Page 3 - Dresden Buzz 06-28-24

JUNE 28 - JULY 11, 2024 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3
Inaugural Season continued from page 1
By Alice Stratman Smith
of Putnam America’s Basket Festival

Underground
Railroad Forum

Underway

submitted

Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson Street, location of
the Putnam Underground Railroad Forum series
of presentations; Anti-Slavery Tensions Ohio
Historical Marker . Submitted

Increased interest in the Under-
ground Railroad (UGRR) and Abolitionist
activity in Putnam and a recommenda-
tion from the National Park Service have
resulted in an effort to update Putnam’s
listing in the National Register of Historic
Places. The original 1975 listing recog-
nized the historic impact of Putnam at
the local level. It was amended in 2004 Event coordinators for America’s Basket Festival are pictured in front of The World’s Largest Basket located in Dresden, Ohio. From left to right are Lurenda
to include Putnam’s importance at the Hayes, Stephanie Hahn, Tammy Delancey, Diana Smith, and Katlin Hatfield. Not pictured are Jim Lepi, Darron Delancey, Michael Kennedy, Nancy Cameron,
state level. The 2024 update seeks rec- and Stacey Morrison. Matthew Dotson
ognition of Putnam’s national signifi-
cance. The National Park Service (NHL_
Bulletin_ 508_ Final_2023-09) refers to Welcome Cen- long-time DCA member and entrepre- on Facebook. To register for Lunch in a
the National Register as “the official list ter, Beauty by neur Jim Lepi. Basket, Bingo, Build a Basket, or Paint
of the nation’s historic places worthy of Design Floral For detailed information please a Basket activities please go to ABF24.
preservation.” It goes on to explain that, Boutique & visit destinationdresden.com and for eventbrite.com. Spaces are limited.
“the evaluation of National Register eli- The Dresden updates follow Destination Dresden
gibility is a planning tool used to iden- Brew Cof-
tify, evaluate, and protect America’s his- fee Cafe, the
torical and archeological resources, and shops in Union
part of a national strategy to coordinate Square includ-
and support public and private efforts in ing Sage Re-
this regard.” design, Kinney
The Putnam UGRR Forum series is Home Art & Decor, Home Sweet Home
open to the public and free of charge. art studio, and The Village Seamstress
Each meeting will feature a program are all must-see shops for anyone visit-
about Putnam history as well as infor- ing Dresden. Please check individual
mation about the National Register of store hours as some may not be avail-
Historic Places update including related able during the entire event.
Q&A and discussion. The program theme Darron Delancey executive DCA
for the Forum’s Inaugural Season is Old board member and co-owner of Humble
Putnam: Stories That All Americans Can Heart said, “America’s Basket Festival
Relate To, Regardless of Where They is a time to gather, to say hellos, and
Live. to continue in making Dresden a small
Muskingum County History (MCH) town to enjoy. I would like to thank all of
Board President, Pete Cultice, indicated our sponsors, the MCCF, and the Dres-
that “the first program of the Forum, den Community Association Members
‘Birthplace of the Ohio Anti-Slavery So- for making this event possible.”
ciety,’ (which took place on June 27) The entire day is filled with activi-
focused on the shift in attitude and ties including BINGO, a photo booth,
change in strategy that occurred in the a Longaberger family basket signing,
movement to end slavery.” Cultice also hands-on opportunities to Build a Bas-
shared, “the MCH Board is very thankful ket and Paint a Basket (pre-registration
for the generous financial support from required), a reunion for Longaberger
the J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foun- Employees, activities for kids, and live
dation. We have worked many times music by Bryan Lewis.
with the Straker Foundation, and we A beer and spirits garden and a food
appreciate their involvement in the Put- truck will be on-site plus attendees have
nam district.” the option of pre-registering to pick up a
The next forum in the series is Lunch in a Basket at the event!
scheduled for Thursday, July 25, 2024 The festival is also the final day for
from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM and will be the 2024 Dresden Homecoming. Rides,
held at the Stone Academy Historic Site games, and homecoming fare will be
& Museum (115 Jefferson Street, Zanes- located on the grounds of Union Square
ville). For further information please vis- (701 Chestnut Street) adding to the ex-
it www.muskingumcountyhistory.org/ citement of the day.
events1 “A few years ago a city planner said
to me ‘Dresden is arguably the basket
capital of the world and you don’t have a
basket festival?’, well now we do!” said
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