Box 4, Minutes of the Dayton Historical Society, 1897-1905: Manuscript.
1897-1905
In this box are the minutes of the Dayton Historical Society.
June 1902
In this box are the records of relics in the Log Cabin.
January, 1945
The Newcom Tavern or Old Cabin… (author unknown, but the name of Mrs. Adam Schantz is written in the upper left hand corner): manuscript.
The Newcom Tavern: typescript, by Charles F. Sullivan, November 26, 1943.
A Brief History of Montgomery County Court House: typescript, by Russell A. Martin, March 5, l941.
Most of this correspondence is from or to Miles Standish Kuhns.
August 24, 1921
From Laura Enyart, Celina, Ohio to the janitor of Newcom Tavern.
Ms. Enyart had visited the Newcom Tavern and while there she pulled a piece of linen thread from the spinning wheel to show the family what the old fashioned linen threads look like; she felt bad for doing so and is returning the sample.
August 17, 1932
From Frances Parrott, Dayton, Ohio.
Miss Parrott suggests to Mr. Kuhns individuals that she thinks would be good in serving as society officers.
August 19, 1932
To Frances Parrott.
Mr. M. S. Kuhns is willing to talk with Miss Parrott and wants her to come to his office.
August 23, 1932
To Mr. Walter B. Kern, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns asks Mr. Kern to return the books that had the by-laws of the Society. Mr. Kern's father, Albert Kern, was the last secretary before the reorganization of the Society.
August 26, 1932
From Ms. Frances Parrott.
Miss Parrott apparently had offered to be press secretary for the Society but after thinking it over she suggests that a Publicity Committee would be preferable.
September 1, 1932
To Dr. C. B. Galbreath, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs Dr. Galbreath that, after many years, the Society is reorganizing. Also, he explains the Society's ownership of the Old Log Cabin in Van Cleve Park. He gives additional information on the background of the building and the listing of the elected officers of the Society.
September 7, 1932
From S. C. Britton
Miss Britton, Chair of the Y Forum, invites Mr. Kuhns to attend a presentation September 12, at 12:00 on "What a Student Saw in Germany."
September 9, 1932
To Dr. C. B. Galbreath, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns extends an invitation to Dr. Galbreath to give a talk to the Dayton Historical Society on "Washington in the Ohio Country." The Society also needs advice on the Log Cabin.
September 17, 1932
To the Dayton Postmaster.
Mr. Kuhns is asking that all mail be directed to the Dayton Historical Society.
September 23, 1932
A meeting notice announcing the presentation to be given by Dr. C. B. Galbreath at Newcom Tavern, September 27, 4:00 p.m.
September 25, 1932
From Dr. C. B. Galbreath, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Galbreath informs Mr. Kuhns about his travel plans to Dayton.
September 26, 1932
To Dr. C. B. Galbreath, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns confirms that Dr. Galbreath is coming to Newcom Tavern on September 27, at 4:00 p.m.
October 13, 1932
From Dr. C. B. Galbreath.
He asks Mr. Kuhns for the full name and address of Mrs. McKnight with whom he wants to consult regarding some more documents in her possession.
On the back of this letter:
October 14, 1932
Reply of Mr. Kuhns giving the name and address of Mrs. McKnight.
December 1, 1932
To Dr. Harlow Lindley, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns is sending Dr. Lindley his travel expenses for a trip to Dayton to address the Society.
February 15, 1933
To Mr. Frederick Eichelberger, City Manager, Dayton, Ohio.
The question as to the ownership of the Newcom Tavern has come up at the Executive Committee meeting of the Society and Mr. Kuhns is trying to clarify this for insurance reasons.
February 21, 1933
To A. H. Dunham, Secretary of the Dayton Historical Society.
Mr. Kuhns has enclosed an answer from Mr. Eichelberger pertaining to the ownership of Newcom Tavern. Apparently it belongs to the city. Mr. Kuhns would like the city to have the legal title, but allow the Dayton Historical Society to manage it.
March 7, 1933
To the Honorable A. D. Hosterman, Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns invites Mr. Hosterman to give a talk on "Ohio Revolutionary Tales" at the Old Court House, March 29th, 4:00 p.m. Mr. Hosterman is Chairman of the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission.
