the Western Methodist Historical Society in Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve an area bounded by the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers.
In those earlier years, the Society succeeded well and collected together a considerable amount of materials for the History of Methodism. These included a number of valuable manuscripts never published, old documents, and books. In addition, there were 98 volumes of priceless files of periodicals, all strongly bound and in good order.
In 1849, the will of Rev. James B. Finley called the Society, "the Ohio Methodist Historical Society."
### Ohio Methodist Historical Society
Across the years, the Society has had periods of activity and periods of inactivity. In December 1858, a letter was written by Samuel Williams proposing the work of the Society be centered at Ohio Wesleyan University. The Society met in 1859 and adopted a constitution closely modeled after the earlier Society. Article 11 specified that the "archives of this Society shall be preserved in the Library of the Ohio Wesleyan University." This was agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the University and the Board of Managers of the Society. The Society met at the University Commencement time and again until 1889 when it became dormant.
The collection grew slowly. It was reported in 1897 there were 136 volumes, not including manuscripts or periodicals.
### Renewed Activity
A new charter was signed on January 17, 1911, with Richard T. Stevenson, Russell B. Miller, Wm. McBrackney, E.E. McCammon, and W.W. Davis. A new charter was granted on January 20, 1911.
Each of the three Conferences (Ohio, West Ohio, and Cincinnati) had in the meantime formed regional historical libraries. In May 1927, Prof. Miller met with Reverend Dr. W.A. Courtenay, Reverend Dr. Merrick Ketcham, and Reverend Dr. Foster Anderson, who merged into the Methodist Historical Society in 1928.
Further encouragement was given by the gift of the family of Samuel Wesley Williams of six thousand volumes (including a number of duplicates) of Methodist History. His father had been secretary of the Western Methodist Historical Society.
The archival collection of the Society migrated around the campus as space was needed, including Sturges Library, Edgar Hall, and Slocum Library Seminar Rooms. During World War II, the entire collection was boxed up and placed on the lowest level of Slocum Library.
### Out From Obscurity
Efforts to bring the collection out and secure space were initiated in the mid-fifties when Assistant Professor John Reed and Professor John Herrold Lancaster reestablished the collection. Meantime, the Ohio Conference had begun increasing financial support for the archives. Professor Lancaster was named the Archivist and John Reed, Assistant. In 1963, John Reed became Archivist and guiding hand of the Society.
The collection became an effective research tool for local churches, students at Ohio Wesleyan, the theological schools, and scholars nationwide. Annual workshops were established by Professor Reed for the local church historians as well as encouraging the preservation of history.
# History of the United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (1989-2014)
by James R. Barbee
## Preface
The existing history of the Society was written by Rev. Marvin Bean, long-time Historian of the West Ohio Conference (WOC) and its predecessor conferences. It covers the period from the inception of the Western Methodist Historical Society in 1839 until 1989, the year the Society celebrated its 150th anniversary. This is an update of that history being done for the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the founding. A few corrections have been found in Rev. Marvin Bean's original "History". These corrections are shown using [ ].
While it is not my intention to include the events covered by Rev. Bean, I have chosen to "back up" to the year 1986 because of the significance of Society activities and decisions made during that year. I am indebted to our Archivist Carol Holliger for writing a Historical Preface to the Society Constitution in 2013 (this preface was updated currently with this writing) for the benefit of the Executive Committee during their consideration of possible revisions to the Society Constitution and By-Laws. I also offer thanks for her assistance in providing necessary documents for my own research for this update. Carol also provided the timeline (see pp. 11-13).
## Transition in Leadership
Professor Reed retired in 1985, and Kathleen Weibel became Librarian and Curator. Susan Cohen served as the Archivist for the collection.
## Cooperative Administration
A Joint "Ad Hoc Committee" met for four years and developed a cooperative plan of administration. This plan has been approved by the Trustees of the West Ohio Conference, and action by the University Trustees is pending.
## Transfer of Collection to Conference
The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, over a period of two years, developed a special task force which made a number of recommendations to the Society. Based on these recommendations, all items of the Society were transferred by Bill of Sale to the Board of Trustees of the West Ohio Conference to ensure continuity of care and ownership in relation to The United Methodist Church at large.
## Officers
There are many who have served as officers of the Society over the years. Recent officers include:
• Millard Mead
• Mary Miller
• Karl Bucey
• John Reed
• Don Trigg
• Bill Goff
• Louise Morrison
• Archie Thomas
• Marvin D. Bean
and many others.
Research and Rediscovery
While doing the research for the timeline, Carol Holliger discovered that a short time prior to the Society's founding, James B. Finley wrote a letter to the Western Christian Advocate in which he proposed "...to form a society in your city, to be called the 'Historical Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Valley of the West,' or some such name...."
