History Retold in 'All About Kent' Speaker Series

The upcoming "All About Kent" speaker series events, put on by the Kent Historical Society, will call attention to a lasting structure in the city and a person who made a lasting effect on the nation.

On Sept. 25, the historical society will host a celebration of the 135th anniversary of the completion of the Main Street Bridge. The event, to be held on the bridge and in the Home Savings Plaza, will be a recreation of the scene when the last stone for the bridge was laid in 1876.

At that time, there were speeches by Marvin and Charles Kent, the bridge builder and other dignitaries, Tom Hatch, Kent Historical Society administrator, said. Visitors to the event can expect re-enactments and an appearance by an ancestor of the first person who traveled across the bridge. Architectural information about the bridge also will be presented.

"The September event around the bridge is going to be a birthday celebration that all Kent can enjoy," Hatch said.

At the beginning of November, Paul Bauer and Mark Dawidziak are scheduled to talk about who became "the most feared man in Hollywood," Hatch said. Bauer and Dawidziak authored Jim Tully: American Writer, Irish Rover, Hollywood Brawler, which discusses Tully's adventures both in Kent and Hollywood. The event also marks the 40th anniversary of the Kent Historical Society.

"The November talk with Paul and Mark is a fascinating story that will make you want to read their book," Hatch said.

The purpose of both the bridge celebration and the Tully discussion is to highlight how Kent differs from surrounding cities.

"One of the things that (the) historical society believes people need to know is that their community and our community is individual and special and specific to the events and people who made the history," said Sandra Halem, Kent Historical Society president. "We try to focus on that so people feel not only a sense of pride but also a sense of individuality."

The "All About Kent" series occurs quarterly and was started several years ago by historical society board member John Benedik. This year, the series got a grant from the city's Celebrate Kent! program for $1,200. More information about the upcoming events will be available next month.