March 9, 1933
From A. D. Hosterman, Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Hosterman visited Cuba and talks about the economic situation over there that is worse than in the U.S. He accepts the invitation to give a talk to the Society but says that it would be better to talk on "Ohio - 200 Years Old - 2002." However, he is open to suggestions.
March 10, 1933
To Frances Parrott.
(Author unknown but may be Miles S. Kuhns). This letter gives information on the background and knowledge of Mr. Hosterman.
March 10, 1933
To the Honorable A. D. Hosterman.
Mr. Kuhns is thanking Mr. Hosterman for accepting the invitation for March 28 to read the paper on "Ohio - 200 Years Old - 2002."
March 26, 1933
From Frances Parrott.
Miss Parrott, Chair of the Activities Committee, suggests to Mr. Kuhns that the Dayton Historical Society have its meetings in the evening in fairness to members who cannot come in the afternoon.
June 14, 1933
From Mr. Hosterman.
He wants to know if Miles S. Kuhns will be attending a pageant scheduled for next Sunday at 2:00 p.m. He wants to have a conference with any commissioners that attend.
June 23, 1933
From Mr. Hosterman.
Mr. Hosterman is calling a special meeting of the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. in Springfield, to consider the Park Development plan submitted by Mr. Frye.
On the opposite page:
June 22, l933
To Mr. Hosterman.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mr. Hosterman that he is unable to attend the meeting.
July 14, 1933
To William M. Pettit.
Mr. Kuhns, Vice Chair of the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission (ORMC) explains the significance of the development of a park on Valley Pike between Dayton and Springfield. The Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission has developed a plan to develop a public park with a road way, a ten acre lake and many other features and will seek money from the Federal Work Projects Administration. This will be a joint project of Dayton and Springfield and it will give employment opportunity to people in the area and also be a public playground in a historic area. The park referred to is presumably the George Rogers Clark State Park.
Attached:
July 14, 1933
To Mr. A. D. Hosterman.
Mr. Kuhns is providing a list to the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission of Dayton citizens willing to support the project by serving on the Dayton Coordinating Committee.
July 25, 1933
From Eugene S. Kennedy.
Mr. Kennedy was asked to help draft a constitution for the Society, and he forgot to assist Miles S. Kuhns in this on time for the regular meeting to be held today. He thinks he gave a copy of his draft to Miss Parrott. He apologizes for not submitting this earlier.
August 29, 1933
From unknown person to Dr. Harlow Lindley, Columbus, Ohio.
This person is on the committee for writing a constitution and by-laws for developing the Dayton Historical Society into the Montgomery County Historical Society. He asks for samples of constitutions used by other societies and for suggestions.
August 30, 1933
From Harlow Lindley.
Mr. Lindley, Curator of History for the Ohio Archaeological Historical Society, replies to Mr. Kuhns and sends him copies of forms that he prepared for constitutions for local societies. He agrees that a county society is more logical and believes that county societies are essential for good work on the part of the state.
November 1, 1933
To Mr. Eugene G. Kennedy.
Mr. Kuhns is enclosing a copy of the Constitution of the Dayton Historical Society as adopted on October 31, 1933 to Mr. Kennedy, Vice President of the Dayton Historical Society.
November 1, 1933
The same letter as above was sent to Mrs. Dunham, to be entered into the records of the Dayton Historical Society.
November 5, 1933
From Mrs. C. A. Dille to the Historical Society.
Mrs. Dille is unable to renew her membership for 1933-34.
February 15, 1934
Letter from the Board of Trustees of the Dayton Historical Society to the City Commissioners of the City of Dayton and Mr. F. O. Eichelberger, City Manager.
The Dayton Historical Society is making an application for a lease on the land containing the Newcom Tavern for the purpose of erecting a protective structure to enclose the Tavern and to ensure that it stays at its present location. The sum of $10,000 has been donated by Mr. Fred P. Beaver for this purpose.
Attached:
February 15, 1934
From Munger and Kennedy to Mr. F. O. Eichelberger, City Manager of Dayton.
Regarding the question of whether the city has the right to issue the above lease, Mr. Kennedy argues that it does, since it has essentially held title to the land since 1879 with the Newcom Tavern being moved there in 1897 from its initial location.
February 23, 1934
From the Historical Society.
A reminder of the February 27 meeting at which Mrs. J. C. Collett will speak on "The French Five Hundred."
