News

The Summit County Historical Society will be partnering with psychic and angel reader Laura Lyn on an adventure underground. This is a fundraiser for Akron/Canton area Homeless Agencies and Summit County Historical Society. Tickets are $45 each with tour times at 5 PM,  7 PM and 9 PM.  Go to https://www.angelreader.net/events to purchase tickets online.

For this special opportunity, participants will have a chance to learn more about Akron’s first rubber company through the connection of Akron’s founding family.  Colonel George Tod Perkins, eldest son of Col. Simon and Grace Perkins from Mutton Hill, represented the Akron Board of Trade to meet with Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich in New York to convince him to move his rubber factory to the banks of the Ohio & Erie Canal in Akron.

Psychic Medium Laura Lyn will lead your tour and point out major areas of activity to investigate. In her recent preliminary investigation of the tunnels, it is her opinion, “the whole tunnel system is ‘hot’ with high energy activity! These tunnels had to be put out of service a long time ago, but have their own stories to tell that have been locked up and forgotten!”

Guests are encouraged to bring their flashlights and cameras for this tour.  Parking is free. On the corner of West Bartges and South Main Street sits several Canal Place Buildings and the last driveway on South Main St. BEFORE you get to West Bartges (heading south on S. Main Street) is a driveway street by the name of Jackson Street. Jackson Street sits between buildings 1 and 2 on the left and building 17 on the right. Pull in between these buildings on Jackson Street and go straight back behind building 17 to any of the spaces to park your car. The entrance to the event is in building 1 and 2 that are joined together.

(Image credit: BFG Collection, University of Akron Archival Services)

New in 2018: The Perkins Stone Mansion will be open for tours the week between Christmas and New Year’s.  Bring out of town guests over for Holidays on the Hill tours Wednesday through Saturday from 1-4 p.m.  The cost is $10 per adult, $2 for students 6-17.  Check out these great December deals:

Wednesday – buy one tour ticket, get one free

Thursday – half price membership

Friday – 20% discount in the gift shop

Saturday – kids are FREE

            The Society will host a number of programs while their historic structures are closed for tours during the winter. Please join us for one of the following events:

January 17th – History of Victorian Valentines  Join us for our Remember When . . . Hands On History program at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House on the property of the Perkins Stone Mansion at 550 Copley Road.  Education presenter Janet McCaulley will share the history of the Valentine giving attendees a chance to view the Society’s vintage collection.  This program is free for Society members and $10 for nonmembers.

February 2 – Mutton Hill Book Club  Attendees are encouraged to read Jane and The Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron.  It is a Jane Austen mystery (an historical fiction work around the life of the writer).  To add to the fun, the event will include a mystery to solve in the Perkins Stone Mansion while enjoying low tea.  Tickets are $15 for nonmembers and $10 for members. It will be held from 2-3:30 p.m.

February 21 – Lots of Locks: A Canal History. Join us for our Remember When . . . Hands On History program at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House on the property of the Perkins Stone Mansion at 550 Copley Road.  Education presenter Dave Gates will share the history of the canal systems in Akron and Summit County.  This program is free for Society members and $10 for nonmembers.

March 21 – Understanding the American Hobo  Join us for our Remember When . . . Hands On History program at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House on the property of the Perkins Stone Mansion at 550 Copley Road.  Education presenter Dave Gates will share the history of the canal systems in Akron and Summit County.  This program is free for Society members and $10 for nonmembers.

March 23 – True Crime Tour As 19th century author Mark Twain stated, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Learn more about crimes (murders and holds ups) committed within the greater Akron area while traveling on trolley to see the locations.  Bring a friend because these stories are real! Tickets for the day tour from 1 – 3:30 p.m. are $25 or $20 for Society members (reservations required).

April 3 – New Tour Season for Perkins Stone Mansion & John Brown House 2019 will bring new displays in the Stone Mansion and a new exhibit at the John Brown House.  Tour dates and times are Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.  

April 27 – Architectural Heritage Awards Trolley Save the date for our biennial tour featuring the 2018 Architectural Heritage Awards locations.  The program is a collaboration between Progress Through Preservation and The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH.  Look for more details on the Society’s website in February.