Our History
A page showing members from the Isaac Smucker Scrapbook, “The Licking County Pioneer, Historical and Antiquarian Society.”
The Licking County Pioneer, Historical, and Antiquarian Society was our community's first historical society, which formed in May of 1867. The group met in the basement of the courthouse, keeping records in a secretary's book. Much of what we know of early Licking County history comes from these records. No one seems sure when this first society disbanded, but another would not emerge until September 2, 1947.
The Licking County Historical Society's first meeting was held in Trinity Parrish. A motion was made to transfer the $6 in funds from the inactive original society to the newly established group. On October 2, 1947, the Articles of Incorporation were signed by some of the society's first trustees: Clarence Jones, Corrine Metz, Isaac Smucker, Shirley Webb, and Frank Woolson. The witnesses were Laura Beggs, Roderic Jones, and Robbins Hunter, Jr. A constitutional code was written thereafter, requiring membership.
In December 1947, plans were in place to move Licking County's most architecturally prominent residence, the Davidson house, to Veterans' Park as a house museum. Mr. Fred Lazarus donated not only the house, but also gave $500 toward moving the structure from Park National Bank's current location to the Sixth Street Park. Enough money was raised, and the house officially opened as a museum in 1952 during Licking County's sesquicentennial.
To be saved from demolition, the historic Buckingham Meeting House was also moved to the park in 1954. Abandoned for many years, LCHS was able to purchase it for just one dollar. The Society raised funds to restore it and opened it as a meeting house in 1967.
One of the Licking County Historical Society's founding members, Shirley Webb, willed her Granville Street home and its contents to the Society to be used as a museum. The Webb House became the next addition in 1976.
In 1981, historian and LCHS supporter Robbins Hunter, Jr. bequeathed his Granville residence to the society to also be used as a museum.
The Licking County Historical Society obtained its most recent historic site in 1991 when it gained jurisdiction over the prehistoric Alligator Mound, located in Granville.
Our Staff
HOWARD LONG | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
hlong@lchsohio.org
Howard moved to Fairfield County in January 2017 to take over as CEO of the Robert K. Family YMCA. Howard has been a part of the YMCA family for over 34 years. Howard retired in April and joined the Licking County Historical Society soon after. History has always been a passion as long as I can remember. This new adventure will give me that opportunity to explore and learn new things.
Donna Gregory| Office Manager
dgregory@lchsohio.org
Donna is a lifelong resident of Licking County. She was employed by RR Donnelly for 21 years until she decided to branch out to sales. After a short career selling commercial printing, she made the career switch to selling new home construction for area builders. In 2013 she obtained her real estate license and began her career as an Independent Real Estate Agent/Realtor. Donna joined the LCHS in December of 2021 as office manager, bringing her experience in office managment and sales along with her knowledge of Licking County and its residents.
Tommy Sue Adam | Office Administrator
letmedoit8@gmail.com
Board of Trustees Officers
Denise Keefe, President
Dee is a life-long resident of Central Ohio and has spent the last 27 years in the Licking County area. She was a Marketing Coordinator for a Cable TV company for 21 years until she decided to became a local Realtor® specializing in listing properties. Dee and her husband, Jeff, have spent over 26 years performing as historical re-enactors focusing on the era of 1750 to 1840.
Area of expertise: Early American history
DKEEFEC21@GMAIL.COM
Ryan Meldahl, Vice-President
Whit Tussing, Secretary
Whitney (Whit) is an Architect and retired college professor with a long interest in local history and architecture. He has family roots in Licking County but lives on an 1840’s farm in Perry County. He graduated from Miami University with a Master of Architecture degree and began his career at several local architectural offices progressing to the Engineering Department at Central Ohio Technical College becoming a program director and professor of Architectural Engineering Technology. Whit has maintained a small architectural practice focusing on Historic preservation and residential projects.
Donna Yeager, Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Clint Eskins
Clint Eskins is a Sergeant with the Newark Division of Police and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Clint has worked for the City of Newark since 2002 and has been a lifelong area resident. He currently lives in Newark with his wife and three children.
Area(s) of expertise: local history, American history, history of law enforcement and military history.
Evan Daverio
Evan is a graduate of Duquesne University, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Public History in May of 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a minor in Political Science from The Ohio State University-Newark. As an Ohio State student, he was a LeFevre Scholarship recipient and worked on various projects with the Newark Earthworks Center. He has worked and interned in historical roles at Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Heinz History Center, Fort Pitt Museum, and The Works, among others. He currently volunteers for Flint Ridge State Memorial.
Area(s) of expertise: Oral history, Early American history, Native American history
![Dustin Neely - Head Shot Photo[151].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a82696df43b558a48e578b4/1608050962595-1Y7S1U935I3AQSW62PBH/Dustin+Neely+-+Head+Shot+Photo%5B151%5D.JPG)
Dustin Neely
Dustin is a lifelong resident of Newark, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Dustin was a law enforcement officer for 17 years, and is now a Licensed Insurance Agent locally. In his spare time, he enjoys upland hunting, training his birddog “Winston” and reading.
Area(s) of expertise: Revolutionary War, Founding Fathers, Winston Churchill, World War II