The Trustees of the Bexley Historical Society mourn the passing on May 31, 2026, of our founder and devoted friend, Edith (Edie) Mae Herrel.

Edie’s life-long interest in history, and especially that of Bexley, was sparked at an early age by her father, T. Kline Hamilton, and then by her husband, Michael (Mike) Herrel.

Most notably for us, in 1974, Edie founded the Bexley Historical Society which is dedicated to the promotion of interest and pride in the history of Bexley. During her active years with the Society, she lobbied for the creation of the Cottage Museum to showcase Bexley history, designed the space and promoted the collection and preservation of both Bexley artifacts and oral histories.

Born on January 18, 1930, Edie grew up in Bexley, graduating from Bexley High School in 1947. She then attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1950 (BFA). In 1994, she received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Ohio Northern University. Her interests and talents led her into the fields of graphic design, illustrations, printmaking, and author. An accomplished artist, Edie has portrayed many of Bexley’s homes, businesses and scenes in her watercolors and pen & ink drawings.

Even before the founding of the Cottage Museum, she collected artifacts of all things related to Bexley. Using Oral History techniques, she interviewed a wide range of individuals with ties to Bexley – preserving their memories for future generations. In 1978, she published the book Bexley Images and in 2023, Portraits of Memories. This latter book features over 50 years of Edie’s research, interviews, collections, photographs, and her art. 

Edie’s interests and talents were wide ranging. In 1963, she was co-founder of the Columbus Junior Theater of the Arts, now Columbus Children’s Theatre. Through that organization – as well as the Columbus Museum of Art, Bexley United Methodist Church, and the Bexley schools – she was instrumental in instructing a wide range of age groups in art, set design, sacred dance, and drama. She created art displays in museums in several states and an art display at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

In collaboration with the Bexley Women’s Club, Edie’s art was featured on a “throw” sold to raise funds for many city projects, including: the Memorial Shelter House at Jeffrey Park, the Tot Lot also at Jeffrey Park, and theater seats in the renovated Bexley High School auditorium.

On March 8, 2020, Edie was honored by the Franklinton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with a “Women in History Award”. In 2024, Mayor Ben Kessler proclaimed September 29th as Edie Mae Hamilton Herrel Day in Bexley.  The reception for both of these events was held at the Bexley Historical Society Cottage Museum. 

The late Mayor David Madison said, “If I were asked what person comes to mind that has cared about and treasured the City of Bexley, Edie Mae would be the #1 answer.” 

Edie was predeceased by her husband, Mike Herrel and is survived by children Daniel K. Herrel, Michael & wife Reeny Herrel, and Nancy (Herrel) & husband William Nuss, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

In honor of her contributions to the Bexley Historical Society and the City of Bexley, the banners on Main Street will display Edie’s artwork of early businesses, schools and churches. These banners will be on display during the final three weeks of August and the first week of September of 2026.