Dayton History recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary as Dayton’s premiere historic preservation organization. In that time, the group says visits to Dayton History sites like Carillon Park, the Paul Lawrence Dunbar House, and other sites have increased by 185 percent. Dayton History Memberships have more than doubled and revenues are up by 340 percent.
President and CEO Brady Kress says that while they’ve accomplished a lot in the last ten years, they’re looking at goals for the next ten.
“It is our vision for Carillon Park to make it a true destination, so that we can create memorable experiences while telling these amazing stories that have happened in the Dayton region," he said.
Kress says a newly proposed $25 million growth plan for the Carillon Site includes a working train circling the 65-acre grounds, an expansion of the Kettering Family Education Center on site and possible reproduction of the Dayton Arcade building.
See highlights of the last decade below (provided by Dayton History), and you can here the full interview with Brady Kresshere.
Highlights from the past 10 years of Dayton History:
- 2005: DH acquires NCR Archives.
- 2007: DH begins interpreting Hawthorn Hill + DH is tasked to safeguard Kettering-Moraine Museum's artifacts.
- 2009: DH secures and expands the operations of Paul Laurence Dunbar House.
- 2010: DH begins to oversee the Old Court House + DH builds Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship, including animatronics and the Carousel of Dayton Innovation + DH begins overseeing Memorial Hall.
- 2011: DH creates History on the Hill: 20-acres of wooded walking trails.
- 2013: DH opens Great 1913 Flood exhibit.
- 2014: DH opens Carillon Brewing Company: the first brewery in a museum.
- 2015: DH acquires Patterson Homestead + DH takes over daily operations of the National Aviation Hall of Fame at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.