The Western Christian Advocate was a publication of the Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) General Conference. It was published in Cincinnati from about 1834 until about 1929 with news about Methodism as the movement spread westward. Finley was one of the most well-known of all the M.E. circuit riders in Ohio. So it appears that Finley's letter (see Appendix) provided the impetus for the formation of the Western Methodist Historical Society, which was founded in Cincinnati just a few weeks after his letter appeared.
After a period of time, the Society went through a dormant stage. In 1858-59, primarily through the efforts of Samuel Williams, the Society was resurrected. In a letter (see Appendix) to the President and faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU), Williams proposed that OWU become the repository for the historical material being collected and preserved.
I also want to acknowledge the assistance of William Drown, EOC Historian and former Archivist and Rev. Don Trigg, Chair of the EOC Commission on Archives & History. Both of these men have been very active in the Society for many years, including the period covered by this update.
1986 Ad Hoc Study Committee
At the 1986 Annual Meeting on April 26th, the Society created an Ad Hoc Study Committee to review Society activities and make recommendations for changes in the Society's operations. The report was presented at a Special Meeting of the Society held on October 25, 1986, at the Church of the Master UMC in Westerville, OH. The report of the Ad Hoc committee was approved as amended at the special meeting. At that meeting the following changes were approved:
1. Continuation of the UMHSO with the basic emphasis to be on an annual workshop on the last Saturday of April.
2. Revision to the constitution with proper notice to the membership.
3. Transfer of Society-owned material housed in the OWU Archives to the Trustees of the WOC. At that time, the EOC had separate archives at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, OH.
4. Permissive establishment recognizing the uniqueness of Ohio; in that, within the State of Ohio, there are two United Methodist Conferences - EOC and WOC. This action permits each of the two Ohio Conferences to organize their own historical Society in accordance with the requirements of the United Methodist Book of Discipline if desired.
Changes in WOC United Methodist Archives Center
Concurrently with the transfer of ownership of the UMHSO archival material to the WOC Trustees (1989), a formal agreement was established between the WOC and the OWU regarding the proper preservation of the archived material at the West Ohio United Methodist Archives Center. An Archives Center Review Committee was established to oversee the operation of the Archives. The committee had a representative from the WOC Trustees, two representatives from the WOC Commission on Archives & History, and four representatives from OWU. Susan Cohen served as Curator for the West Ohio collection from 1986 until shortly before her death from cancer at age 47 on January 23, 2003.
Changes in EOC United Methodist Archives Center
In 1998, the archival material owned by the EOC was moved from Baldwin Wallace College (Ritter Library) due to lack of sufficient space. The material was temporarily relocated to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) under the continuing care of EOC Archivist Bill Drown. In 2000, the EOC Commission on Archives & History was notified that MTSO was planning improvements that would necessitate the EOC collection to be vacated by May 2002. Negotiations then began between OWU and the two conferences concerning a possible merger of EOC and WOC collections at OWU. The proposed merger was approved in principle at the 2001 East Ohio Annual Conference.
Archives of Ohio United Methodism
In the summer of 2002, an official agreement, "Statement on the Archives of Ohio United Methodism," was signed by representatives from OWU, the WOC, and the EOC, creating the combined archival collections of both conferences under the new name Archives of Ohio United Methodism (AOUM). The West Ohio Archives Review Committee was restructured by this agreement to include representation from EOC and was renamed the Joint Archives Committee. To accommodate the influx of EOC material, the Special Collections department at OWU's Beeghly Library was enlarged. Shortly thereafter, the EOC archival collection was moved from MTSO to OWU. Carol Holliger was named Archivist for the newly merged AOUM in July of 2003.
Reading Room
The L.A. Beeghly Family Special Collections Reading Room provides a dedicated space outside the "cage," where researchers using all three of the Special Collections (the OWU Historical Collection, the Rare Books Collection, and AOUM) at the library can securely and comfortably use materials from the archives. It fulfills a longtime dream by the archivists, the library staff, and others on the two commissions.
A capital campaign between the two conferences and OWU had been envisioned and already had the approval of the resident bishops of the EOC and WOC. However, the family of L.A. Beeghly decided to provide the necessary funds for the room - hence the name.
The room was dedicated on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Participants in the dedication included Rev. Bruce Ough, Resident Bishop of WOC; Rev. Gary George, representing Rev. John Hopkins, Resident Bishop of EOC; Rev. Dr. Rock Jones, President of OWU; Dr. David Robbins, provost of OWU; and Carol Holliger, Archivist of AOUM. Mr. John Reed, former OWU Special Collections librarian, was in attendance and shared memories. Also participating were OWU Chaplain Jon Powers, Rev. Don Trigg (Chair of the EOC Commission on Archives & History), and James Barbee (Chair of the WOC Commission on Archives & History).
