Marlboro Twp. historical group receives donation for 250th event in America

The Marlboro Township Historical Society received a grant to support its programming to celebrate America’s 250th birthday^th anniversary in 2026.

The group received a Trillium Local Activity Grant of America 250-Ohio Commission for his materials development project for the Dr. Kersey G. Thomas House in Marlboro Township.

The historical society will create the organization’s first exhibit, a curated multi-panel exhibit and slideshow telling the story of the home and office of Dr. Kersey G. Thomas. The exhibit will highlight Thomas and his wife, Dr. Eliza L. (Smith) Thomas, their unsung roles in abolitionist and antislavery activities in the region; regular association with prominent Quaker visionaries and radicals in the region; commitment and involvement in the women’s rights movement; and the use of the house as an innovative regional training ground for female doctors in the early era of female medical education.

“We are very pleased to begin developing exhibit materials,” said Vondea Sheaffer, president of the Marlboro Township Historical Society. “Marlboro’s role in abolitionist efforts and, more significantly, in educating women as doctors, is an important piece of Stark County and Ohio history. It’s unique and worth sharing.”

Trillium Local Activity Grants provide up to $5,000 for projects with local or community impact. These projects may include exhibits, interpretive panels, local commemorative programs or activities, local public events, educational and public programs, and smaller digital and documentary media projects.

The Marlboro Township agency was one of 61 grantees chosen from more than 170 applications statewide during the grant program’s spring 2024 funding cycle.

For more information about the Marlboro Township Historical Society, visit www.marlbortwphistorical.org. To learn more about the America 250-Ohio Commission grant program, visit America250-Ohio.org/grants/.

This article originally appeared on the Repository: Marlboro Twp. historical group receives donation for 250th event in America