SHELBY — In the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary, Shelby Cycle Historical Society announced Monday it has received a Trillium Local Activity Grant.
The $5,000 grant from the America 250-Ohio Commission is for the upcoming project titled, “Ohio Firsts – The Shelby Steel Tube Company.”
The project is one of 61 community-based projects funded through the America 250-Ohio Commission’s second round of grants totaling $600,000.
Through fires, wars, depressions and mergers, the nation’s first cold-drawn steel tube company still produces seamless tubing in Shelby, Ohio, 133 years later as ArcelorMittal.
In the 1880s, seamless tubing was imported from Europe. Bicycle manufacturers in Toledo and Cleveland brought the technology to America.
In 1890, the Lozier-Yost Seamless Tube Company/Shelby Steel Tube Company, was formed in Shelby.
The town, just a crossroads with a flour mill, nevertheless, was viewed as a prime location with two rail lines and supportive businessmen who raised funding to bring the factory to town.
Traveling self-guided exhibit
A traveling self-guided exhibit throughout Ohio with interpretive panels containing QR codes linked to websites will recount the beginning of the seamless tube industry from 1890-1909.
The period includes founders and factory construction, expansion into a steel trust, as well as the 1908 fire that destroyed the factory, and the monumental community effort to quickly rebuild the factory.
“The Shelby Cycle Historical Society is excited to tell the story of the first seamless tube factory in America, established in Shelby, Ohio,” said Christina Yetzer Drain, president of the society and project director.
“American-made seamless tubing was critical in making affordable bicycles, airplanes and automobiles in the early 20th Century. The factory has a fascinating history, and the history deserves to be celebrated,” she said.
Several ArcelorMittal employees will volunteer their time to the project. Ashley Canfield, Cory Myers, Tony Slone and Mike McLaughlin collectively have more than 100 years employment with ArcelorMittal.
In addition, members of the Shelby Historical Society and Richland County – Shelby Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will assist in the project.
Shelby one of 61 grant recipients
The Trillium Local Activity Grants may include exhibitions, interpretative panels, local commemorative programs or activities, local public events, educational, public programs and smaller digital and documentary media projects.
“The America 250-Ohio Commission congratulates the Shelby Cycle Historical Society on this grant award. Their efforts in educating the public and honoring Ohio’s illustrious history are deeply appreciated,” said Doug Preisse, co-chair of the America 250-Ohio Commission.
“As we near America’s 250th anniversary, these projects will play an essential role in elevating our state’s history and bolstering our communities’ efforts to execute impactful initiatives during such a monumental celebration,” he said.
The Shelby Cycle Historical Society was one of the 61 recipients chosen from more than 170 statewide applications during the grant program’s spring 2024 funding cycle.
In total, America 250-Ohio awarded approximately $600,000 in grants to communities and organizations across Ohio as part of the commission’s second funding cycle.
Combined with the approximately $400,000 in grants awarded in January 2024, the America 250-Ohio Commission grants program has worked with Ohio Humanities to
distribute $1 million in grants to 84 organizations across the state.
The grant program was designed to showcase the achievements, struggles, honors, innovations and significance of all people in Ohio since before its founding to the present day.
Themes identified for Ohio’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary programming include:
— Celebrations and Signature Events: Impacting tourism and economic development
— Ohio Originals: Highlighting points of pride and unity
— Engaging Youth and Lifelong Learners: Education and scholarship
— Inclusive Statewide Engagement: Museums, arts and culture
— Telling Ohio Stories: Highlighting stories of Ohioans past and present
To learn more about the America 250-Ohio Commission’s grants program visit America250-Ohio.org/grants.