Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County to Change Name

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Their name has been called too long and difficult to remember. Now after 126 one local group is changing their name in an attempt to bring in a new demographic.

The Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County was organized in 1890, and now they have decided to go simply by ‘Muskingum County History.’ The group operates two museums and publishes historical journals. Museum director Jim Geyer said that this was a much-needed change.

“The Ohio Historical Society (In Columbus) went through a name change too,” said Geyer. “They spent a lot of money doing research and they found that the terms in their name, practically ‘Historical’ and ‘Society,’ and in our case ‘Pioneer,’ were antiquated and too exclusive. That’s the opposite of what we are and what we aim to be.”

Geyer said that with the name change the hope to attract a younger demographic to event’s they host. Through out the summer the group will put on 17 events that feature Muskingum County’s role in the Underground Railroad.

“The first event was actually on June 5. The next one will be Thursday June 23, and they’ll continue on clear until the end of October,” said Geyer.

For more information about Muskingum County History and the events they put on you can visit their website at www.muskingumcountyhistory.com.