Historical Society Unveils 'Made in Kent' Series on Saturday

The will host a Grand Opening event for the new “Made in Kent: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Community” exhibition on Saturday.

The kick-off celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 237 E. Main St.

The exhibition highlights activity of Kent entrepreneurs and their role in the community. , Twin Coach, , Mason Tire, T.G. Parsons Lumber, Loeblein, AMETEK, Kent Displays and are among the businesses to be featured in the exhibition.

“Made in Kent: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Community” exhibition features new artifacts, photographs, videos, and interpretive signs that tell the stories of these local institutions and the interesting individuals behind them. “Lost Kent” is another aspect of the new exhibit, highlighting places that no longer exist in the community. The exhibit sites include , Kent Opera House, Hahn's Bakery, Union School, Brady Lake Resort, Thompson's and Donaghy's drugstores, The Lilac Gardens, The Kent Comfort Station, and others. Light refreshments will be served.

Bruce Dzeda, author of Railroad Town: Kent and the Erie Railroad, will be at the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer questions and sign copies of his book, which is available for purchase for $20. In addition, visitors names will be drawn with books given as prizes.

The kick-off event celebrates the opening of KHS' new permanent exhibit, "Made in Kent: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Community." Subsequent events will be held in July and September. The July event is intended for Gougler employees and others whose work is highlighted in the exhibit. The refurbished lampost, which formerly stood at the entrance to Gougler plant on Lake Street, will be unveiled. Employees from Davey Tree and AMETEK will be invited to the September event. During these events, attendees will be interviewed about their experiences of working in Kent.

Kent Historical Society is a non-profit organization that strives to be the primary Kent history resource and reference center, leading the community in the collection, preservation and interpretation of Kent’s heritage through exhibits, educational programs and activities.