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As weather becomes more pleasant and the urge to be out of doors and go for a walk increases, one of the premiere places to consider is the Union Cemetery. With the winding terrain, lovely landscaping and historic structures it is truly a peaceful and pleasant experience. One of the structures you will want to be sure to see is the Receiving Vault stone building, one of four historical buildings on the register. It features a high-pitched slate roof and buttressed walls of sandstone, and is of Anglo-Saxon chapel design with a modified Gothic stone entrance designed by W.J. Archer in 1888.

The Hetty Elizabeth Beatty Questers are currently in the process of restoring the building.
In the last several years they have restored the historic first office building at Union Cemetery and installed a grave stone for Hetty Elizabeth Beatty, who with her husband Rev. Dr. C.C. Beatty founded the Female Seminary in Steubenville.
The quester group have held many fund raisers, but are still in need of additional funds to complete their project.
If you are interested in contributing please send to HEB Questers, c/o Pugliese Charitable Foundation, P.O. 2620, Wintersville, OH 43953.
Donations are tax deductible.

The Dean Martin Festival, one of Steubenville’s most popular events, has been canceled for 2020. Since the restrictions from the state are still uncertain for June and considering that this event is heavily attended and brings visitors from around the country, and even some from outside the country, the organizers have decided it would be prudent to cancel the festival for this year.

Historic Fort Steuben’s Ohio Valley Frontier Days originally scheduled for the weekend of June 6-7 has been postponed until late August or early September, as a precaution for the safety of the vendors, visitors, volunteers and staff.

The 2020 Greek Fest hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Festival and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church has been rescheduled from June to October 7th, 8th, & 9th.

Historic Fort Steuben Summer Concerts, as of now, are still expected to be held, however, the start date is slated to be mid-June and the number of concerts to be held has been reduced to seven. They also plan to make adjustments which will enable ‘social distancing’ for those attending.

The Downtown Steubenville Farmers’ Market will be open June 25th through October 29th, with state COVID19 regulations implemented.

We all look forward to our lives returning to ‘normal’ and enjoying our favorite events and activities. In the meantime stay strong and safe and know that better days are indeed coming!

Instead of reporting a list of cancellations or postponements, here are the things coming up that we are looking forward to, and that have not been cancelled.  (As of now)

At Fort Steuben Berkman Amphitheater the Summer Concert Series kicks off on Memorial Day, May 25, then continues every Thursday evening May 28^th through July 30.  The schedule is being finalized and the list of acts should soon be available.

Also at the Fort, the annual Ohio Valley Frontier Days, when Historic Fort Steuben is filled with soldiers, Native Americans, craft vendors, food vendors, live music and more, is scheduled for June 6-7, 2020.

Historic Fort Steuben is again offering two sessions of the Summer Youth Education Program, Session One being June 8^th-12^th; and Session Two is from July 13^th-17^th.

The 2020 Greek Fest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be taking place from June 16^th – 19^th, and is always a favorite for everyone.

June also brings the celebration of the Dean Martin Festival, this year including a street fair and being hosted by The Spot Bar.  The dates for the Festival are set for June 19^th-21^st.

The Downtown Steubenville Farmers’ Market kicks off this year on June 25^th and is open every Thursday through October 29^th.

Steubenville’s 4^th of July Celebration takes place this year on Thursday, July 2^nd, at Historic Fort Steuben Park.

From August 18^th through 23^rd there will be the annual Jefferson County Fair, at Friendship Park. 

Later on, in the fall, at Historic Fort Steuben Visitor Center Constitution Days takes place from September 7^th through 19^th and Riverboats on the Ohio Exhibit & Program will run from October 4^th – 17^th.

In early September, the 43^rd Annual Festival of the Arts will take place in the Downtown City Commons, Toronto.  Date to be announced.

Then, of course, the Nutcrackers return with Steubenville Lights up the Night on Tuesday November 24^th and the Nutcracker Village & Advent Market with Christmas Wonderland runs from November 27^th through January 2^nd, 2021. 

There are sure to be many more events coming up also, including those that are being rescheduled because of the current health situation.   As more events and dates are released, we will be sure to update you on this website on the calendar and also in the Visitor Center’s Events Email Newsletter, sent out bi-monthly. 

So think ahead and let’s all look forward to better and fun times — ‘Coming Soon’ to a location near you!!

