McCook House preparing for another season of history and events

The McCook House Museum and Heritage Center is preparing to open another season of programs, exhibits and community events as site manager Kathleen Horn enters her sixth year overseeing the historic Carrollton landmark.

Horn said preparations for the season are already underway at the museum, located at 15 Second St. in Carrollton, with volunteers helping complete cleaning, painting and exhibit work before summer activities begin.

“There is much cleaning to do; mannequins to dress, painting this year, and a flower bed needing attention,” Horn said. “My dear friend Vickie Caldwell volunteers and helps me with the preparations. My calendar will be crowded now until October.”

Horn said she became involved with the McCook House after discussing her retirement with Carroll County Historical Society President Jennifer Cramer.

“She mentioned the part-time position available at the museum,” Horn said. “I had known Martha Jones for years and had met Shirley Anderson. I admired them both. What an honor it would be to follow in their footsteps.”

Horn said she believed the museum would benefit from expanded exhibits and activities and accepted the challenge of managing the site.

Now entering her sixth season, Horn described the work as rewarding but demanding.

“Wonderful, frustrating, hard work at times, but always interesting,” she said. “Most of all, I love the interaction with the visitors.”

Horn also credited members of the Carroll County Historical Society and volunteers for helping maintain the museum and grounds.

“If there’s a need, they have an answer,” Horn said of the support she receives from society members and volunteers.

The museum, owned by the Ohio History Connection, continues to host programs throughout the year focused on local history, the Civil War and the legacy of the Fighting McCooks.

Horn said one of her favorite additions to the museum is a bedroom display featuring a poster bed once owned by Alexander and Katie McCook.

“New acquisitions can mean better displays,” she said.

She also spoke about enjoying a novel written by Henry Christopher McCook, nephew of Daniel McCook, describing it as reading “like a Daniel Boone book.”

Horn said she hopes visitors leave the museum with a greater appreciation for both the McCook family and the history of Carrollton.

“We need to appreciate the town we live in and the people who invested themselves to make it what it is today,” Horn said. “I like to call them ‘Movers and Shakers.’”

The museum currently features an exhibit honoring Joyce Hannon of Bluebird Farm.

Horn said school visits continue to be one of the highlights of the museum season.

“It’s very exciting to have them come,” she said of visiting students. “They are so enthusiastic about the artifacts and the stories. We had nearly 120 of them on the 18th.”

This year’s event schedule includes a Victorian Tea June 13 featuring tea expert Kurt Gibbons of the Ohio Tea Company. Guests will sample a variety of teas while learning more about tea culture and Victorian traditions during the event, which will be held on the museum’s patio, weather permitting.

A July 11 presentation will feature author Mark Dawidziak discussing Mark Twain’s connections to Ohio while sharing excerpts from Twain’s writings.

The annual McCook Bazaar is scheduled for Aug. 8 and will include a rummage sale, bake sale, complimentary ice cream sundaes, bluegrass and gospel music and other activities on the museum grounds.

Carrollton historian Carl Winters will lead a historical “Walkabout Town” program Sept. 12, sharing stories and information about historic downtown Carrollton buildings and their connections to local history.

McCook History Day will be held Sept. 19 and will include reenactors, historical presentations and the planting of a commemorative tree honoring the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. The event will also feature Eddie Murphy portraying Sojourner Truth, presentations on Revolutionary War and Civil War history and music by the Sweet Pickin’s dulcimer band.

The museum’s annual Christmas tree event, “Unveiling of the Trees,” is scheduled for Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 4-5, featuring decorated trees throughout the historic home and model train displays operated by train enthusiast Austin Brodzinski.

The McCook House Museum is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12 and free for children age 5 and under. Members of the Ohio History Connection and Carroll County Historical Society receive free admission.

Most programs are free and open to the public, though some events require reservations due to limited seating.