Ongoing Activities
Refer to the Timeline (see Appendix) for recent changes in Society operations and policies. Highlights include the initiation of Life Memberships, publication of the Historian's Newsletter, Historian of the Year Awards, and a new Society website.
The Executive Committee chooses yearly themes and selects speakers and workshop leaders for the convocation. For many years, the day of the Annual Meeting included speakers and workshops in addition to the business meeting. In 2007, the Society began to call the day the "Annual Meeting and Convocation," recognizing it for what it had been for some time. With the establishment of the conference Commissions on Archives & History, the tasks of collection and preservation of archival material and records are the responsibility of the EOC and WOC Commissions, per the Book of Discipline. Thus, the primary purpose of the Society is now education, promotion, and encouragement of Local Church Historians. This is reflected in the themes and workshop topics at the Annual Meeting and Convocation, by recognizing a Historian of the Year for each conference, and by recognizing churches celebrating significant anniversaries in each conference.
Changes in the Constitution, primarily to reflect the changes in the purpose of the Society and the definition and policy of Life Memberships, will be proposed to the Society by the Executive Committee at the 2014 business meeting on April 26th.
James R. Barbee is Chair of the WOC Commission on Archives & History and Historian of the Broad Street UMC in Columbus, Ohio. Rev. Marvin Bean Dr. Sarah Blair - WOC Historian Bill Drown - EOC Historian
OMHS Timeline
• 1838: James B. Finley writes a letter to the Western Christian Advocate proposing "Historical Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Valley of the West," published Jan. 11, 1839.
• 1839: Western Methodist Historical Society of Cincinnati founded on January 25, 1839, at Ninth Street Church.
• 1842: Ohio Wesleyan University was founded.
• 1858: Samuel Williams, secretary of the defunct Western Methodist Historical Society, writes a letter to OWU Trustees proposing the reorganization of the Society at OWU, to be known as the Ohio Methodist Historical Society.
• 1859: Ohio Methodist Historical Society was organized in Delaware, on June 6, 1859. The Constitution of the Western Methodist Historical Society was rewritten as the basis for the new Society constitution. The purpose is "to procure, collect, and preserve all the necessary and suitable materials for a complete and authentic history of the Methodist Episcopal Church within the State of Ohio." Article II states that "The Archives of this Society shall be preserved in the library of the Ohio Wesleyan University." Collection of 104 volumes (most in the hands of Williams) moves from Cincinnati to Sturges Library. The Society requests a separate alcove in the library for the collection, granted by OWU Trustees. The first president of the Society is OWU President Edward Thomson.
• 1884: In June, a meeting is called to reorganize the Society. Professor W.F. Whitlock, librarian of OWU, is appointed custodian of the books & papers belonging to the Society.
• 1888: Society becomes dormant.
• 1898: Slocum Library dedicated.
• 1907: Dr. Russell B. Miller becomes Librarian at OWU.
• 1909: Librarian Russell B. Miller collects books, photos, manuscripts, letters (once in the Methodist Historical Alcove at Sturges) from several Slocum Library locations and co-locates them for safekeeping. Invites interested parties to a meeting to reorganize Society.
• 1911: New charter for the Society signed January 17, 1911, granted January 20, 1911. Incorporated with the state of Ohio as Ohio Methodist Historical Society.
• 1919: Society again goes into dormancy following death of Professor of History R.T. Stevenson, President of the Society. Librarian Russell B. Miller gathers consulting committee from all three Ohio Conferences - West Ohio, Ohio, North-East Ohio. Recommended that the Ohio Methodist Historical Society and individual conference historical societies merge into one society, the Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, under the leadership of a board made up of three members of each conference. Request to OWU Board of Trustees for a "separate room" for the collection. Unification of all Methodist Historical Societies in Ohio.
• 1927: Librarian Russell B. Miller gathers a consulting committee from all three Ohio Conferences - West Ohio, Ohio, North-East Ohio. It is recommended that the Ohio Methodist Historical Society and individual conference historical societies merge into one society, the Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, under the leadership of a board
• 1928: Large donation (6000 volumes) from estate of Samuel Wesley Williams, son of Samuel Williams. Initially stored in basement of old Sturges Library until cataloguers could catalog items.
• 1928: Membership fee of $1.00, sustaining membership $5.00; life membership $50
• 1929: Dr. Russell B. Miller begins to organize Ohio Methodist Historical Room in Slocum Library (third floor west seminar room)
• 1930: Cataloged Samuel W. Williams books placed in Ohio Methodist Historical Room at Slocum Library along with earlier Society material deposited by his father in 1859.
