Geauga County Historical Society
presents the free Public Grand Opening of the
William Stilson Long Arms Collection
and Lyle Thoburn Miniature Soldiers Collection
Saturday July 24 from 12-4pm 

     On Saturday, July 24, from noon to 4:00 pm, the Geauga County Historical Society will be your host at Century Village in Burton for a truly engaging exhibit showcasing the history of rifle manufacturing from the late 1700’s to the turn of the 20th Century. The new William Stilson Long Arms Collection and Lyle Thoburn Miniature Soldiers Collection are being displayed in a unique chronological pairing that is sure to fascinate all ages. You will see 40 rifles ranging from hand-made Revolutionary War flintlocks to the mass-produced 1903 Springfield bolt action rifle used during World War I. You will see the same kinds of rifles used during the Civil War, Custer’s Last Stand and Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders famous charge up San Juan Hill. You will see over 1,700 miniature soldiers with military equipment representing the Revolutionary War through World War I. 

     These exhibits are housed in a special gallery in the newly-renovated 1838 Eleazor Hickox Brick House, Century Village’s flagship building that anchors the southeast corner of Burton‘s historic public square. During your visit to the Hickox Brick, as it has been known for generations, you will step back in time to the mid-Victorian time period (1865 to 1875). Four rooms have been beautifully and accurately redecorated in the style of this period. And a fifth room is now home to the Geauga County military exhibit hall that includes among other things, a 2-foot tall Civil War drum that supposedly could be heard for miles. 

     Adjacent to the Hickox Brick is the newly-renovated Thomas Umberfield Cabin, restaged to accurately reflect early pioneer life in Geauga County. Step into this cozy one-room cabin and experience the spartan lifestyle of our Geauga County predecessors. 

     This special Grand Opening event is free to the public. Both buildings in the complex are fully accessible to the disabled. 

     Active since 1938, the Geauga County Historical Society is the only living history center in Geauga County, Ohio. Through its role as curator, it supports Century Village Museum consisting of 22 historic buildings and 6 support structures. To fulfill its educational role, this site provides tours to over 5,000 school children from 60 schools each year and hosts numerous major annual events highlighting various cultural aspects of the Western Reserve. The Historical Society also makes available over 20,000 artifacts and documents for research and study and is dedicated towards making a positive influence on the lives of Geauga County residents. 

     Century Village is located at the intersections of Routes 168 and 87 in Burton, OH. For further information contact the Century Village offices at 440-834-1492.   We look forward to seeing you!

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Blog Readers:  I saw a preview of this firearms exhibit and it is FIRST RATE!  You will think you are in Cody or at the Smithsonian!  And it's all right here in Century Village in Burton!  HAIL TO THE GUN!  See America's history through the gun.  DO NOT MISS THIS!  I will be there with my staff in force!  THIS IS A LONG AWAITED MOMENT!  Bring your kids, bring your neighbors - turn out to this event!