Sauder Village is hosting a free Agricultural Lecture Series at the Heritage Inn this season in conjunction with the renovation of the historic Grist Mill. Richard P. Anderson, Chairman of The Andersons, Inc., will present the first lecture on Monday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. with a program showcasing the history of the Andersons company and their impact on agriculture in Northwest Ohio.
“As part of our mission to preserve and present the agricultural history of our region, this lecture series will help share the social, economic and cultural history of Northwest Ohio, how that ties in with the agricultural history, and its importance in the development of our state,” shared Kim Krieger, PR/Media Relations. “The speakers that have been selected for this series are known for their expertise and knowledge of agricultural history.”
Thanks to the support of the Ohio Humanities Council all programs in the series are free and open to the public. The evening lectures will be held at the Sauder Heritage Inn at 7:30 p.m. on May 19, June 9 and October 6.
“The Andersons Story” will be presented on Monday, May 19 by Richard P. Anderson. Mr. Anderson will share the Andersons story with video clips from a WGTE program on this topic and his insights from the Anderson Company. Richard P. Anderson, has been with The Andersons, Inc. since his father, Harold, founded it in 1947. The Andersons, Inc. is a respected leader and dominant regional player in the grain industry. Starting as a crew boss on construction of the first elevator in Maumee, Ohio, Mr. Anderson worked his way up through the company. He was named managing partner in 1978 and president and chief executive officer in 1986. In 1996, he was named Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Anderson has served on numerous corporate boards including Toledo Edison, Trustcorp Inc., First Mississippi Corp., Solar Cells Inc., N-Viro International Corp. and ChemFirst Inc. In addition, he has served as board member and chairman of many civic and charitable organizations including: Toledo Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Public Broadcasting Foundation of Northwest Ohio, Lucas County Children Services Board, St. Luke’s Hospital, The University of Toledo Foundation and The Toledo Museum of Art as well as Sauder Village.
Other lectures in the series include a program on June 9 presented by Todd Price, Founding Director of Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview, IL. Mr. Price will present “The Dawn of the Golden Age of Agriculture” – a program about the social, technological, political and economic changes of the 1920s and how these impacted farming. On October 6 Joe Anderson from Mount Royal University in Alberta, Canada will present “The Vacant Chair on the Farm: Understanding Marriage, Farm Management, and Soldiering in the Midwest during the American Civil War.”
“We are pleased to be presenting this lecture series and unveiling many other projects in conjunction with the Grist Mill renovation,” Krieger added. “Our guests have appreciated the updates to the exterior of the building as well as the rearrangement of interior furnishings and new displays that help share the important stories associated with the Grist Mill. The “Grain: From Field to Flour” Exhibit has also provided guests with an in-depth look at grains and some hands-on learning opportunities.”
The Sauder Village mission is to provide guests with experiences rich in history, hospitality, creativity, and fun. Since opening in 1976, Sauder Village has grown to a 235-acre complex with more than 450 employees and 400 adult and 200 youth volunteers. As Ohio’s largest living history destination, Sauder Village includes the award winning Historic Village, the 98-room Sauder Heritage Inn, a 48-site campground, the 350-seat Barn Restaurant, the Doughbox Bakery, and banquet seating for 750 in Founders Hall. The Historic Village preserves more than 75 historic structures and nearly 50,000 artifacts where history is brought to life through stories, demonstrations, and programs. Proceeds from the retail and hospitality areas, along with admissions, memberships, and donations, contribute to the financial support for this 501(c)(3) organization.
Historic Sauder Village is open this spring Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. , Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4:00 p.m. The Village is closed on Mondays, except holidays and summer hours will begin after Memorial Day. Admission is $16.00/adults, $14.00/seniors, $10.00/students (6-16) and free for members and children 5 and under. Again this year, children 16 and under are free every Sunday this season!
For more details about the Agricultural Lecture Series, other special events or planning a memorable Sauder Village get-away call 800.590.9755, visit www.saudervillage.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @SauderVillage.