Hoover Museum Celebrates 35 Years of Preserving Hoover History

Walsh University's Hoover Historical Center marks its 35th anniversary this summer and will provide a souvenir magnet to all visitors during the month of August. The Hoover Historical Center's mission is to honor the Hoover legacy by preserving the rich heritage of The Hoover Company.
On August 8, 1978, the museum opened as part of festivities celebrating Hoover's 70th anniversary. The "home for Hoover history" provided the public with free tours of the Hoover family's 1853 Victorian farm house and a primitive building called the Tannery. In 2004, Walsh University was the recipient of the Hoover family homestead which included the Historical Center and the approximately 35-acres of Hoover Park. The donation of the Park and museum currently comprise Walsh University's north campus, which also includes an expanse of athletic fields for the Walsh Cavaliers.
The Center continues to preserve Hoover archives and memorabilia, as well as providing tours throughout the entire farmhouse and Tannery. Visitors view Victorian furnishings and Hoover family photographs and keepsakes. 
Visitors are briefed by museum docents regarding Hoover family history and can view 30 primitive, manual cleaners that depict the evoluiton of cleaning devices before touring the Victorian farmhouse. The museum also displas the history of the Hoover vacuum cleaner business. Many displays offer hands-on interactive opportunities.
On display are vintage Hoover products and advertising, Company and family memorabilia, vintage ladies' fashions, war memorabilia, as well as pictures of Hoover Company floats built through the partnering of Hoover employees and retirees from 1992-99, had been displayed in the lobby of The Hoover Company.  "Anyone who has never been to the Center - or hve not been here in a couple of years, really would find the information interesting and presented in a unique way," says operatons coordinator Ann Haines adding, "This wonderful example of Victorian architecture and decor provieds a beautiful backdrop for Hoover history."  Free tours are conducted hourly, 1-4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; although donations are graciously accepted. Group tours require reservations and are encouraged weekday mornings to keep the groups private and enhance their experience of the Hoover legacy.  A Gift Shoppe offers souvenirs and through summer months, scenic gardens welcome visitors which are cared for y the devoted members of The Herb Society at the Hoover Historical Center. The museum is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and has on Ohio Historical Marker.
For more information, call the Center at 330-499-0287 or email ahaines@walsh.edu. The Center is located at 1875 East Maple Street in North Canton.