About Us

The Mission of the Rocky River Historical Society is to preserve, interpret, & celebrate the unique heritage of the city and its people.

The Rocky River Historical Society Vision includes finding a permanent home for the Society; increasing membership; expanding our archives; developing new services for the community; and preserving our history through such activities as conducting an oral history program and documenting current changes in Rocky River.

July 18, 1968: 34 people met to organize The Rocky River Historical Society. Don Macbeth was president pro tem, George A. “Sunny” Christensen was chairman of the by-laws committee, and one of the members was Don L. Harbaugh.

August 29, 1968: The by-laws committee met at the Rocky River Library.

September 5, 1968: The second meeting of the by-laws committee took place, at the library. Donald L. Harbaugh, George A. Christensen, S.F. Stein, and Donald D. Macbeth were appointed trustees until an election could be held. James M. Siedel was appointed agent.

September 12, 1968: The second general meeting was held and 84 people signed up to join the Society, of which 81 people paid.

November 7, 1968: The by-laws committee met again.

November 14, 1968: The Articles of Incorporation for “The Rocky River Historical Society” were filed in the office of Ted W. Brown, Secretary of State, Columbus, Ohio, by George A. Christensen. “The purpose is to promote interest in preserving, discovering, and obtaining all that relates to the history, genealogy, geology, folklore, and commerce of the area of the City of Rocky River; to encourage and promote publications of historical information; assisting in the sponsoring of educational programs of historical nature; the locating and marking of historical sites; and to arrange and provide exhibits and programs of historical education and research; to acquire property of any description, or interest therein, by gift, devise, bequest, purchase, lease, pledge, or exchange…”

Also, a general meeting of the Society was held at the library, and officers were elected as follows:

President: George A. Christensen

Vice President: James M. Siedel

Recording Secretary: Donald L. Harbaugh

Corresponding Secretary: Eleanor F. Kenney

Treasurer: Harlow Eichler

Auditor: Donald D. Macbeth

Trustees: Laura L. Dean, Mrs. Earl M. Gibbs, Helen Sheppard, Mr. S.F. Stein, Jack Clowser

Elizabeth Danielson was appointed Historian.

The speaker was Richard Fetzer, president of the Olmsted Historical Society, who talked about the Pilgrims. 65 people attended.

Members of the Board of Trustees as of November 2023

Ginni Going- President

John Going - Vice President

Jeanette Lewis - Recording Secretary

Dottie O’Neill - Corresponding Secretary 

Sue Gragel - Treasurer

Trustees

Gay Christensen-Dean

JIm Chillemi

Susan Crane

Vic Erml

Betsey Heil

Kate Hudak

Heather McCrea

Michael Harvey

Jay Rounds

Stacey Staub

Trustees Emeritus

W. Philip Ardussi

Tom Barrett

Jack Nickels

Honorary Member

Dr. Michael Shoaf