Our History
1955
In 1955, a “son of Bedford” began what was to become the Bedford Historical Society. Its humble beginnings would be unrecognizable today, a simple bookshelf collection in the front window of the Lincoln Press, a local print shop owned by society founder, Dick Squire.
1959
The Bedford Historical Society moved from a storefront to Central Elementary School in 1959 where it expanded its collection to fill a classroom in the former high school, now elementary school.
1961
The Society was officially registered as a 501-C3 non-profit organization by founding director, Dick Squire. This status made the Bedford Historical Society an officially recognized organization on the non-profit stage.
1963
The Bedford Historical Society made its final move and found its permanent home when the historical society purchased the Old Township Hall (built in 1874) from the City of Bedford for $10 (or $109.13 in 2026). The Society quickly created a variety of Bedford history-focused exhibits on the first floor, evolving from a small, literary collection to an established museum with books, artifacts and archives.
1964
The Historical Society held its first Strawberry Festival on the Square with the help of the Bedford Grange. Beginning as a one-day event, it has now grown to an entire weekend and has become the traditional event for area residents marking the beginning of summer.
1965–1967
The Museum undergoes renovation, saving it from demolition. Neglect on the third floor had led to leaking causing extensive damage. A campaign was begun to save the unique structure, a rare example of the French Mansard style of architecture designed by Frank D. Marble, a member of the esteemed Marble Chair family. It was decided that a complete and authentic exterior restoration would take place keeping with the architect’s original plans wherever possible. For three years, fundraisers raced to match the financial needs of the ongoing project. The cupola, which had been removed years before for expediency, was replicated, built on the ground and in August of 1967, placed on the top of the building marking the completion of the restoration.
1970
The Society expands their holdings by purchasing the Old Church on the Square. The Old Church, built in 1893, is a Gothic Revival structure that served as a Baptist church for the local community. While the initial congregation moved locations, the Mt Horeb Apostolic Faith Church of God still conducts services to this day.
1973
The Society purchased the historic Hezekiah Dunham House rounding out their “campus”. The Dunham house (built in 1832) was the first Bedford home of Hezekiah Dunham and his wife Clarissa. Dunham purchased 100 acres of land in the center of Bedford and deeded strategic tracts to the community establishing the town square and the property on which the Museum now sits.
1982
Dick Squire publishes his first book, a series of reprints from his newspaper column, The Village Observer, titled Bedford Vignettes.
1984
The Dunham House is renovated by the Historical Society, restoring it to its authentic state.
1989
The former Bedford Baptist Church, now Historical Society Community building, underwent a facelift with repairs being made to metal, roofing, carpentry and paint to keep the old landmark secure for the next generation. The six-foot copper finial, a replica of the battered 1892 original, was set in place, the crowning capstone to the church restoration project.
1990
The Lyceum Program was created (now known as the Speaker Series) presenting historical topics on Bedford and the Northeast Ohio area eight times a year.
1993
Bedford Village Views is published by Dick Squire, a companion volume to his 1982 publication.
2002
Richard “Dick” Squire, director of the Society from 1961-2002, passes away leaving a legacy of devotion and service to his city and its historical significance.
2017
The October Spirit Walk began with volunteers acting as people buried in Bedford Cemetery for entertainment and education
2019
The Historical Society teams up with A Shadow of the Run LLC production for the world premiere of the immersive play Wanderlust – Chapter 1 by Beth McGee. The Society’s campus along with the historic train station and Bedford Falls, became the backdrop of a production loosely based on the infamous Torso Murders in Cleveland in the 1930’s.
2022
Betsy Squire Lee, daughter of founding member, Dick Squire, becomes Director of the Bedford Historical Society.