• 1937: Dr. Russell B. Miller retires as Librarian at OWU
• 1942: During WW II, collection boxed up and placed in basement of Slocum Library
• 1950: Ohio Conference begins contributing funds to support Archives
• 1955: Collection reestablished by John Reed (Reference Librarian at the time) and John Herrold Lancaster (OWU Librarian)
• 1956: Ohio Conference Historical Society publishes booklet "What's in Your Attic?"
• 1966: Collection moved from Slocum Library to new Beeghly Library
• 1966: Methodist Historical Sites in Ohio folder/map published
• 1966: John Reed becomes Supervisor of Reference & Special Collections
• 1968: John Reed becomes University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian
• 1971: West Ohio and East Ohio A & H Commissions join together to form a merged Society - The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio
• 1971: United Methodist Heritage Tour of England sponsored by Society, November 1-10, 1971
• 1973: United Methodist Heritage and Reformation Tour sponsored by Society, October 7-18, 1973
• 1975: UMHSO logo and letterhead approved, indicating United Methodist Archives Center in Delaware as corporation headquarters (rather than West Ohio Conference offices)
• 1975: United Methodist Heritage Tour of England and Ireland, Oct 5-18, 1975, sponsored by UMHSO
• 1976: Official name change to United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio with state of Ohio, new charter
• 1976: UMHSO hosts North Central Jurisdictional A & H Bicentennial Convocation at Marietta
• 1976: United Methodist Historic Sites in Ohio folder/map published including sites from our predecessor denominations
• 1981: First edition of Historian's Newsletter (prototype) produced by John Reed
• 1984: United Methodist Historic Sites in Ohio booklet published (Bicentennial logo on cover)
• 1984: John Reed retires as University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian
• 1985: New Curator of United Methodist Archives, Kathleen Weibel (also Director of Libraries)
• 1985: Kathleen Weibel agrees that library will reproduce the newsletter, John Reed produce, Millard Mead address and mail
• 1986: Constitution revised October 25, 1986
• 1986: Special Study Committee was organized April 26, 1986, to review Society activities. October 25, 1986, Constitutional Revision meeting held - Study Committee report issued and approved --a) continue UMHSO with emphasis on annual workshop the last Saturday of April b) transfer Society owned materials to Trustees of West Ohio Conference c) permissive establishment clause - though we keep the UMHSO (two conference body), Individual Ohio conferences may also organize their own historical societies. (Discipline favors a one conference society) NOTE: East Ohio Conference has separate archival collection at Baldwin-Wallace College
• 1986: Susan Cohen becomes Associate Curator (January 1, 1986)
• 1987: Official transfer of UMHSO materials located at OWU to Trustees of West Ohio Conference completed April 21, 1987
• 1989: 150th UMHSO Anniversary booklet published
• 1989: Ad hoc committee plan for Archives management approved by West Ohio Trustees and OWU Trustees; Archives Center Review Committee established to oversee West Ohio United Methodist Archives Center (two members from WOC A & H and four from OWU).
• 1989: April 22, 1989 - 150th UMHSO anniversary celebrated at William Street UMC. Churches having at least 150 years of service were honored.
• 1990: The first issue of Historian's Newsletter published (March 1990)
• 1990: Historian of the Year award created, one from each Conference - First recipients, East Ohio Ruth Craig, West Ohio Phyllis Miller
• 1990: Susan Cohen was promoted from Associate Curator to Curator in July (Kathleen Weibel no longer Director of Libraries).
Here's a summary of the additional information you provided regarding the United Methodist Historical Society:
• 1992: Life Membership Program established at $100, allowing individuals, local churches, or groups to purchase lifetime memberships. Encouraged participation to honor those active in the Historical Society or local church historians.
• 1992: Constitutional Updates revised in April 1992.
• 1992: First Life Membership Granted Awarded on May 31, 1992, to Rev. Millard W. Mead by the Galion St. Mark congregation during his retirement party.
• 1993: Decision to recognize churches celebrating 150, 175, and 200 years at the annual meeting.
• 1994: Sponsorship of NCJ A & H Convocation: In 1994, the United Methodist Historical Society sponsored the NCJ (North Central Jurisdiction) Arts and Humanities Convocation at Ohio Wesleyan University, bringing together East, West, and UMHSO.
• 2020 and 2021: UMHSO Convocation canceled due to COVID pandemic.
• 2023: Official name changed to Ohio Methodist Historical Society (OMHS) to offer broader appeal: Include all Methodist denominations, not just The United Methodist Church (UMC). This widens the membership pool and fosters a more inclusive historical perspective. New website https://www.ohiomhs.org/
• 2024: OWU decided to plan to build a new library and archives were not included in the plans. Archives moved to MTSO at the direction of West and East Ohio Conference.
