Storied Ground

WGTE Public Media

Travel in any direction throughout Northwest Ohio, and it won’t be long before you come upon a historical marker of some kind. Since the latter nineteenth century, thousands of such markers, from grand monuments to humble plaques, have been dedicated by communities across Northwest Ohio to commemorate the people, places, and events that have shaped the history and identity of our region. Yet so familiar a sight have these markers now become that, regardless of their form, they often go largely unnoticed, blending into the routine patina of our environments, silently bearing witness to a remarkable past that is slowly fading in our local memory. In this podcast series, we’ll endeavor to encounter Northwest Ohio’s historical markers anew, using them as our guides to rediscovering the presence of the past everywhere around us in all its diversity and complexity. With the help of community members and historians, we’ll celebrate the extraordinary history and unique character of our region while transcending stereotypical narratives of Rust Belt decline and Midwestern provincialism. This is the history of Northwest Ohio. Have Questions? Email Us with any questions you may have. We're here to help!

Episodes

  1. Jun 24

    The Wyandotte (Part Five)

    This episode of Storied Ground marks the conclusion of a series on the history of the Wyandotte people in Ohio, from their arrival in the early eighteenth century, to their removal later in the nineteenth century, to their extraordinary return in the present day. With guest experts Chris Houk, Lifeways Researcher at the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma’s Culture Center & Museum, and historian Dr. Mary Stockwell, author of the book The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Sources for This Episode: "Departure of the Wyandot Indians." Historical Marker Database. Marker erected 1999 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Longaberger Company, City of Upper Sandusky, and the Ohio Historical Society. Last revised November 10, 2025. Accessed February 5, 2026. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=287707. Divine, Jr., Lloyd E. On the Back of a Turtle: A Narrative of the Huron-Wyandot People. Trillium, 2019. Foreman, Grant. The Last Trek of the Indians. University of Chicago Press, 1946. The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, Containing a History of the County: Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc. Leggett, Conaway, 1884. Garcia, Joshua, Kim Garcia, and Chris Houk. Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma presentations at “Beyond the Battlefield and St. Clair’s Defeat: Connecting with Tirbal Nations Today,” Fort Recovery, Ohio. Recorded by Nick Pavlik. October 19, 2024. Houk, Chris. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded Zoom interview. May 20, 2024. Ohio History Connection. “8-88 The Wyandot Removal Trail / Upper Sandusky (July 11, 1843).” Remarkable Ohio. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://remarkableohio.org/marker/8-88-the-wyandot-removal-trail-upper-sandusky-july-11-1843/ Sahǫtrędutęʔ (They Sing Again), Wyandotte Nation. Performance at Stepping Stones Park, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Recorded by Nick Pavlik. June 2, 2024. Sauer, Nancy. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at Wyandot Mission Church, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. June 2, 2024. Slemenda, Jack. “Indigenous People’s History Told through the Folds of Historic Ohio Newspapers.” OHIO Archives: News from Archives & Special Collections at Ohio University Libraries, January 27, 2025. https://sites.ohio.edu/library-archives-blog/2025/01/27/jour-4130-historic-ohio-newspapers/ Squire Grey Eyes. “Farewell Address.” PDF document. John Stewart United Methodist Church. Accessed March 11, 2026. http://www.johnstewartumc.com/uploads/2/3/0/3/2303249/squire_grey_eyes_farewell_address_e.pdf Stockwell, Mary. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at WGTE Studios, Toledo, Ohio. May 29, 2024. Stockwell, Mary. The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Westholme Publishing, 2015.

  2. Jun 10

    The Wyandotte (Part Four)

