Bedford Historical Society

Archives: Museum Personnel

  • Jack Dragga

    Jack Dragga

    Jack is a graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in art with an emphasis in Photography. He is also self-taught in Video Production where he has won 5 bronze Telly Awards for his work. A Bedford resident since the mid 1980’s, Jack decided to volunteer at the Bedford Historical Society after having retired. He brings with him his love of history. He has created many documentaries for The International Buster Keaton Society and is the author of Buster’s extensive filmography in the book “Buster Keaton: Cut to the Chase” by Marion Mead as well as helping with research for the BBC/PBS documentary “Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow.”. He became a volunteer in 2021 helping with research and updating exhibits and soon became the Curator in charge of creating new exhibits.

    “One thing I have learned doing research is that history isn’t always pretty and to ignore it or bury it is the same as saying it never happened.”

  • Betsy Lee

    Betsy Lee

    Betsy was born and raised on Palmetto Avenue in Bedford, where she now resides. Being the daughter of Dick Squire, founder of the museum, she was involved with the Museum from the beginning. A Bedford High School graduate, she raised two daughters and subsequently has 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. In 1980 she began working for the Bureau of Workers Compensation in Columbus and transferred to the Cleveland office allowing her to move back to Bedford. In September of 2004, she retired from Workers Compensation as a Claims Supervisor. She got involved in the Strawberry Festival, eventually becoming chair of the event. She became a Bedford Historical Society Trustee and became President of the Board. On July 1, 2022 she became Director.

    “My father’s passion has become mine.”

  • John Coyne

    John Coyne

    John has been a resident of Bedford since 2010. He and his husband, Ryan, enjoy their river view home on Union Street with their dog Dolly Mae.  John grew up in Medina, Ohio, and is a graduate of Hiram College.  He has 10 years of corporate experience, working five years for a start-up telecommunications company and five years in the e-learning department of Ernst & Young.  In 2005 he rebooted his career to work for nonprofit organizations.  His experience includes the Beck Center for the Arts, Red {an orchestra}, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Hiram College, and the ALS Association. He currently works as the director of advancement for Ohio Guidestone, Ohio’s largest provider of behavioral health services.  John currently serves on the board of the CAN Journal (Collective Arts Network), and his past board experience includes the Hiram College Alumni Executive Board, the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, the Independent College Advancement Associates, and the Bedford Downtown Alliance. He enjoys travel, throwing themed parties, and dining with friends and family.

    We landed in Bedford simply by chance – looking for a place to live where we could split our long commutes.  We quickly fell in love with the charm of Bedford’s historic downtown and the various events hosted on the square.  That lead us to sprout roots and purchase our home in Bedford, making a commitment to stick around for a while.  I want to see our chosen hometown community thrive, and am excited to help the Bedford Historical Society play a key role in the revitalization of our beautiful downtown. 

  • Laura O’Neill

    Laura O’Neill

    Laura’s ties to Bedford go back to her grandparents, who all lived in Bedford.  Her Mom and Dad were both born in Bedford homes and lived in the city their entire lives.  Laura graduated from Bedford High School and went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Marketing and MBA in Finance from Cleveland State University.  Laura retired in 2020 after 23 years working in her own business managing non-profit associations.  In her spare time, Laura enjoys her grandchildren and loves visiting National Parks.

    “We are fortunate to live near the Bedford Reservation, one of two reservations of which Brecksville is the second, that fall within the boundaries of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in Ohio.”

  • Richard “Rick” Backo

    Richard “Rick” Backo

    Rick was born in Cleveland in 1959 but moved to Bedford when he was three.  A 1977 graduate of Bedford High School, Rick went on to Edinboro State College in Pennsylvania where he received his bachelor’s in fine arts in Drawing and Painting in 1981.  He returned to Bedford where he married Christine in 1984 and they raised their three children.  Rick worked for the City of Bedford in the Recreation Department, retiring in 2016.  His dear wife Christine passed away in 2020, but Rick remains in Bedford on South Circle where the beauty of the Bedford Metroparks surrounds him.  He is currently an active volunteer at the museum and keeps up with his artwork doing watercolors and acrylics of many subjects including Bedford, nature and recently portraits of people’s pets.  Rick’s artwork can be seen on the intersections of Columbus, Warrensville and Broadway, having been selected by the city to beautify utility boxes.

    “After college, my many visits to the Bedford Museum and frequent talks with Dick Squire piqued my interest in the rich history of this town.  I started including the history in my artwork, doing several “historical recreations” from old photos of Bedford landmarks that no longer exist.  I have been very fortunate to have been raised in Bedford where the beauty of the Bedford Reservation, the city’s history and the people have been such a major influence on my life and my art.”

  • Richard Spitalsky

    Richard Spitalsky

    Richard Spitalsky comes from a long line of Bedford residents.  He was born in Bedford Hospital and grew up exploring the Bedford Reservation, where his love for nature first took root. He is a passionate photographer, historian and creative writer who finds endless inspiration in the landscapes and stories of his hometown. He is also an active member of a local band, performing throughout Cleveland and with his wife, Ashley. 

    “My grandfather’s stories of coming to Bedford to ride horses in the late 1930’s and dancing with my grandmother at the Glens in the 40’s give me a very personal feel for the history of Bedford.”

  • Kelly Denk

    Kelly Denk

    Kelly grew up in Bedford and did all things Bedford; learned to swim at the Bedford Pool, lifeguarded several summers there, took dance at Lauray’s Studio of Dance, graduated from Lumen Cordium High School, bought her first car on The Bedford Auto mile and worshipped at St Mary’s parish (still do!).

    “To me, Bedford is and will always be home.  It’s childhood and memories; it’s my parents and my lifelong friends.  It’s comfort and solidity.  No matter where I go, Bedford is Central (like my grade school!)”

  • Marilyn Berry

    Marilyn Berry

    Marilyn’s great-grandmother was born in Bedford in 1884 but it wasn’t until her maternal grandparents moved here from Cleveland that they became true residents.  Born and raised in Bedford, Marilyn graduated from Lumen Cordium High School in 1985 and is proud to have been part of building APEC Engineering along with her husband and two sons, in their family-owned business in the old YMCA on Northfield Road. 

    “For me Bedford has always been about relationships.  I still see people from my days at the pool, working at the playgrounds, student teaching at the high school, coaching little league, hanging out at DePompei’s, and now working alongside friends, old and new, at the Bedford Historical Society to write the next chapter in Bedford’s history.”

  • Patrick Barham

    Patrick Barham

    Patrick Barham moved to Ohio in 2017 and has called Bedford home since 2020. Originally from Missouri, Patrick works as a consultant. He and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of Gabby, Jayden, and their baby daughter, Jasmine. They derive great pleasure from residing adjacent to Taft Park and exploring the historic charm of downtown Bedford.

  • Jim Harding

    Jim was an attorney in Bedford for 44 years until retiring in 2018. He has been involved with the Bedford Historical Society since the 1970s, following in the footsteps of his mentor, the late Judge Ralph Bell, who was one of the original founders, along with Dick Squire. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for over 30 years and acts as unofficial legal counsel for the Society. An avid traveler, Jim explores the world to observe how other societies live in their own communities. 

    “The Bedford Historical Society is an important part of the Bedford community, showing how our local society has evolved, and where we come from. One can’t appreciate where we are or what we have, without knowing how we got here. I am excited that we are embracing the digital age and putting the Museum’s content and exhibits online, for virtual visits from anywhere. This expands our reach and lets everyone know the wealth of information and history that we have to offer.”