### Western Historical Society
In 1839, at a time when the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio was only three decades old and still struggling on a frontier, a group of Methodist ministers from Ohio incorporated the Western Methodist Historical Society in Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve an area bounded by the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers.
In those earlier years, the Society succeeded well and collected together a considerable amount of materials for the History of Methodism. These included a number of valuable manuscripts never published, old documents, and books. In addition, there were 98 volumes of priceless files of periodicals, all strongly bound and in good order.
In 1849, the will of Rev. James B. Finley called the Society, "the Ohio Methodist Historical Society."
### Ohio Methodist Historical Society
Across the years, the Society has had periods of activity and periods of inactivity. In December 1858, a letter was written by Samuel Williams proposing the work of the Society be centered at Ohio Wesleyan University. The Society met in 1859 and adopted a constitution closely modeled after the earlier Society. Article 11 specified that the "archives of this Society shall be preserved in the Library of the Ohio Wesleyan University." This was agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the University and the Board of Managers of the Society. The Society met at the University Commencement time and again until 1889 when it became dormant.
The collection grew slowly. It was reported in 1897 there were 136 volumes, not including manuscripts or periodicals.
### Renewed Activity
A new charter was signed on January 17, 1911, with Richard T. Stevenson, Russell B. Miller, Wm. McBrackney, E.E. McCammon, and W.W. Davis. A new charter was granted on January 20, 1911.
Each of the three Conferences (Ohio, West Ohio, and Cincinnati) had in the meantime formed regional historical libraries. In May 1927, Prof. Miller met with Reverend Dr. W.A. Courtenay, Reverend Dr. Merrick Ketcham, and Reverend Dr. Foster Anderson, who merged into the Methodist Historical Society in 1928.
Further encouragement was given by the gift of the family of Samuel Wesley Williams of six thousand volumes (including a number of duplicates) of Methodist History. His father had been secretary of the Western Methodist Historical Society.
The archival collection of the Society migrated around the campus as space was needed, including Sturges Library, Edgar Hall, and Slocum Library Seminar Rooms. During World War II, the entire collection was boxed up and placed on the lowest level of Slocum Library.
### Out From Obscurity
Efforts to bring the collection out and secure space were initiated in the mid-fifties when Assistant Professor John Reed and Professor John Herrold Lancaster reestablished the collection. Meantime, the Ohio Conference had begun increasing financial support for the archives. Professor Lancaster was named the Archivist and John Reed, Assistant. In 1963, John Reed became Archivist and guiding hand of the Society.
The collection became an effective research tool for local churches, students at Ohio Wesleyan, the theological schools, and scholars nationwide. Annual workshops were established by Professor Reed for the local church historians as well as encouraging the preservation of history.
# History of the United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (1989-2014)
by James R. Barbee
## Preface
The existing history of the Society was written by Rev. Marvin Bean, long-time Historian of the West Ohio Conference (WOC) and its predecessor conferences. It covers the period from the inception of the Western Methodist Historical Society in 1839 until 1989, the year the Society celebrated its 150th anniversary. This is an update of that history being done for the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the founding. A few corrections have been found in Rev. Marvin Bean's original "History". These corrections are shown using [ ].
While it is not my intention to include the events covered by Rev. Bean, I have chosen to "back up" to the year 1986 because of the significance of Society activities and decisions made during that year. I am indebted to our Archivist Carol Holliger for writing a Historical Preface to the Society Constitution in 2013 (this preface was updated currently with this writing) for the benefit of the Executive Committee during their consideration of possible revisions to the Society Constitution and By-Laws. I also offer thanks for her assistance in providing necessary documents for my own research for this update. Carol also provided the timeline (see pp. 11-13).
## Transition in Leadership
Professor Reed retired in 1985, and Kathleen Weibel became Librarian and Curator. Susan Cohen served as the Archivist for the collection.
## Cooperative Administration
A Joint "Ad Hoc Committee" met for four years and developed a cooperative plan of administration. This plan has been approved by the Trustees of the West Ohio Conference, and action by the University Trustees is pending.
## Transfer of Collection to Conference
The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, over a period of two years, developed a special task force which made a number of recommendations to the Society. Based on these recommendations, all items of the Society were transferred by Bill of Sale to the Board of Trustees of the West Ohio Conference to ensure continuity of care and ownership in relation to The United Methodist Church at large.
## Officers
There are many who have served as officers of the Society over the years. Recent officers include:
• Millard Mead
• Mary Miller
• Karl Bucey
• John Reed
• Don Trigg
• Bill Goff
• Louise Morrison
• Archie Thomas
• Marvin D. Bean
and many others.
Research and Rediscovery
While doing the research for the timeline, Carol Holliger discovered that a short time prior to the Society's founding, James B. Finley wrote a letter to the Western Christian Advocate in which he proposed "...to form a society in your city, to be called the 'Historical Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Valley of the West,' or some such name...."