The Women’s History Month Exhibit opened today, March 2^nd at Historic Fort Steuben Visitor Center and as part of celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, Historic Fort Steuben invites speakers of all ages to give a 2-minute soap box speech for or against the cause as it might have been presented in the early 1900’s.

The Soap Box will be available any time, but they particularly invite speakers to present their speech on Saturday, March 7^th.  Participants can schedule a specific time and invite others to attend and listen as well.   Although dressing for the part is not required, it would add to the event.    They have signs and period hats as well as an appropriate backdrop for photos. 

For teachers, there is a lesson plan available that can be used to prepare students to participate.

An exhibit from Ohio History Connection on the development and effects of the 19^th Amendment will be on display from March 2-9 .  It was developed so the centennial could be celebrated in all corners of the state and to give a platform for the diverse women of Ohio history to speak.  Most of the exhibit is derived from the women’s own words, so people like Harriet Taylor Upton are telling about their personal experiences.

The exhibit on notable women from Steubenville and Ohio will be on display from March 2 – 13.

To schedule a talk or for more information:

 Call 740.283.1787 or email info@oldfortsteuben.com .

One hundred years ago, on August 26, women of the United States celebrated the final ratification of the 19^th Amendment giving women the right to vote.  This year Historic Fort Steuben commemorates that achievement with an exhibit entitled Ohio Women Vote: 100 Years of Change which will be on display from March 2-9, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm or by appointment. An additional exhibit on Women of Steubenville and Ohio will continue until March 13.

This exhibit produced by the Ohio History Connections and Ohio Humanities Council brings the movement up to date. It not only celebrates the efforts of the women who worked for the right to vote, but also highlights the century of women’s activism that followed.

To bring the exhibit to life, girls and women, who visit the exhibit, are invited to get their pictures taken carrying Women’s Suffrage signs before a panorama of 1910 Steubenville. Students are encouraged to develop a three-minute ‘soap box speech’ to be presented when they visit.

The Ohio History Connection exhibit consists of twelve panels and poses thoughtful questions (such as “What does it mean to be a woman?” and “What does voting give you the power to do?”) to historic and contemporary Ohio women in activism. Their answers help the viewer learn that the 19th Amendment was not the end of women’s activism; it was the beginning. Voting enabled women to further their education, pursue careers, change laws, create social service and cultural organizations, and run for office themselves. 

Women’s  right to vote is something taken for granted today. But when our national government was first formed, women did not have that right.  It took over 130 years for the dream of equal voting rights for women to become a reality but not without real struggles. In the days before automobiles, airplanes, telephones and computers, women traveled the country giving lectures, printing leaflets, organizing protests and parades. The efforts and dedication were incredible.

Many of the suffragettes, as they were called, were also active in the movement to end slavery which was finally achieved with the 13^th Amendment in 1865. Many of the methods used to promote abolition were then applied to the equal voting rights efforts.

Voting was only part of the issue. Women could not own property in their own name if they were married. They could not leave an abusive husband who had all the property in his name. Women were often considered property rather than equal human beings.

The Nineteenth Amendment was passed by Congress in 1919. Ohio was the fifth state to ratify the amendment on June 16, 1919.

Visitors are invited to view the exhibit of Women’s History Month at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center, 120 S. 3^rd Street, Steubenville. For more information call 740-283-1787.

Historic Fort Steuben will again be offering the Sweetheart Chocolate Walk, on Saturday, February 15th from 10:00am to 4:00pm in downtown Steubenville.

The process is simple. Purchase a $20 ticket which will entitle the holder to a chocolate treat at each of the participating businesses. After visiting each site, participants will drop off their stamped tickets at the Visitor Center to be eligible for a drawing for a Dinner for Two at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern .

Each business chooses the kind of chocolate treat it will offer so there should be a nice variety to take home. Although there is one treat per ticket offered at each site, a couple or family can participate by sharing the goodies. Many of the sites have additional bargains, too.

Tickets and maps should be obtained at the Visitor Center as soon as possible. Tickets can be reserved by calling 740.283.1787.

Here are the treats offered:

At the Visitor Center: fudge from Renee’s Confections.

Antique Warehouse: Chocolate Candy plus $2 off jar candles/ 10% off sales over $20.

Yorgo’s: Greek pastry.

Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe: Chocolate nutcrackers.

Leonardo’s Coffeeshop: 8oz Hot Chocolate drink.

Steubenville Popcorn Co: Chocolate Popcorn.

BookMarx Bookstore: Chocolate Cupcakes.

The Prodigal Daughter Treasures & Trinkets: Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Ohio Valley Handmades: Cracker Candy plus 20% off store-wide.

Froehlich’s Classic Corner: Buckeyes plus Chocolate Martinis $5 (over 21).

Urban Frontier: Homemade Truffles and hot chocolate.

Elite Pro Coaching: Sugar free, low carb chocolate fluff plus app offers.

The Awards for the 2019 Steubenville Christmas Parade were presented today at the Steubenville Visitor Center and are as follows:-

Non Float Category: 1st Place – Eastern Construction and Excavating; 2nd Place – Steubenville Aladdin Shrine Motor Patrol; 3rd Place – Harding Middle School Band.

Float Category: 1st Place – Boy Scouts of America, Ohio River Valley Council; 2nd Place – First Choice America Federal Credit Union; 3rd Place – Wells Academy-Steubenville City Schools.

Grand Prize: McKinley STEM Academy.

Mayor’s Award: Grand Theater Restoration.

A very special THANK YOU to the many who came to the ceremony today and to all the parade participants who braved the rain on parade day and “Came Anyway” with their extraordinary entries. Their hard work and zeal made the parade a wonderful success and brought joy to many people.

Thank You also to our judges who had the most difficult job of choosing the winners — Beth Rupert-Warren, representing the Kiwanis; Domenick Mucci, representing the Lions Club; and Michael Mehalik, representing the Rotary Club. Good Job!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL FOR THE 2020 PARADE!!

In spite of the inclement weather, the 2019 Steubenville Sights and Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic Parade went off with 85 of its 105 entries. We are so grateful for all the faithful participants who showed up, rain gear and all, and put all that extra effort in not letting the day ‘dampen’ their spirits. We are also grateful to the spectators who braved the weather with umbrellas in hand and the attitude of that old saying, “You won’t rain on our parade”. 

We had five great bands, a large variety of creative and very impressive floats, high school homecoming queens, decorated vehicles, walkers, dogs, horses, dance group, the trolley with Steubenville city employees, a beautiful surrey drawn by an equally beautiful black horse carrying representatives of the this year’s Grand Marshal, Steubenville City Schools, and more.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

If you wish to participate in the Sights and Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic 2019 parade on December 14th at noon in downtown Steubenville we need to get your parade application now. The deadline has been extended to November 15th at 4:00pm. No late fee will be charged if we receive your application by then. The parade has grown in attendance and size over the past few years, so if you want to be a part of the fun and excitement the time to respond is NOW!

Call: Mary @ 740.283.4935 or email: mary@visitsteubenville.com

The Sights and Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic Parade will be sponsored this year by Team Automotive Group. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Steubenville Visitor Center on Friday by Judy Bratten and Mary Snyder of the Visitor Center and Justin Teramana from Team Automotive.

“Team Automotive has made a commitment to the community as part of its business plan,” Teramana explained. “We are pleased to be the title sponsor of this very special event during the holiday season.”

“Thanks” to Team Automotive for their support, as well as the additional sponsorship from Trinity Medical System.   It is wonderful that the sponsors appreciate the parade’s importance to the community and wish to ensure it continues. 

There has been considerable interest this year from entrants who have never been in the parade before. It is always nice to have new faces and this also is a good indication that the scope of the parade is broadening.   

There have been quite a number of applications requested which have not yet been returned and we have not yet heard from some of our ‘regular’ participants.  If you or your organization wish to participate in the parade this year, now is the time to act.     It is a major undertaking to organize the parade, to be sure all the units know where to line up, and to prepare the information for broadcasting so we need those entry forms as soon as possible.

The parade will again be televised live by WTOV9/Fox9 and will include bands, dance troupes, floats, all sorts of vehicles, walking groups, animals, and more. There will be prizes for the most creative floats and entries.

The parade will begin at North Street and continue down Fourth Street to South Street. As the grand finale, Santa will come into town in a unique Steel Tanker Sleigh and greet all those along the route.

For application forms and more information call the Visitor Center at 740-283-4935 or email: mary@visitsteubenville.com