Kent Historical Society Store

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If you're interested in Kent history or the history of Portage County you might find what you're looking for here.
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If you live nearby and wish to avoid paying shipping and handling call us to place your order and make an appointment for pick-up at the historical society, 237 E. Main St., Kent.
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Kent, The Early Years – DVD

Produced by the KHS. A short documentary on the building blocks of the Kent community including the importance of the Cuyahoga River, the Underground Railroad and slavery as well the coming of the canal and railroad, Davey Tree and ending with the founding of Kent Normal school.
15 minutes

$10.00

Kent in the 30's, A Film by Roscoe Hahn DVD

Films shot in the mid 1930s by local Kent resident Roscoe Hahn. Scenes include downtown Memorial Day parades, football, drum & bugle competitions at Brady Lake Amusement Park and a trip over the park in the Goodyear blimp. There is a wonderful scene of the park. 15 minutes

$6.00

Made in Kent, the Fageol Bros. & The Twin Coach Co. DVD

Video documentary by Bryan Hill. This video documents the history of the Fageol Bros. and their development of the Twin Coach bus company. The video traces the company from its early beginnings through WWII and eventually to its closing. Includes oral histories from former employee's and photos of the factory and the many busses produced by the company. 30 minutes.

$12.00

Railroad Town: Kent and the Erie Railroad

By Bruce Dzeda, 50 pages, fully illustrated, Kent Historical Society Press, published 2010
This profusely illustrated book traces the history of the Erie railroad from its inception as the A&GW railroad and the profound effect it had on the economy of the city of Kent. The book is filled with historical photos of the railroad from the early steam engines to the powerful diesels. The timeline tracks Marvin Kent's vision for the rail line through to the final days of passenger service as well as giving the reader a vivid picture of the many immigrants that settled in Kent and worked in the rail shops and the social impact they had on the city.
The book has over 60 historical photos, maps and illustrations that amplify Mr. Dzeda's wonderful narrative.

$20.00

Rooted in Kent: 101 Tales from the Tree City

By Roger J. Di Paolo, 2009, 278 pages, 101 articles, 130 photos, index Kent Historical Society Press ISBN 9781607251750 Paperback Di Paolo is editor of the Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier where his "Portage Pathways" is a weekly local history feature. This collection of 101 columns includes tales of Kent's early history, business and industry, crimes and the growth of its educational institutions, including Kent State University, and profiles many of its most prominent citizens. It includes 130 historical photographs.

$20.00

The History of Kent: Historical and Biographical.

By Karl H. Grismer, revised edition 2001, 320 pp, illus., index Kent Historical Society Publication (reprint of 1932 Record Publishing Co.) Softcover Contents include history of the area prior to the settlement of Franklin Mills through Kent's growth and includes detailed listings on its industries, churches, schools, military service records and a “who's who” list of profiles of leaders through 1931. If you're a student of Kent History this is a must-have.

$18.00

Images of America Kent, Ohio

By Michelle Tryon Wardle, 2005, 128 pages, illus. index Arcadia Publishing ISBN 0-7385-3381-5 Using archival photos and captions, the history of Kent is traced from its earliest 19th century images through the end of the 20th century including major events and personalities. A great companion book for Grismer's, History of Kent.

$20.00

The Story of Kent, Ohio

By James Caccamo, 2000, 50 pages Kent Historical Society Publication A brief history of Kent's important events from its native American heritage and early settlers through the Underground Railroad and the changes that turned a small town called Franklin Mills into the city of Kent. This paperback is written for elementary students in grades 2-4.

$9.00

Portage Pathways

By Loris C. Troyer, 1998, 362 pages, illus. index Kent State University Press ISBN 0-87338- 600-0 Hardcover Troyer joined the Ravenna-Kent Record Courier in 1936 and eventually served as its editor and executive editor. After his retirement he wrote a weekly historical column entitled “Portage Pathways” on topics ranging from historical landmarks and events to eminent or interesting people to politics, society, and the value of recording local history. This book collects over 140 of his most memorable essays, illustrated with historical photographs.

$20.00

Recollections of an Old Settler

By Christian Cackler, fifth reprint, 52 pages, photos, index, Roger Thurman Publisher. This is the fifth printing of Christian Cackler's memories which first appeared in print in 1874, four years prior to his death. Cackler wrote this first published memoir of the area around what is now Kent, from the early 1800s which included portraits of native americans, the difficulty of the early life of the settlers and prominent families including the Haymakers, Kents and the abolitionist John Brown.

$12.00

Haunting Tales from the Tree City

56 pages, illus. ISBN 978-1-60725-176-7) An all new edition (2012) of this popular book. Many new ghostly stories have been added. A collection of unexplained ghostly happening as recounted by Kent residents who experienced them or have heard of these “sightings”. From the ghost at Ray's bar to the tales of the beautiful wife who died in a fire, these stories are spookylishish tales from the Tree City.

$10.00

Kent State University Athletics

By Cara Gilgenbach & Theresa Walton, 2008. 128 pages, illus. index Arcadia Publishing The author's trace the history of sports at Kent during the school's first century of growth from its founding in 1910 as a teacher's training college into a major public university including a number of outstanding athletes, teams and coaches. Photos with captions.

$20.00

Kent and the Great War, The Letters of Leo Bietz (1918-1919)

143 pages, illus. index, Kent Historical Society Press, 2008 (ISBN 9781607251743) The actual letters of Kent resident Leo Bietz to his friends and family have been transcribed covering the period of time when he was drafted in 1918, while he drove an ambulance in France until he returned home to the family business in 1919. Photos, some in full color.

$15.00

1924 Kent Congregational Church Cook Book

82 pages, illus . Kent Historical Society Publication, 2008 (ISBN 978160725143) A reprint of the original cookbook published by the Circle “C” Ladies' Union of Kent's Congregational Church in 1924 with 300 of their favorite recipes with vintage advertisements from the period.

$10.00

Politician Extraordinaire: The Tempestuous Life & Times of Martin L. Davey

By Frank P. Vazzano, 2008, 322 pp, illus., index Kent State University Press ISBN 9780873389204 Hardcover. This political biography marks the first full treatment of Kent's own native son, Martin L. Davey. An important figure in the early decades of the twentieth century, Davey served as mayor of Kent, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and completed two terms as Ohio governor. The book includes descriptions of his life from dutiful son to founder of the Davey Tree Company.

$40.00

Portage County Ohio Timeline 1669-2007

(Connecticut Western Reserve State of Ohio County of Portage) By Wayne Enders, 2009, 120 plus pages. A truly unique way to view the history of Portage County, Ohio as they parallel many of the major events occurring at the same time around the world. Each of the communities within the county are represented by many of the major events and personalities that shaped their growth. A wonderful learning tool for school aged children.

$20.00