    This episode of Storied Ground is part four of a series on the history of the Wyandotte people in Ohio, from their arrival in the early eighteenth century, to their removal later in the nineteenth century, to their extraordinary return in the present day. With guest experts Chris Houk, Lifeways Researcher at the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma’s Culture Center & Museum, and historian Dr. Mary Stockwell, author of the book The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Sources for This Episode: Cass, Lewis. “Removal of the Indians.” North American Review (January 1830): 62-121. The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, Containing a History of the County: Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc. Leggett, Conaway, 1884. Houk, Chris. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded Zoom interview. May 20, 2024. Jackson, Andrew. "Second Annual Message." December 6, 1830. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley. The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/second-annual-message-3. Stockwell, Mary. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at WGTE Studios, Toledo, Ohio. May 29, 2024. Stockwell, Mary. The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Westholme Publishing, 2015. U.S. Congress. House. Memorial of the Ladies of Steubenville, Ohio, against the Forcible Removal of the Indians without the Limits of the United States. 21st Cong., 1st sess., 1830. H. Rep. 209. American Antiquarian Society. Reprinted in Teach US History. Accessed October 16, 2025. https://www.teachushistory.org/indian-removal/resources/petition-ladies-steubenville-oh-against-indian-removal. Walker, William, et al. "Report of the Wyandott Exploring Delegation." December 15, 1831. In J. Orin Oliphant, ed., "The Report of the Wyandot Exploring Delegation, 1831," Kansas Historical Quarterly 14, no. 3 (August 1947): 253–58.

  3. May 27

    The Wyandotte (Part Three)

    This episode of Storied Ground is part three of a series on the history of the Wyandotte people in Ohio, from their arrival in the early eighteenth century, to their removal later in the nineteenth century, to their extraordinary return in the present day. With guest experts Chris Houk, Lifeways Researcher at the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma’s Culture Center & Museum, and historian Dr. Mary Stockwell, author of the book The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Sources for This Episode: Baughman, A. J., ed. Past and Present of Wyandot County, Ohio: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement. 2 vols. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1913. Cheever, George Barrell. The Removal of the Indians: An Article from the American Monthly Magazine, an Examination of an Article in the North American Review, and an Exhibition of the Advancement of the Southern Tribes, in Civilization and Christianity. Peirce and Williams, 1830. Finley, James B. Autobiography of Rev. James B. Finley; or, Pioneer Life in the West. Edited by W. P. Strickland. Cincinnati: Cranston and Curtis, 1853. Finley, James B. History of the Wyandott Mission, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, under the Direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. F. Wright and L. Swormstedt, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1840. Houk, Chris. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded Zoom interview. May 20, 2024. Johnston, John. Recollections of Sixty Years. Edited by Charlotte Reeve Conover. J. H. Patterson, 1915. Mitchell, Joseph. The Missionary Pioneer; or, A Brief Memoir of the Life, Labours, and Death of John Stewart, (Man of Colour), Founder, under God, of the Mission among the Wyandotts at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Joint Centenary Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1918. First published 1827 by J. C. Totten. Monroe, James. "Special Message." January 27, 1825. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley. The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/special-message-233. Stockwell, Mary. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at WGTE Studios, Toledo, Ohio. May 29, 2024. Stockwell, Mary. The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Westholme Publishing, 2015. Wharton, Thomas K. "From England to Ohio, 1830–1832: The Journal of Thomas K. Wharton." Edited by James H. Rodabaugh. Ohio Historical Quarterly 65, no. 1 (January 1956): 111–51.

  4. May 13

    The Wyandotte (Part Two)

    This episode of Storied Ground is part two of a series on the history of the Wyandotte people in Ohio, from their arrival in the early eighteenth century, to their removal later in the nineteenth century, to their extraordinary return in the present day. With guest experts Chris Houk, Lifeways Researcher at the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma’s Culture Center & Museum, and historian Dr. Mary Stockwell, author of the book The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Sources for This Episode: Birkbeck, Morris. Notes on a Journey in America, from the Coast of Virginia to the Territory of Illinois. Severn & Co., 1818. Elliot, Charles. Indian Missionary Reminiscences, Principally of the Wyandot Nation. In Which is Exhibited the Efficacy of the Gospel in Elevating Ignorant and Savage Men. Lane & Scott, 1850. Houk, Chris. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded Zoom interview. May 20, 2024. Johnston, John. Recollections of Sixty Years. Edited by Charlotte Reeve Conover. J. H. Patterson, 1915. Monroe, James. "First Annual Message." December 2, 1817. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley. The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-1. Stockwell, Mary. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at WGTE Studios, Toledo, Ohio. May 29, 2024. Stockwell, Mary. The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Westholme Publishing, 2015. “Tarhe and Wyandot Chiefs to Governor Huntington, May 8, 1810,” John Johnston Papers (Ohio Historical Society) (MSS 553). United States Congress. American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States. Class II, Indian Affairs, Vol. 2. Gales and Seaton, 1834.

