The Kent Historical Society and Museum is more than just a resource and reference center, it’s a place to explore the vibrant and distinguished history of the city of Kent.
Located at 237 E. Main St., KHS provides visitors and community members with exhibits, artifacts and collectibles that showcase different aspects of Kent’s history. This includes famous people, businesses and buildings.
Bengt George, the KHS communication specialist, said many local residents appreciate the city’s history, and the historical society can help community members foster even deeper connections to Kent’s past by providing additional context and information.
“We have a lot of really interesting history, some of which people aren’t aware of,” George said. “Kent’s history is really ingrained in the broader regional history, as it became an industrial and commercial center because of the railroad coming through.”
Currently, the historical society has several “semipermanent” exhibits on display, one of the most popular is the train and transportation room, according to George. The room holds a number of artifacts tied to the railroad and a table with model trains.
George said another popular exhibit is “Prescription for Memories,” which has artifacts from Kent’s old pharmaceutical businesses.
Other exhibits include history on May 4, Davey Tree, Victorian home goods and old schools, among other things. George said most exhibits are created to showcase “notable” local history, but artifact availability is also considered.
“One of our founding board members was the pharmacist and owner of Thompson Drug [a major pharmacy in downtown Kent], and we got a lot of great artifacts from him,” he said. “So, we have a room that’s mostly dedicated to the history of Thompson Drug.”
Outside of the exhibits, the historical society also has a vast array of collections such as newspaper clippings, postcards, photographs and books. Even specialty items like furniture and clothing have been acquired, George said.
These collectibles and artifacts allow some visitors to relive their past and reminisce. For example, George said the “Prescription for Memories” exhibit includes photos and signs of Thompson Drug and its former staff members where visitors can potentially find themselves or people they might have known.
“That’s always cool that people can see something they remember seeing in person,” he said.
Engaging with the community is another priority for the KHS, as it holds educational programming at local schools in the form of presentations and field trips to historical sites around the area. The historical society also hosts occasional open houses at the museum where refreshments and special activities are offered.
Most recently, KHS collaborated with several local businesses and groups and held an event on June 1 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Kent Erie Depot. George said over 500 visitors came to enjoy cake, refreshments, live music, guest speakers and children’s activities.
“It was very fun,” George said. “It was a big downtown get-together.”
George said KHS will continue to partner with local organizations like Main Street Kent and downtown businesses to host events after the success of the depot anniversary. George said the historical society has a bright future with new partnerships offering numerous opportunities.
“We opened up some new relationships,” he said. “We’ve got a whole bunch of new members and volunteers, so things are looking good.”
More information on KHS and its upcoming events and programming can be found on its website and facebook page.
John Engoglia is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
