Since 1974, the non-profit organization has been working hard to preserve the township’s history as well as its five villages and the Sandy and Beaver Canal. 

As president Joann Lucas explained while much of their historical treasures can be found in its museum, which is located adjacent to Hanoverton Hardware, 9939 state Route 9, not everything can be fit there due to space limitations.

The museum had been displaced from a building owned by the Ruritans, when it was sold in 2015. 

Artifacts from life throughout Hanover Township, including the village of Guilford, East Rochester, Dungannon, Kensington and Hanoverton, fill the museum’s walls. Collections include Columbiana County bridges, local genealogy, political and military collections, school memorabilia, cemetery location books for Columbiana County and much more. The society currently also has  a trailer on site containing much of its other finds that didn’t fit in its new location. 

Some displays within the Hanover Township Historical Society Museum revisit everything from military service, family life and employment in the medical field from the 1800s to current time. Some items also have been salvaged from school life at United Local School District before the recent demolition of the old school, explained society officials. (Photos by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Recently, as part of the three-day Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale, which the HTHD participates in as a fundraiser, Lucas perused a 2009 gold covered United Local All Class Reunion commemorative yearbook  from a visitor to Betz Park. The yearbook had been one of the 10 still missing from their archives, along with editions from 1975, 1981-1983, 2000, 2001 and 2010.

Dressed in informal society swag, both Lucas and society treasurer Janet Reeder expressed frustration about the lack of youth taking an interest in their history.

Their current membership is 10, as one-by-one they lose members due to aging.

Lucas explained, “Today’s younger generation just doesn’t seem to be interested, but I’ve been told they are out there.” 

Annual membership dues are $10 single, $15 for a couple or $5 each for a student. 

Some displays within the Hanover Township Historical Society Museum revisit everything from military service, family life and employment in the medical field from the 1800s to current time. Some items also have been salvaged from school life at United Local School District before the recent demolition of the old school, explained society officials. (Photos by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

There isn’t a huge commitment associated with membership, she added. 

The society meets monthly and like any typical group recaps happenings, plans future activities and goes over the treasurer’s report. Sometimes the group may have a guest speaker talking about history from shared interest, or the group may tour another community’s historical museum.

Their next big fundraising event is the sale of ham and bean soup with cornbread near Route 30 and Plymouth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of Canal Days. 

Although they would like to do more, Lucas reminds that more events wouldn’t be possible without more members.  If anyone is interesting in joining the historical society, call Lucas at 330-341-9476. 

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of the month year round. Between April and October, society hosts also are there on the third Saturday of the month at the museum, which is located at 9939 state Route 9. 

Some displays within the Hanover Township Historical Society Museum revisit everything from military service, family life and employment in the medical field from the 1800s to current time. Some items also have been salvaged from school life at United Local School District before the recent demolition of the old school, explained society officials. (Photos by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

This aisle display greets visitors to the Hanover Township Historical Society Museum, which is located adjacent to Hanoverton Hardware on state Route 9. Last year, the society celebrated its 50th anniversary with a strawberries and ice cream social with the public. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Some displays within the Hanover Township Historical Society Museum revisit everything from military service, family life and employment in the medical field from the 1800s to current time. Some items also have been salvaged from school life at United Local School District before the recent demolition of the old school, explained society officials. (Photos by Stephanie Ujhelyi)