MVHS cancels public events; virtual holiday programs continue

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society has canceled its public holiday events, but planned virtual activities will continue.

The Tyler History Center has closed temporarily and remain so until further notice. The Arms Family Museum, MVHS’ other facility on Wick Avenue, closed for the holiday season on Nov. 16.

Rapidly rising public health concerns regarding COVID-19 in Ohio and the Mahoning Valley prompted the decision.

No MVHS staff, guides, or volunteers have been diagnosed with the virus at this time.

“It’s increasingly clear that we must minimize the risk of exposure at our facilities for visitors and staff, given the turn of the virus with a new wave of cases and deaths. MVHS has been working hard to safely implement in-person shopping and displays for the holidays but we will now rethink those plans. Our online holiday programming will not change at this time,” said William Lawson, MVHS executive director.

MVHS implemented its first facilities closure in March. As the severity of the pandemic lessened over the summer, the Tyler History Center and Arms Family Museum reopened with limited hours.

MVHS is enacting this second closure of all its facilities and will keep its members and the public updated. All Tyler History Center rentals have been canceled through at least March 2021. All updates regarding operations and programming will be available through the MVHS website at mahoninghistory.org.

• Holiday Mahoning Valley artiFACTS will feature seasonal collection items in a special version of the MVHS Facebook series on Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. 30.

• Holiday Bites and Bits of History online video programs continue on the MVHS YouTube channel. On Thursday, Dec. 17, Cassie Nespor, curator at YSU Melnick Medical Museum, will explore the medical roots of celebratory cocktails in “Cheers to Your Health!”

• Holiday Hands On History at-home activities can be downloaded from the MVHS website. The example images and step-by-step instructions for each crafts project will be added every Sunday through Jan. 3.

• Holiday Vintage Video Series will premiere on Tuesdays and Saturdays through Jan. 2. The Business & Media Archives of the Mahoning Valley will post a selection of holiday film footage from its collection on its Facebook page and the MVHS YouTube channel.

• Holiday Time Capsules blog series on MVHS’ website will dive into various holiday traditions and events that occur at the time of the winter solstice. These will premiere on Fridays from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3.

• 2020 Holiday Windows will be on display at the front entrance of the Tyler History Center. Vintage Mahoning Valley holiday scenes will be free to passersby.

For more information, contact Dave Ragan, communications manager at 330-743-2589, ext. 122 or email dragan@mahoninghistory.org.