Presentation Topics
Behave Yourself! Etiquette of the Ballroom see description below
The Big-Little Violin: History of the Cello
Body Snatching and Grave Robbing in 19th Century Ohio see description below
​
Civil War Medicine
​
Dairy Farming in the Western Reserve
​
Freemasons During the Civil War
​
History of Tourism in the Firelands
​
The Language of Flowers
​
McClellan and Treason, or Lincoln and Reunion! see description below
Mid-19th Century Clothing
Mid-19th Century Cooking and Baking
Ohio's Lost Amusement Parks see description below
​
Parlor Games
​
Parlor Music
​
Path to Women's Suffrage
​
Retracing the Lake Shore Electric Railway see description below
Surveying and Mapping of the Western Reserve see description below
​
Behave Yourself! Etiquette of the Ballroom
Presenter: John Rys
Duration: 1 hour
An overview of proper behavior in the ballrooms of the Civil War era, with an emphasis on those items useful to the re-enactor. One’s behavior at social functions was important to Victorian ladies and gentlemen and no function typified this as much as a ball. Some rules of etiquette we may consider ridiculous today, but there are many we can use, not only for our enjoyment, but also to upgrade our impressions.
Body Snatching and Grave Robbing in 19th Century Ohio
Presenter: Doug Hulett
Duration: 1 hour
Grave robbery and disinterring bodies is often associated with Ancient Egypt and medieval Europe. Entombed possessions, such as gold, silver, jewels, and other valuable artifacts were often stolen from the grave and sold on the black market. However, tomb raiding has a much darker and licentious history. The act of secretly and illicitly removing corpses from their final resting places, known as body snatching, has also been common practice throughout history. Exhumed cadavers were typically sold and used for educational purposes and for medical research. Grave robbing and body snatching continued into the late-19th Century, and was widely prevalent throughout the United States, including Ohio. This presentation will dissect the motives, uncover the victims and unmask the perpetrators. Were any famous bodies in Ohio snatched? Who was committing these acts? Learn more at our next presentation!
Surveying and Mapping of the Western Reserve
Presenter: Brian George
Duration: 1 hour
In 1786, the state of Connecticut ceded all but 3.4-million-acres of its western land claims to the federal government. Known as Connecticut's "Western Reserve," the retained lands included much of north-central and northeast Ohio. But what was Connecticut to do with unknown territory over 500 miles away? The rugged, forested, and unchartered lands were not instantly available for settlement, no roads led to the area, and the Treaty of Greenville restricted activity in its western half for ten years. Learn about the survey teams that traversed and measured the wild and foreign terrain of northeast Ohio and the survey methods they employed to put lines and place names on the map.
McClellan and Treason, or Lincoln and Reunion!
Presenter: John Rys
Duration: 1 hour
An original speech promoting the reelection of Abraham Lincoln in 1864, in the style of that time period (performed by North Coast Narrative member, John Rys). Includes an introductory summary of the presidential election of 1864.
Ohio's Lost Amusement Parks
Presenter: Brian George
Duration: 1 hour
Cedar Point and Kings Island are recognized as global destinations for thrill seekers, roller coaster junkies, and families looking for summer fun and enjoyment. However, long before record-breaking speeds and season passes, Ohio boasted a plethora of quaint picnic groves, popular trolley parks, and fun-filled amusement venues. This presentation will dive hands-up into Ohio amusement park roots and history, and queue through the turnstiles of a few of the more popular parks of pleasure's past, including Euclid Beach Park, Crystal Beach Park, Idora Park, and more!
Retracing the Lake Shore Electric Railway
Presenter: Brian George
Duration: 1 hour
The Lake Shore Electric Railway was once regarded as the "greatest electric interurban in the country." It operated from 1901 to 1938 between Cleveland and Toledo, by way of Lorain, Sandusky, Norwalk, and Fremont. While the rails are long gone, many vestiges remain scattered along its former route, including bridge abutments, right-of-way terrain, and buildings. This presentation talks about how the Lake Shore Electric influenced transportation, recreation, urban development, and the economy, and explores where to find many of its remnants in today's landscape.