LOUDONVILLE — The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum will host a public program exploring one of the most dramatic and complex episodes in north central Ohio’s early history.
Conflict and Memory: Digging into the Copus Massacre will take place Monday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in the museum’s lecture hall.
The presentation will examine the events surrounding the Copus Massacre, which unfolded during a tense period of the War of 1812 when relationships between settlers, Native Americans, and the U.S. military were rapidly deteriorating.
The conflict was closely connected to the nearby Greentown Indian village and the broader upheaval taking place along the Ohio frontier.
Rather than focusing solely on the violence itself, the program will explore the wider historical context of the region, the complicated relationships that existed between local communities, and how the memory of the event has been interpreted over time.
The presentation will also highlight the results of the first phase of archaeological investigations at the historic site, offering new insights into the landscape and stories connected to this turbulent moment in Ohio’s past.
The program will be presented by Kenny Libben, curator of the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum, where he has served since 2010.
During his tenure, Libben has received several professional honors, including the Ohio Local History Alliance’s Outstanding Individual Achievement Award, the Small Museum Association’s Hunter-Burley Award, and the Ohio Museum Association’s Best Exhibition Award.
He also serves as the chair of the International Council of Museums’ Committee for Regional Museums and as a regional representative for the Ohio Local History Alliance.
The program is presented by the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum in cooperation with the Ashland County Historical Society.
The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum serves the Mohican area as a source for research, learning and historical discussion by connecting the community with the history and traditions of the area.
The Ashland County Historical Society brings Ashland County’s history alive through education, preservation, and community engagement and is supported in part by the Ashland County Community Foundation. Both museums are 501c3 not-for-profit organizations.
This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m. The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum is located at 203 E. Main Street in Loudonville.
For more information on event, visit www.crfmuseum.com or call 419 994-4050.