Kidron Community Historical Society

13153 Emerson Rd., PO Box 234, Kidron 44636; 330-857-9111
Hours: June-Sept., Th-Sat 11AM-3PM; Oct-May, Th and Sat 11AM-3PM; closed Jan and Feb; small groups by appointment.

The nationally acclaimed Kidron-Sonnenberg Heritage Center is operated by the historical society and documents the history of the Kidron-area Mennonite Anabaptists. On display are furniture, tools, arts and crafts, books, an extensive Fraktur collection, and textiles. The society contains more than one million Swiss Mennonite, German Mennonite, and Amish names.

Orrville Historical Museum

142 Depot St., PO Box 437, Orrville 44667 Judge Smith Orr House: 365 W. Market St., Orrville 44667; 330-683-8327 Museum
Hours: 2nd Su., 1-4PM (except Dec) and every Wed 9AM-Noon for acquisitions and browsing.

A museum full of rich Orrville history, local family antiques, and other Orrville artifacts can be found in the former Manhattan Restaurant. Also on display are industry and advertising memorabilia from The J.M. Smucker Company established in 1897, and an 1876 Reed Organ donated by Schantz Organ Company in Orrville, founded in 1873. The museum also maintains the former home of Judge Smith Orr, the founder of the city.

Smithville Community Historical Society

381 E. Main St., PO Box 12, Smithville 44677; 330- 669-9308
Hours: All buildings open for Summer Open House 2nd and 4th Su., May -Sept., 1-4PM; Christmas in Pioneer Village, Dec 4th and 11th 6-8PM, Dec 5th and 12th 1-4PM

Four sites are now available for tours directed by the Smithville Community Historical Society. These include Mishler Mill from the 1880s where weavers offer demonstrations; the Pioneer Log Cabin from the 1830s; the two story Sheller House, a log cabin from the mid-19th century including a carriage barn, antique farm and agricultural implements; and a blacksmith shop. A visitors center displays camera and quilt collections.

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