Westerville Historical Society 80th Anniversary

In the month before the entry of the United States into World War II, as our country looked out on a world locked in combat and danger on the horizon, prominent citizens of Westerville formed the Westerville Historical Society. A committee composed of leaders of all arenas of our community met, asked by Charles R. Bennett, President of the Hanby Memorial Association and head of Bennett Manufacturing, to form a local historical society. The idea bore fruit and early in November 1941, the society was formed and later in the month officers were elected to lead the new group. The president was Anti-Saloon Leaguer Boyd P. Doty. Other officers included City Manager Ross W. Shoemaker, Lester E. Pearl, Charles Bennett and Mary Alkire. Otterbein University science professor Dr. E. W. E. Schear served on the committee to explore the formation of the society and on its advisory council once it was organized. Mrs. J. R. King, H. B. Sowers of the Anti-Saloon League, and Mrs. Josephine Wilson completed the advisory council.

Boyd Doty

Within a few weeks Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. These civic leaders put their plans on hold and turned their attention to winning the conflict with efforts on the homefront. The Westerville Historical Society after its organization was inactive until the war ended. We want to recognize those active community leaders who formed this organization and who also helped guide the community through the years of World War II. Also all who came after them who worked to preserve and share the history of our town.