Wayne County’s past takes center stage at library history event

Community interest in local history was on full display recently as residents gathered at the Wayne County Public Library for a local history event that brought together historical organizations, genealogists and volunteers dedicated to preserving the county’s heritage.

The event featured representatives from several area historical societies as well as members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), whose work in historic preservation, education and patriotism has long intersected with the kind of community storytelling that libraries and local historians strive to preserve.

Acknowledging the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, representatives from historical societies from across Wayne County met with visitors and shared stories unique to their areas.

Members of the DAR’s Wooster-Wayne chapter shared information about the organization’s efforts to preserve early American history.

“Our mission focuses on historic preservation, education and patriotism,” said Robbin Christman, regent of the Wooster-Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. “It’s about preserving the history of those who helped create the country we live in today.”

DAR work often includes identifying and restoring historic burial sites, particularly those associated with soldiers of the American Revolution. Volunteers research early records, locate grave sites and work with communities to ensure the contributions of early patriots are remembered.

“Much of the work involves genealogy research, tracing family lines and historical records to confirm whether someone buried in Wayne County served in the Revolutionary War,” said Cheryl Abernathy, a professional genealogist and member of the Wooster-Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Events like this recent gathering highlight the partnership between libraries and historical organizations. The Wayne County Public Library provides access to research tools and historical records, while groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and local historical societies help interpret and preserve those stories for future generations.

“We have had a steady flow of people come through our doors today for this event, and it’s exciting to see people come out and take an interest in local history,” said Deb Kitko, genealogy librarian at the Wayne County Public Library. “Events like this give historical societies a chance to showcase what they do and help people discover the stories of their own communities.”

For future America 250 events at the Wayne County Public Library, visit www.wcpl.info. To learn more about the DAR, visit www.dar.org.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.