close
close

Impress your friends by reading these 6 blogs about Cincinnati’s history

Posted on by Vaseline
Impress your friends by reading these 6 blogs about Cincinnati’s history

play

For those of us who can’t get enough of Cincinnati history, there are a number of local history blogs, many of which are posted weekly and contain as much research as you would expect from a history magazine.

The blog format offers history buffs the opportunity to share information on topics that aren’t broad enough for an entire book, or that are a bit unusual, or that you couldn’t even ask about.

Blogs offer a variety of flavors that you don’t necessarily find elsewhere. They are informative, well researched, and a lot of fun to read.

Here are six blogs about Cincinnati history that I recommend.

Greg Hand is a prolific writer on Cincinnati history. After retiring from the University of Cincinnati as associate vice president of public relations in 2014, Hand started his blog, Cincinnati Curiosities, with the goal of “working overtime to keep the Queen City’s weird soul alive.”

He writes about oddities, dark facts, mysteries, strange names, and strange stories—stories you wouldn’t believe about Cincinnati’s past if Hand hadn’t done such thorough research.

A recent posting: “Your great-grandparents snorted nitrous oxide and people paid to watch them trip.” In the mid-1800s, residents of Cincinnati amused themselves by inhaling nitrous oxide and “demonstrating its amusing effects.” Who would have thought?

He uses quotes and illustrations from old publications and also provides his own ironic commentary on these bizarre events.

He collected many of these curious stories in his book, “Cincinnati Curiosities.” He is also a contributor to Cincinnati Magazine and WCPO-TV’s “Cincy Lifestyle.” You can also attend one of his Stand-Up History presentations around town.

Since 2011, local historian Ann Senefeld has been running this popular Cincinnati architecture blog.

She became fascinated with history after visiting the Cincinnati Historical Society library, where researchers traced ownership of the old Colerain Township farm where her family lived to the Symmes Purchase.

In her own property research, Senefeld digs through newspaper files, city directories, county auditor records, deeds, and Sanborn fire insurance maps. She then chronicles the history of a location from building to building, from owner to owner, illustrated with maps and historic photos. Her blog offers a glimpse into how good historical research is done.

Senefeld also published the book “Finding Your Home’s Ancestors: A Guide to Researching Properties in Hamilton County, Ohio,” which provides tips and strategies for discovering the history of your home.

What exactly is an etymologist? Someone who studies the origins of words. In the case of Dann Woellert, he studies the origins and evolution of food, specifically Cincinnati food.

As you might guess, he’s an expert on Cincinnati chili (he wrote a book about it), as well as our brats and metts, goetta, local sweets, and favorite restaurants. If you have a question about a Cincinnati dish, check out Woellert’s blog, which he started in 2014. Chances are he’s written about it.

Most of the topics he covers are not covered in history books, which makes the information he shares particularly valuable.

Northern Kentucky Tribune is an online publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism that has published articles on all things NKY. Our Rich History is a regular series of historical articles edited by Kentucky historian Paul A. Tenkotte, professor of history and gender studies at Northern Kentucky University.

The other side of the Ohio River is often neglected in the telling of Cincinnati’s history. These blog posts remind us of the contributions Northern Kentuckians have made to the region.

This online publication by Crystal Kendrick is “Your place for all things Black Cincinnati.” The Black history pieces offer important perspectives on important stories.

Two articles you should definitely read are: “Underground Railroad in Cincinnati plays crucial role in escape stories” by Eric R. Jackson, professor of history and black studies at Northern Kentucky University; and “The history of African Americans in Cincinnati.”

Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library (chpl.org/blogs)

The public library blogs, written by library staff, cover historical topics, often linked to an exhibition or podcast.

A recent post about the Fossetts caught my attention. I had written about Sarah and Peter Fossett in February about their new Ohio historical marker in South Cumminsville.

Both Fossetts were involved in the Underground Railroad, and Sarah was the Rosa Parks of her day, helping to desegregate the streetcars of Cincinnati in 1860.

At the time I reported about Sarah: “She was probably born a slave, but there is no information about how she was freed.”

The information – and the evidence – has surfaced.

In May, the blog reported that the Digital Library had scans of a May 29, 1844, letter written in Cincinnati by Joshua Green of Jackson, Mississippi, granting Sarah Walker (as he was then known) her freedom.

“I, Joshua Green, hereby declare that Sally Walker is no longer my slave, but to all intents and purposes free – and free to live wherever she chooses.”

This rare document is part of the exhibit “Cincinnati’s Lost Founders: The Clark and Fossett Families” at the Walnut Hills Branch Library.

I discovered that when I read the library blog.

Related Posts