By Terry L. Hapney, Jr.
The Ironton Tribune

Last Saturday, life in the 18th century took over the Lawrence County Museum.
According to museum officials, Ohio was a frontier region in the mid-18th century, and people in Lawrence County got a glimpse of what life was like for settlers and Native Americans at that time.
Mary Jo Martin, a member of the Lawrence County Museum and Historical Society, said history buffs began showing up before 9 a.m. Saturday, even though the event was supposed to start at 10 a.m.
“Everything went great,” she said. “They usually wait until we open. They were excited.”

People of all ages, races and backgrounds came from across the tri-state area and beyond to experience history firsthand. Martin said two of the attendees are direct descendants of Mary Draper Ingles – the historical figure Martin portrays.
“They’re both English,” she said. “One came from Gallia County. They were cousins. They didn’t know the other was coming.”
According to Martin, the actors “liked it”.
“When it was over, they asked if they would come back next year,” she laughed. “The people from the museum asked if we could invite them back next year. Yeah!”
The participants were still there when the event ended at 4 p.m.
“We were supposed to close at 3 p.m.,” Martin said. “At 4:30 p.m. there were still people there.”
The cast members “really enjoyed the museum” and want to come back, Martin said. “The number of visitors was incredible.”
Martin said some of the participating performers have traveled from as far away as St. Albans and Nitro in West Virginia or across the street from Wheelersburg.
“The lady from Wheelersburg was in the building for five minutes and asked how she could join the historical society,” Martin said.
Nicole Cox, president of the Lawrence County Museum and Historical Society, said about 50 people attended the event.
“I think they’re already planning next year’s event,” she said. “Whenever we do something that brings history to life – performances and reenactments – people love it, as opposed to just pictures or books. It brings history to life and makes it more realistic.”
“It sticks much more in the minds of young people when they can see and hear it this way,” Cox said.
The Living History Day culminates in the Museum and Historical Society’s annual Cemetery Walk next month.
“It’s going in the same direction,” Cox said. “It draws a huge crowd.”
The annual historic walk through Woodland Cemetery is scheduled for September 28 at 5 p.m. at 824 Lorain St. in Ironton.
Cox said members of the organization hope to make Living History Day an annual event and make it even bigger.
“Originally we wanted to do more,” she said. “We closed off the side street. The weather didn’t cooperate, so the event was scaled down and moved mostly indoors. The war reenactment (French and Indian War) was something people really wanted to see. Hopefully we can do something like that next year.”