The Western Christian Advocate was a publication of the Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) General Conference. It was published in Cincinnati from about 1834 until about 1929 with news about Methodism as the movement spread westward. Finley was one of the most well-known of all the M.E. circuit riders in Ohio. So it appears that Finley's letter (see Appendix) provided the impetus for the formation of the Western Methodist Historical Society, which was founded in Cincinnati just a few weeks after his letter appeared.
After a period of time, the Society went through a dormant stage. In 1858-59, primarily through the efforts of Samuel Williams, the Society was resurrected. In a letter (see Appendix) to the President and faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU), Williams proposed that OWU become the repository for the historical material being collected and preserved.
I also want to acknowledge the assistance of William Drown, EOC Historian and former Archivist and Rev. Don Trigg, Chair of the EOC Commission on Archives & History. Both of these men have been very active in the Society for many years, including the period covered by this update.
1986 Ad Hoc Study Committee
At the 1986 Annual Meeting on April 26th, the Society created an Ad Hoc Study Committee to review Society activities and make recommendations for changes in the Society's operations. The report was presented at a Special Meeting of the Society held on October 25, 1986, at the Church of the Master UMC in Westerville, OH. The report of the Ad Hoc committee was approved as amended at the special meeting. At that meeting the following changes were approved:
1. Continuation of the UMHSO with the basic emphasis to be on an annual workshop on the last Saturday of April.
2. Revision to the constitution with proper notice to the membership.
3. Transfer of Society-owned material housed in the OWU Archives to the Trustees of the WOC. At that time, the EOC had separate archives at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, OH.
4. Permissive establishment recognizing the uniqueness of Ohio; in that, within the State of Ohio, there are two United Methodist Conferences - EOC and WOC. This action permits each of the two Ohio Conferences to organize their own historical Society in accordance with the requirements of the United Methodist Book of Discipline if desired.
Changes in WOC United Methodist Archives Center
Concurrently with the transfer of ownership of the UMHSO archival material to the WOC Trustees (1989), a formal agreement was established between the WOC and the OWU regarding the proper preservation of the archived material at the West Ohio United Methodist Archives Center. An Archives Center Review Committee was established to oversee the operation of the Archives. The committee had a representative from the WOC Trustees, two representatives from the WOC Commission on Archives & History, and four representatives from OWU. Susan Cohen served as Curator for the West Ohio collection from 1986 until shortly before her death from cancer at age 47 on January 23, 2003.
Changes in EOC United Methodist Archives Center
In 1998, the archival material owned by the EOC was moved from Baldwin Wallace College (Ritter Library) due to lack of sufficient space. The material was temporarily relocated to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) under the continuing care of EOC Archivist Bill Drown. In 2000, the EOC Commission on Archives & History was notified that MTSO was planning improvements that would necessitate the EOC collection to be vacated by May 2002. Negotiations then began between OWU and the two conferences concerning a possible merger of EOC and WOC collections at OWU. The proposed merger was approved in principle at the 2001 East Ohio Annual Conference.
Archives of Ohio United Methodism
In the summer of 2002, an official agreement, "Statement on the Archives of Ohio United Methodism," was signed by representatives from OWU, the WOC, and the EOC, creating the combined archival collections of both conferences under the new name Archives of Ohio United Methodism (AOUM). The West Ohio Archives Review Committee was restructured by this agreement to include representation from EOC and was renamed the Joint Archives Committee. To accommodate the influx of EOC material, the Special Collections department at OWU's Beeghly Library was enlarged. Shortly thereafter, the EOC archival collection was moved from MTSO to OWU. Carol Holliger was named Archivist for the newly merged AOUM in July of 2003.
Reading Room
The L.A. Beeghly Family Special Collections Reading Room provides a dedicated space outside the "cage," where researchers using all three of the Special Collections (the OWU Historical Collection, the Rare Books Collection, and AOUM) at the library can securely and comfortably use materials from the archives. It fulfills a longtime dream by the archivists, the library staff, and others on the two commissions.
A capital campaign between the two conferences and OWU had been envisioned and already had the approval of the resident bishops of the EOC and WOC. However, the family of L.A. Beeghly decided to provide the necessary funds for the room - hence the name.
The room was dedicated on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Participants in the dedication included Rev. Bruce Ough, Resident Bishop of WOC; Rev. Gary George, representing Rev. John Hopkins, Resident Bishop of EOC; Rev. Dr. Rock Jones, President of OWU; Dr. David Robbins, provost of OWU; and Carol Holliger, Archivist of AOUM. Mr. John Reed, former OWU Special Collections librarian, was in attendance and shared memories. Also participating were OWU Chaplain Jon Powers, Rev. Don Trigg (Chair of the EOC Commission on Archives & History), and James Barbee (Chair of the WOC Commission on Archives & History).