March 20, 1934
From H. J. Williams to Mr. Eugene Kennedy.
Apparently the Dayton Historical Society could not establish a lease from the city as quickly as hoped for the Newcom Tavern, and Mr. Williams is asking for money owed his architectural firm for working on plans for an enclosure building for the Tavern.
April 13, 1934
From Harry Williams, Dayton, Ohio, to Colonel Henry M. Waite, Deputy Administrator, Special Board of Public Works, Washington, DC.
Mr. Williams asks for financial assistance from the Special Board to supplement the $10,000 from the Fred Beaver Trust Fund which the Dayton Historical Society is willing to give so that the City of Dayton can build a stone enclosure for the Newcom Tavern.
April 16, 1934
From E. W. Smythe of the Kewaunee Manufacturing Company, Adrian, Michigan to Judge O. B. Brown, President of the Dayton Historical Society.
Mr. Smythe's Company is a builder of museum cases and enclosures and wants to do business with the Society since the company has learned that plans for the new museum in Dayton have been completed.
May 8, 1934
From H. J. William's to Eugene Kennedy.
Mr. Williams is writing to Mr. Kennedy to inform him that according to Colonel H. M. Waite of Washington, DC, no federal assistance will be forthcoming for construction of an enclosure for the Newcom Tavern.
July 13, 1934
From Elizabeth M. J. Doody, President of the Dayton Women's Press Club.
Apparently Miss Frances Parrott died and the Dayton Women's Press Club is making a contribution to the Dayton Historical Society to her memory.
Attached:
September 11, 1934
From M.S. Kuhns to Mr. E. G. Pumphrey, Treasurer of the Dayton Historical Society.
A check for $10.00 is enclosed in memory of Miss Frances Parrott.
Attached:
September 11, 1934
To Elizabeth M. Doody.
A thank-you note for her check.
July 13, 1934
From Miles S. Kuhns to Katharine Shorey, Librarian of the Greene County District Library, Xenia, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns apparently was informed that a Greene County Historical Society was to be organized. He states that the Dayton Historical Society will eventually be renamed the Montgomery County Historical Society; he also hopes that a Tri-County Historical Society will be organized (Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties). He also informs her of the death of Miss Frances Parrott that same day.
July 18, 1934
From Miss Frances Parrott's family to the Dayton Historical Society.
Apparently the Society had sent flowers to the family at the recent death of Frances Parrott and this is a thank-you note.
July 18, 1934
From A. D. Hosterman, Springfield, Ohio.
Apparently Mr. Kuhns had written to Mr. Hosterman about organizing a Tri-County outing and Mr. Hosterman replies asking for a specific date for the outing.
July 19, 1934
From Edith Ross Davies, Attorney and Counselor at Law.
Ms. Davies is enclosing a thank-you note to Mr. Kuhns from Frances Parrott's family. The note was addressed to Judge Brown.
July 20, 1934
To A. D. Hosterman.
Mr. Kuhns is setting August 25 as a day for the Tri-County meeting.
Attached:
July 20, 1934
To Mr. H. C. Aultman, Xenia, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns notifies Mr. Aultman about the day of the meeting.
Attached:
July 20, 1934
To Mr. W. W. Keifer, Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mr. Keifer, who is President of the Clark County Historical Society, about the Tri-County Historical Society meeting in Springfield.
July 21, 1934
From H. C. Aultman, Xenia, Ohio.
Mr. Aultman informs Mr. Kuhns that August 25 will be a good day for the Greene County people to attend the meeting.
July 21, 1934
From W. W. Keifer, Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Keifer informs Mr. Kuhns that he will probably be unable to attend the meeting, but he is willing to cooperate and also participate in any preliminary meetings.
July 28, 1934
From Katharine Shorey, Librarian, Xenia, Ohio.
Ms. Shorey is happy to hear about the Tri-County meeting and thinks that George Rogers Clark State Park is a perfect place for it.
August 10, 1934
To Mrs. A. H. Dunham, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mrs. Dunham that the meeting will take place August 25 at George Rogers Clark State Park at 3:00 p.m. and asks her to send out cards notifying the members. There will be an inspection of the park and a program. Everyone should bring their own picnic lunch.
Attached:
August 10, 1934
To the Honorable A. D. Hosterman, Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns gives the same information about the meeting. He is asking for help to work out a tentative program.
