The Museum Association of East Muskingum starts their America 250 celebrations at the Harper Cabin
NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Museum Association of East Muskingum started their line up of America 250 events with the New Concord Historic Business Open House today. The open house was at the Harper Cabin on Main Street with free tours, snacks and refreshments.
The Harper Cabin is the former home and birthplace of William Rainey Harper who served as the first president of the University of Chicago. Often overshadowed by the John Glenn Museum up the road, Hope Neal says that the Harper Cabin offers a different perspective to the culture and history of the area.
“I really like museums as holders of culture and for the community and I think, though John Glenn is amazing and he’s a great representation of all of America, Harper Cabin, in it’s own way, is much more New Concord,” said Neal, who’s the assistant director of operations for the Museum Association of East Muskingum. “So it tells the story of a young man who had a rough start he then goes on to study and puts in a lot of hard work and founds a college and graduates from Muskingum (College) super early and just goes on to live a fantastic life. And then, of course, left everything back here for people to learn from what he did.”
A new sign was also rededicated for the Glenn Plumbing Company on the corner of Liberty and Main to showcase the humble roots of John Glenn. The open house saw dozens of people visit during the open house which Neal says was a great experience.
“I really enjoy seeing the community come around these things,” Neal said. “I know on a Saturday, especially when it’s warm, there’s so many other things you could be doing, But for people to find it important to come here and to community with each other, having people bump into old classmates or just reconnect is just always one of the best experiences. ”
You can go online to JohnandAnnieGlennMuseum.org to see museum hours and the event lineup for the rest of the year as the Museum Association of East Muskingum continues with their America 250 celebrations.