Ongoing Activities
Refer to the Timeline (see Appendix) for recent changes in Society operations and policies. Highlights include the initiation of Life Memberships, publication of the Historian's Newsletter, Historian of the Year Awards, and a new Society website.
The Executive Committee chooses yearly themes and selects speakers and workshop leaders for the convocation. For many years, the day of the Annual Meeting included speakers and workshops in addition to the business meeting. In 2007, the Society began to call the day the "Annual Meeting and Convocation," recognizing it for what it had been for some time. With the establishment of the conference Commissions on Archives & History, the tasks of collection and preservation of archival material and records are the responsibility of the EOC and WOC Commissions, per the Book of Discipline. Thus, the primary purpose of the Society is now education, promotion, and encouragement of Local Church Historians. This is reflected in the themes and workshop topics at the Annual Meeting and Convocation, by recognizing a Historian of the Year for each conference, and by recognizing churches celebrating significant anniversaries in each conference.
Changes in the Constitution, primarily to reflect the changes in the purpose of the Society and the definition and policy of Life Memberships, will be proposed to the Society by the Executive Committee at the 2014 business meeting on April 26th.
James R. Barbee is Chair of the WOC Commission on Archives & History and Historian of the Broad Street UMC in Columbus, Ohio. Rev. Marvin Bean Dr. Sarah Blair - WOC Historian Bill Drown - EOC Historian
OMHS Timeline
• 1838: James B. Finley writes a letter to the Western Christian Advocate proposing "Historical Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Valley of the West," published Jan. 11, 1839.
• 1839: Western Methodist Historical Society of Cincinnati founded on January 25, 1839, at Ninth Street Church.
• 1842: Ohio Wesleyan University was founded.
• 1858: Samuel Williams, secretary of the defunct Western Methodist Historical Society, writes a letter to OWU Trustees proposing the reorganization of the Society at OWU, to be known as the Ohio Methodist Historical Society.
• 1859: Ohio Methodist Historical Society was organized in Delaware, on June 6, 1859. The Constitution of the Western Methodist Historical Society was rewritten as the basis for the new Society constitution. The purpose is "to procure, collect, and preserve all the necessary and suitable materials for a complete and authentic history of the Methodist Episcopal Church within the State of Ohio." Article II states that "The Archives of this Society shall be preserved in the library of the Ohio Wesleyan University." Collection of 104 volumes (most in the hands of Williams) moves from Cincinnati to Sturges Library. The Society requests a separate alcove in the library for the collection, granted by OWU Trustees. The first president of the Society is OWU President Edward Thomson.
• 1884: In June, a meeting is called to reorganize the Society. Professor W.F. Whitlock, librarian of OWU, is appointed custodian of the books & papers belonging to the Society.
• 1888: Society becomes dormant.
• 1898: Slocum Library dedicated.
• 1907: Dr. Russell B. Miller becomes Librarian at OWU.
• 1909: Librarian Russell B. Miller collects books, photos, manuscripts, letters (once in the Methodist Historical Alcove at Sturges) from several Slocum Library locations and co-locates them for safekeeping. Invites interested parties to a meeting to reorganize Society.
• 1911: New charter for the Society signed January 17, 1911, granted January 20, 1911. Incorporated with the state of Ohio as Ohio Methodist Historical Society.
• 1919: Society again goes into dormancy following death of Professor of History R.T. Stevenson, President of the Society. Librarian Russell B. Miller gathers consulting committee from all three Ohio Conferences - West Ohio, Ohio, North-East Ohio. Recommended that the Ohio Methodist Historical Society and individual conference historical societies merge into one society, the Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, under the leadership of a board made up of three members of each conference. Request to OWU Board of Trustees for a "separate room" for the collection. Unification of all Methodist Historical Societies in Ohio.
• 1927: Librarian Russell B. Miller gathers a consulting committee from all three Ohio Conferences - West Ohio, Ohio, North-East Ohio. It is recommended that the Ohio Methodist Historical Society and individual conference historical societies merge into one society, the Methodist Historical Society of Ohio, under the leadership of a board
• 1928: Large donation (6000 volumes) from estate of Samuel Wesley Williams, son of Samuel Williams. Initially stored in basement of old Sturges Library until cataloguers could catalog items.
• 1928: Membership fee of $1.00, sustaining membership $5.00; life membership $50
• 1929: Dr. Russell B. Miller begins to organize Ohio Methodist Historical Room in Slocum Library (third floor west seminar room)
• 1930: Cataloged Samuel W. Williams books placed in Ohio Methodist Historical Room at Slocum Library along with earlier Society material deposited by his father in 1859.
