Indian Hill Historical Society
8100 Given Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45243

"Keeping Indian Hill's past and present alive for tomorrow"

News Archive - Fall 1998

The Indian Hill Historical Society
1973 - 1998
25 Years of Service to Indian Hill

The Indian Hill Historical Museum Association was begun in 1973 by a group of fifteen Village residents who wished to preserve The Little Red Schoolhouse. Under the leadership of Ty Emerson and Andrew Hauck, Jr., the Schoolhouse was repaired and restored; and in 1974 the Board of Trustees stated that their plan for the Schoolhouse was "after restoration, to collect and contain here the history of Indian Hill and its region and to be an educational center."

The beginnings of IHHMA/IHHS were supported by a group of over 100 families as "founders." Each contributed $100 within the first year to establish a fund to restore the Schoolhouse. In its early years the organization was geared toward the concept of a "museum." Ty Emerson said the goal should be a "superb small museum - not run of the mill," preserving the "heritage of the community...through objects, collections, and exhibits."

The first years saw emphasis on exhibits, with the driving idea being that the Schoolhouse would be a museum to preserve and present artifacts and art pertaining to Indian Hill. Undoubtedly one of the most successful art exhibits was the Farny show of 1975. However, by 1982, with a lessening of interest in exhibits and shows as the predominant feature of each year, the Board moved away from the concept of a museum; and the name was changed to "The Indian Hill Historical Society."

Following the goals "to chronicle and preserve the history of this Village through photographs and research," an estate photo collection was begun in 1977, based on the "Map of Camargo." Ginny White's first book, From Camargo to Indian Hill, was based on this pictorial exhibit which is still on display today at the Schoolhouse.

The Little Red Schoolhouse has served as a social center for the Village. The annual House Tour (1979-present), the Village Christmas Party (1980-present), dinner programs, slide shows and travel talks, and musical and theatrical presentations have had a place in the planning for each year. However, it has been the programs centered on aspects of life in the Village, featuring speakers on the history of Indian Hill, that have been the best received.

IHHS is an organization which represents more Village residents (now 25%) than any other group. It has taken a stand on matters pertaining to zoning and preservation, always encouraging the retention of historic properties. Founded to restore the Schoolhouse, it has also worked to preserve such properties as Buckingham Lodge, the Elliott House, and the Jefferson School. IHHS is still dedicated to the preservation of landmark properties in the Village, through publications illustrating their value, the Historic Landmark Plaque program, and through attention to current issues regarding Village planning. This is in keeping with the goal stated in 1982, "to expand the members' vision of the planning for a 'rural village' our founding fathers saw in the 1920's."

To communicate the Village's history the Society published three major books in 1983, 1987, and 1993. This activity continues today in the ongoing series of IHHS pages (1992+) and "Images" pages (1996+) in the Village Bulletin, and also in the Village video, "An Indian Hill Scrapbook," (1997.) The Society's creation and cooperation in the Bicentennial celebration in 1995 won it new attention as an organization of action and activity. Its Board of Trustees is an assertive, cooperative, working group--each member of which participates in enthusiastically promoting the mission of IHHS:

"Keeping Indian Hill's Past and Present Alive for Tomorrow."