It’s no wonder that Bexley boasts families that have resided here for generations. Nestled among its charming tree-lined streets have lived entrepreneurs, explorers, artists, and more.
Founded in 1974, The Bexley Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes interest and pride in the history of Bexley, Ohio, and the accomplishments of its citizens and institutions. It seeks to educate the community by assembling, researching, publishing, preserving, and interpreting a valuable collection of memorabilia, photographs, genealogical records, and other information associated with Bexley’s heritage.
Since 2006 the Bexley Historical Society has maintained a museum at the Jeffrey Mansion Caretaker’s Cottage. Please visit or contact us for more information.
Join us on a spooky tour to view the spectacular Bexley Halloween decorations! Hear spooky Bexley stories! See Bexley’s “haunted” spots! To be followed by “treats” back at the Jeffrey Mansion Shelter House, next to The Bexley Historical Society Cottage Museum. Our own Ann Russell will be guiding us through… Read More
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Bexley Day presentation of “Ten Stories to Tell Your Grandchildren”! As always, Larry regaled us with wonderful stories from Bexley’s past. For those who were unable to attend, the event can be viewed on YouTube at: Celebrate Bexley Day – Ten Stories… Read More
We would be unable to pursue the mission of The Bexley Historical Society without support from our members. Thank you for your continuing support! Click here to view our 2024 Members and Supporters: THANK YOU! To join this list of wonderful people, organizations and companies, click here: JOIN!
We are pleased to welcome our first business sponsor – The Durable Slate Company. Our membership has traditionally been made up of individuals and organizations, however with the interest expressed by The Durable Slate Company, we are pleased to announce the introduction of three new sponsorship levels designed specifically for… Read More
Join our own Larry Helman to learn about the development and evolution of Bexley’s neighborhoods! This is a presentation from the 2023 Bexley Day celebration. The History and Evolution of Bexley Neighborhoods In this video presentation, Larry, takes the viewer through stunning visuals and fantastic stories, tracing the development of… Read More
Do you remember the Van Ramsey and/or Joyce Photo Studios, the Feed Bag Restaurant, Don’s Drive-In, the Steelman’s Bicycle Shop or Seckel’s Variety Store? What about some of the area’s swimming pools, such as the Bath Club, Nu Sanitary, Tavernel, and the Excelsior Club? Preserving the story of your family,… Read More
All of us at the Bexley Historical Society mourn the loss of our devoted friend and trustee, David Madison. David was committed to service and community throughout his life, serving as a member of Bexley City Council, as a trustee with the Bexley Historical Society, and as Bexley’s Mayor for 32 years.… Read More
We heartily thank the 25 individuals who joined at the $300 Lifetime Member level. All of the Bexley Historical Portraits of Memories have been distributed. While the Lifetime Member level remains available, we no longer have the book available. If you have an interest in the book, please let us… Read More
Bexley Public Library and the Bexley Historical Society are honoring Bexley’s homes of 100 years or more with special markers. These markers have been generously funded by the Paige and Mike Crane Fund of the Bexley Community Foundation. If your home was built by 1923 or older, and you would… Read More
The Adena was a pre-Columbian Native American culture that primarily inhabited the area of present-day Ohio from around 500 BCE to 100 CE. Archeological evidence of the Adena culture has been found in what is now Bexley.Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.Click for more...(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024The Wyandotte and other indigenous groups hunted deer and wild turkey in the woods along Alum Creek and traded with the early European settlers.Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.Click for more...(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024Land, designated as the "Refugee Tract" in what would become Central Ohio, had been set aside by the Federal Government for those Canadians who sided with the Colonists in the American Revolutionary War. By sympathizing with the Colonists, they lost all their possessions - land, homes, etc. While some eventually migrated to Central Ohio, most did not and chose to sell their allotted acreage.
In 1799, David Nelson purchased such a tract of land that abutted Alum Creek. Here he, his wife Margaret, and their six children built a log cabin.Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024The section of the National Road (Main Street) connecting Zanesville with Columbus opened in 1833, facilitating further westward movement of settlers. The crossing at Alum Creek was a common stop for water and rest.
One of the original stone mile markers can still be seen in the side yard of the Christ Lutheran Church at 2314 E Main Street.Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.Click for more...(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024The Octagon House was the first house in what would become Bexley. Built in 1863 by the Sessions Family, it is still standing (2130 E Broad). See what happened to the property in The Sessions Village Neighborhood article:Click for more...Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024Land transfer records show that on June 9, 1864, one acre of land was purchased by the Montgomery Township Board of Education from Edward Livingston for the purpose of building a one-room schoolhouse at what is currently the intersection of College Avenue and Livingston Avenue. The schoolhouse was in use from 1864 through 1875.
This depiction shows the schoolhouse at the rear of a residence. It is unconfirmed whether the residence was built at the same time as the schoolhouse or after; however, it is recorded that the first teacher, Martha Livingston Brown, and her family lived in this residence. In 1876, the property was sold and redeveloped into a two-story brick home and, for many years, known as the "Herr Farm".Artist, author and historian, Edie Mae Herrel gifted to The Bexley Historical Society her original artwork depicting scenes from Bexley's past. Much of this artwork is featured in the articles on this website. We will use this space to showcase her work along a timeline of Bexley's development.(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024(c) Bexley Historical Society 2024
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Dear Bexley Friends – Letter from Miss America-Dear Bexley Friends, As I fly across the United States from the North to the South, from the East to the West, I have often had the opportunity to share with others some of the wonderful experiences I have had thus far as "Miss America - 1972." One of the most memorable occasions will always be my homecoming in Bexley on October 17th. In September, October 17th seemed such a long time to wait before returning home to see my family and friends again. I had no idea what to expect, because I felt the homecoming given me as Miss…
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