• 1937: Dr. Russell B. Miller retires as Librarian at OWU
• 1942: During WW II, collection boxed up and placed in basement of Slocum Library
• 1950: Ohio Conference begins contributing funds to support Archives
• 1955: Collection reestablished by John Reed (Reference Librarian at the time) and John Herrold Lancaster (OWU Librarian)
• 1956: Ohio Conference Historical Society publishes booklet "What's in Your Attic?"
• 1966: Collection moved from Slocum Library to new Beeghly Library
• 1966: Methodist Historical Sites in Ohio folder/map published
• 1966: John Reed becomes Supervisor of Reference & Special Collections
• 1968: John Reed becomes University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian
• 1971: West Ohio and East Ohio A & H Commissions join together to form a merged Society - The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio
• 1971: United Methodist Heritage Tour of England sponsored by Society, November 1-10, 1971
• 1973: United Methodist Heritage and Reformation Tour sponsored by Society, October 7-18, 1973
• 1975: UMHSO logo and letterhead approved, indicating United Methodist Archives Center in Delaware as corporation headquarters (rather than West Ohio Conference offices)
• 1975: United Methodist Heritage Tour of England and Ireland, Oct 5-18, 1975, sponsored by UMHSO
• 1976: Official name change to United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio with state of Ohio, new charter
• 1976: UMHSO hosts North Central Jurisdictional A & H Bicentennial Convocation at Marietta
• 1976: United Methodist Historic Sites in Ohio folder/map published including sites from our predecessor denominations
• 1981: First edition of Historian's Newsletter (prototype) produced by John Reed
• 1984: United Methodist Historic Sites in Ohio booklet published (Bicentennial logo on cover)
• 1984: John Reed retires as University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian
• 1985: New Curator of United Methodist Archives, Kathleen Weibel (also Director of Libraries)
• 1985: Kathleen Weibel agrees that library will reproduce the newsletter, John Reed produce, Millard Mead address and mail
• 1986: Constitution revised October 25, 1986
• 1986: Special Study Committee was organized April 26, 1986, to review Society activities. October 25, 1986, Constitutional Revision meeting held - Study Committee report issued and approved --a) continue UMHSO with emphasis on annual workshop the last Saturday of April b) transfer Society owned materials to Trustees of West Ohio Conference c) permissive establishment clause - though we keep the UMHSO (two conference body), Individual Ohio conferences may also organize their own historical societies. (Discipline favors a one conference society) NOTE: East Ohio Conference has separate archival collection at Baldwin-Wallace College
• 1986: Susan Cohen becomes Associate Curator (January 1, 1986)
• 1987: Official transfer of UMHSO materials located at OWU to Trustees of West Ohio Conference completed April 21, 1987
• 1989: 150th UMHSO Anniversary booklet published
• 1989: Ad hoc committee plan for Archives management approved by West Ohio Trustees and OWU Trustees; Archives Center Review Committee established to oversee West Ohio United Methodist Archives Center (two members from WOC A & H and four from OWU).
• 1989: April 22, 1989 - 150th UMHSO anniversary celebrated at William Street UMC. Churches having at least 150 years of service were honored.
• 1990: The first issue of Historian's Newsletter published (March 1990)
• 1990: Historian of the Year award created, one from each Conference - First recipients, East Ohio Ruth Craig, West Ohio Phyllis Miller
• 1990: Susan Cohen was promoted from Associate Curator to Curator in July (Kathleen Weibel no longer Director of Libraries).
Here's a summary of the additional information you provided regarding the United Methodist Historical Society:
• 1992: Life Membership Program established at $100, allowing individuals, local churches, or groups to purchase lifetime memberships. Encouraged participation to honor those active in the Historical Society or local church historians.
• 1992: Constitutional Updates revised in April 1992.
• 1992: First Life Membership Granted Awarded on May 31, 1992, to Rev. Millard W. Mead by the Galion St. Mark congregation during his retirement party.
• 1993: Decision to recognize churches celebrating 150, 175, and 200 years at the annual meeting.
• 1994: Sponsorship of NCJ A & H Convocation: In 1994, the United Methodist Historical Society sponsored the NCJ (North Central Jurisdiction) Arts and Humanities Convocation at Ohio Wesleyan University, bringing together East, West, and UMHSO.
• 2020 and 2021: UMHSO Convocation canceled due to COVID pandemic.
• 2023: Official name changed to Ohio Methodist Historical Society (OMHS) to offer broader appeal: Include all Methodist denominations, not just The United Methodist Church (UMC). This widens the membership pool and fosters a more inclusive historical perspective. New website https://www.ohiomhs.org/
• 2024: OWU decided to plan to build a new library and archives were not included in the plans. Archives moved to MTSO at the direction of West and East Ohio Conference.