Historical Society

An integral part of Poland’s heritage is the building known today as the Little Red Schoolhouse which was built in 1858. The building is located at 4515 Center Rd. (Rt. 224) at the Struthers Rd. intersection. In 1915, the building ceased to function as a school, but it has continued to serve the community in various capacities. In the late 1970’s, the Poland Board of Education began to consider selling the building and property as it was no longer needed and had fallen into disrepair.

In 1979, the Poland Township Historical Society was formed in an effort to save Poland’s Little Red Schoolhouse. A lease agreement between the Historical Society and the Poland Local Board of Education was arranged for $1.00 per year for a period of 99 years, thus becoming the home of the newly formed Poland Historical Society. Poland is the only school district in Ohio to still have a one room brick schoolhouse.

Through the efforts of Society members, a Federal Grant was secured for restoration of the building along with numerous donations of time and money from the community. The building has qualified for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

Upcoming Events

January 29, 2018 - President William McKinley 175th Birthday Celebration

Poland residents are invited to help the Poland Historical Society celebrate President William McKinley's 175th Birthday on January 29, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Poland Village Town Hall, 308 S. Main St., Poland. After a brief ceremony, birthday cake and hot chocolate will be served. Paul McQueen will portray republican candidate William McKinley and read a portion of McKinley's speech which he gave when 300 Poland citizens visited him at his Canton home while campaigning for President in 1896.

McKinley was born January 29, 1843, to William and Nancy Allison McKinley in Niles, Ohio. The McKinley family moved to Poland, Ohio, in 1852 when William was nine years old because of Poland's reputation for excellent schools. He attended the Poland Academy, later called Poland Seminary, and graduated in 1859 on the site of the current Poland Middle School. In 1861, he volunteered for the Civil War at the age 18 and served with the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged as a Brevetted Major in 1865. He moved to Canton in 1867 and was elected Governor of Ohio in 1892. McKinley was elected the 25th President of the United States in 1896 and re-elected in 1900. On September 6, 1901, William McKinley, was shot by Leon Czolgosz on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition at the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. He died from infection from the gunshot wounds on September 14, 1901.

Additional information on the life of William McKinley will be shared during the ceremony.

NOW AVAILABLE !

The Poland Historical Society has REPRINTED the Poland Historical Highlights written by the Centennial Publication Committee and published in 1966 to commemorate the Poland Village centennial. This 190 page history book covers the history of Poland from 1796 - 1966. The book cost is $10.

The Poland Historical Society wrote and published a new 190 page history covering the last 50 years, Poland Historical Highlights 1966 - 2016 to commemorate the Poland Village Sesquicentennial, August 7, 2016. The book includes a 40 page, color center section and the cost is $15.

Both books can be purchased at The Village Pantry at 221 South Main Street or at Trolio's in the Poland Town 1 Plaza. It will also be available for sale at The Little Red Schoolhouse at meetings, programs and events. Click the CONTACT US tab if you have questions or would like to have the books shipped to you at a shipping and handling cost of $3.50 for each book.

Welcome to the Poland Township Historical Society