Attached:
To H. C. Aultman, Springfield, Ohio.
Same information as above; Mr. Kuhns is asking for input to the program.
August 24, 1934
To Mrs. William M. Pettit, Dayton, Ohio.
The President of the Society is asking Mrs. Pettit to remain as Chair of the Membership Committee of the Dayton Historical Society and asks her to select her committee of five or more.
Attached:
August 24, 1934
Same information to Mrs. Bernis Brien, Chair of the Genealogical Committee and to Mrs. Katharine G. Mathiot, Chair of the House Committee.
September 1, 1934
To E. G. Pumphrey, Treasurer of the Dayton Historical Society.
This is a letter approving payment of a bill for a wreath ordered for the funeral of Miss Frances Parrott on behalf of the Society.
September 11, 1934
To E. G. Pumphrey.
The President would like to call for a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Dayton Historical Society at Newcom Tavern, September 14, at 4:00 p.m.
Attached:
The listing of the members of the committee.
September 15, 1934
From Dr. Harlow Lindley, Curator of History, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Lindley is asking to have an account of the recent Tri-County meeting along with the directory of the new officers of the Dayton Historical Society.
Note:
This is the first mention in this Collection of the intent to move the Tavern. On the other side is a letter from Miles S. Kuhns to Dr. Lindley, dated September 17, 1934, stating that he is enclosing the items he promised.
Attached:
Information on the results of the Tri-County meeting.
Attached:
A listing of the new officers of the Dayton Historical Society. This note says that $10,000 has been donated to the Society by Fred P. Beaver, a veteran of the Civil War, for the enclosing of Newcom Tavern; the Tavern will be relocated on Patterson Boulevard.
September 19, 1934
From Dr. Harlow Lindley, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Lindley received the information from Miles S. Kuhns and is thanking him.
September 21, 1934
To the Retail Merchants Association, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs the Retail Merchants Association that Mr. C. L. G. Breene is going to talk to the Dayton Historical Society September 25, on "Dayton Retail Merchants of Forty to Fifty Years Ago." He is inviting the members of the organization to attend.
September 22, 1934
To G. A. McHenry, Dayton, Ohio.
An invitation to the presentation given at Dayton Historical Society by C. L. G. Breene.
Attached:
A listing of retailers with their addresses.
October 12, 1934
To Mrs. A. H. Dunham, Secretary of Dayton Historical Society.
Apparently the great-great granddaughter of Catherine Van Cleve Thompson became a member of the Society on the date of her ancestor's birthday. Mr. Kuhns wants the secretary to make a note of this at the next meeting.
October 12, 1934
To Mrs. A. H. Dunham.
Mr. Kuhns is asking Mrs. Dunham to send out postcards for the October 30 meeting of the Society.
October 12, 1934
To Mr. Fred Eichelberger, City Manager, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns is wondering if any definite action is being taken on the matter of the new location of the Tavern.
October 15, 1934
To Eugene Kennedy, Dayton, Ohio.
Apparently Mr. Eichelberger had replied to Mr. Kuhns that Delco is paying $300 per month for parking space at the proposed location and are reticent about stopping it. As a result of this, they are reluctant to have the Tavern relocated there. Mr. Kuhns suggests that if they have more difficulties, they might as well stay on the old site.
November 30, 1934
From Constance H. Dunham (probably Mrs. A. H. Dunham).
Apparently Mr. Kuhns is sick and the Secretary of the Society informs him how much the Society is missing his work. She is wishing him a speedy recovery.
December 24, 1934
To Mr. Eugene G. Kennedy.
Mr. Kuhns is enclosing four bank books for the Fred Beavery Trust Fund, together with a copy of the agreement. He is recovering slowly from an infection, but he wants the Tavern project to go forward. He is hoping to be back by March 1st.
Undated
Probably a draft of a letter from Miles S. Kuhns to Spencer Shank, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Miles S. Kuhns is responding to Mr. Shank's request for information about the early weaving industry in the Miami Valley. He is referring Mr. Shank's inquiry to Mrs. Frances Parrott.
On the opposite page is a draft of a letter to Mrs. Parrott in which Miles S. Kuhns states that he is enclosing Mr. Shank's letter and asks her to handle the matter.
Note:
Written before Mrs. Frances Parrott's death on July 13, l934.