Road construction is taking place on Hayes Avenue outside Spiegel Grove, grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The property entrance, located on Buckland Avenue, remains open. - Author to discuss Ohio’s history as a leader in transportation, from boats to trains to cars
Learn how Ohio evolved from the days of canal boats and steamboats to railroads and interurbans to cars, highways and other modern travel during an author talk Saturday, May 9, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Dan Rager, Ph.D., will discuss his book, “Ohio: Gateway to America,” from 10 a.m. to noon in the museum auditorium. Admission is free.
Rager, an Emeritus professor of music, chronicles the step-by-step history of Ohio’s ground transportation system in his new book that covers 250 years of American Indian trails, stage coaches, taverns and inns, canals and locks, steamboats, railroads, interurbans, bicycles, motor bikes, automobiles, road development and beyond.
His presentation will bring to life Ohio’s history through photos, maps and detailed descriptions of past generations. His talk will explain how Ohio history transcended into the state has today.
Rager has dedicated 35 years as a distinguished music educator, composer and conductor. His expertise in wind and orchestral music has garnered him international acclaim as his compositions and published work reach audiences in more than 200 countries.
As an Ohio historian, he has published eight books on Ohio railroads, interurbans and recently, the state’s transportation history on all forms of traveling from America’s founding in 1776 to present day. This talk is part of Hayes Presidential’s America 250 celebration, which is partially funded by Albrechta & Liebold, Ltd., Attorneys at Law.
The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America’s first presidential library and the forerunner of the federal presidential library system. It is partially funded by the state of Ohio and affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove on Buckland Avenue.
For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org. Like Hayes Presidential on Facebook and follow on Instagram at rbhayespres and on Bluesky at rbhayespres.bsky.social.