Save the Dates..2015 Winter History Lecture Series begins on February 4th at 6:00 p.m. in the community room

In a joint effort to promote awareness of the rich Ohio Valley history, The Bellaire Public Library and The Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society are once again teaming up to sponsor the Local History Winter Lecture Series.  This well-attended lecture series is now in its third year.  Lectures are scheduled each Wednesday during the months of February and March at 6:00 p.m. in the library’s community room. Light refreshments are also provided.

pictures of presenters and members of the GSV and Library Director


The Honorable Judge Edmund Sargus, an Article III Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, kicks off the lecture series on February 4th.  Appointed to this position by President Bill Clinton, Sargus was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and received commission in 1966. His presentation, “Thomas Drummond: And the War Came” is about the life of Drummond who served as a senator, newspaper editor, and Civil War hero.

Fred Ottoson of the Imperial Glass Collector’s Museum follows on February 11th with the topic, “Imperial Glass:  The Formative Years”.  This is an in-depth look into the inception of the Imperial Glass Company along with the challenge that occurred along the path to glass production in 1904. Additionally, the entry of Imperial’s glassware into the market and the hiring of certain key employees in the early years will be highlighted.

 On February 18, (to be rescheduled) Tom Flynn presents, "The Belmont County Authors, Poets and Writers”.  Flynn, who recently retired from Ohio University Eastern where he taught a variety of composition and literature courses, is no stranger to the Bellaire community.  He has led dynamic and thought-provoking book talks at the Bellaire Public Library, delighting all those in attendance for numerous years.


On Wednesday, February 25th John Bowman, historian, author of several books, and builder of model steamboats, is presenting, "The Steamboat Washington: The First Successful River Steamboat”.  Bowman’s steamboat models are on display at the Bellaire Public Library, in personal collections, and in museums throughout the Ohio Valley.

On March 4, 2015, the Great Stone Viaduct Society will be presenting to the public important news regarding the effort to secure the railroad property where the abandoned portion of Great Stone Viaduct now stands.  A professionally prepared landscape design presentation, including a 3 dimensional mockup of the site layout, will highlight the evening, along with a photographic and historical analysis of this property.  This Viaduct will be 150 years old in 2021, and the GSV Society wants to have completed by that time a grand celebration commemorating this anniversary, and opening of this space as a historical commons for the community and the county. Members of the GSV Society, Ringstone and Keystone Clubs will be recognized as contributors supporting this project.

 Then on March 11th, Tom Buckley, Adjunct Professor at Belmont College, presents, "A Soldier for 100 Days: The170th Ohio National Guard Infantry.” This NGI was made up of men from Belmont and Harrison counties, which served in the defenses of Washington and Harpers Ferry and participated in two battles and several skirmishes.

On March 18, Daniel Frizzi, Jr. presents, "The Early Days of Sol White and Baseball in Bellaire, OH”.  White, who was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2006, was a man of color who grew up and learned to play baseball in Bellaire, OH.  He is the author of “Sol White’s History of Colored Baseball”. He lived long enough to see the color barrier broken by Jackie Robinson, which Sol had long advocated. Frizzi, a local attorney and author, is board member of the Great Stone Viaduct Educational Society and a Trustee for the Bellaire Public Library.

On March 25, the lecture series concludes with a presentation by Michael McTeague entitled, "Benjamin Lundy and the Lundy House".   McTeague is currently the Assistant Professor of History Emeritus, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Higher Education, and Associate Dean of the Eastern Campus.  His presentation is about the history of the Lundy House, its early owner, Benjamin Lundy and his efforts to secure the freedoms of  runaway slaves heading northward as well as his passion for seeking the abolishment of slavery.


Open to the public, those interested in these topics are encouraged to mark their calendars each Wednesday evening during February and March.  All presentations begin promptly at 6 o'clock p.m. Light refreshments are served proceeding each lecture.