  5. 04/18/2025

    The Wyandotte (Part One)

    This episode of Storied Ground is part one of a series on the history of the Wyandotte people in Ohio, from their arrival in the early eighteenth century, to their removal later in the nineteenth century, to their extraordinary return in the present day. With guest experts Chris Houk, Lifeways Researcher at the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma’s Culture Center & Museum, and historian Dr. Mary Stockwell, author of the book The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Sources for This Episode: Burnet, Jacob. Early Settlement of the North-Western Territory. D. Appleton & Co., 1847. Divine, Jr. Lloyd E. On the Back of a Turtle: A Narrative of the Huron-Wyandot People. Trillium, 2019. Heckewelder, John Gottlieb Ernestus. History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations Who Once Inhabited Pennsylvania and the Neighbouring States. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1876. Houk, Chris. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded Zoom interview. May 20, 2024. Lincoln, Benjamin. "General Lincoln's Journal. Journal of a Treaty Held in 1793, with the Indian Tribes North-West of the Ohio, by Commissioners of the United States." Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1836. Lincoln, Benjamin, Beverley Randolph, and Timothy Pickering. "From the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Northern Department to the Northwestern Indian Chiefs, August 16, 1793." Papers of the War Department, 1784–1800. Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. Accessed January 19, 2025. https://wardepartmentpapers.org/document/45269/. Original source: Jonathan Cass Papers, Clements Library, University of Michigan. Stockwell, Mary. Interview by Nick Pavlik. Recorded at WGTE Studios, Toledo, Ohio. May 29, 2024. Stockwell, Mary. The Other Trail of Tears: The Removal of the Ohio Indians. Westholme Publishing, 2015. Stockwell, Mary. Unlikely General: “Mad” Anthony Wayne and the Battle for America. Yale University Press, 2020.

  6. 09/17/2024

    The Defiance Public Library

    In the heart of the City of Defiance, Ohio, the Defiance Public Library stands at the western edge of Old Fort Defiance Park, overlooking the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the architecturally distinctive Defiance Public Library has been a beloved fixture of the Defiance community since its opening in 1905. It is also one of over a hundred public libraries in Ohio that were built with funds provided by a grant from the wealthy Gilded Age industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who was a fervent believer in the necessity of public libraries to an informed American citizenry. Though he is a controversial figure today, Carnegie’s philanthropy – which by 1917 had funded the building of over 1600 public libraries across America – was foundational to the development of the renowned public library system we enjoy today in the United States. In this episode of Storied Ground, we’re paying a visit to the Defiance Public Library to discover what the unique history and architecture of one Carnegie library in a rural Northwest Ohio community can tell us about the wider legacy of Carnegie libraries in America, with guests Dr. Abigail Van Slyck, Dayton Professor Emeritus of Art History at Connecticut College; Cara Potter, Director of the Defiance Public Library System; Taryn Lawson, Communications Coordinator at the Defiance Public Library System; and Mike McCann, Mayor of the City of Defiance.

  7. 05/14/2024

    The Wood County Infirmary

    Since its opening in 1975, the Wood County Museum has been dedicated to telling the story of Wood County, Ohio and its people. But in recent years, the museum has been increasingly focused on preserving and interpreting its own institutional history as the former Wood County Infirmary, and in doing so, it has achieved renown as one of the few museums in the United States where visitors can learn about the history of rural poverty and public charity in nineteenth- and twentieth-century America. County infirmaries were among the earliest institutions of public welfare in Ohio, having first been authorized by the Ohio General Assembly in 1816. They were originally designed to be self-sustaining communal farms that provided temporary refuge for the poor, and were commonly referred to as “poor farms” or “poorhouses.” But without a wider social safety net, in reality county infirmaries often ended up becoming permanent homes for the elderly, sick, physically and mentally disabled, mentally ill, and other disadvantaged people unable to economically and materially support themselves, and whose families, if they had any, were either unable or unwilling to care for them. By 1900, Ohio’s public welfare system had evolved to include more specialized institutions to provide for the specific needs of certain vulnerable populations, marking the beginning of the transition of infirmaries into modern nursing homes. But this process was much slower to take root in Ohio’s predominantly rural counties. In Wood County, the infirmary remained the only place of refuge for the disadvantaged until well into the latter twentieth century, when it was finally closed and converted into the Wood County Museum. In this episode of Storied Ground, we’re exploring the history of the Wood County Infirmary with guest Holly Kirkendall, Curator at the Wood County Museum. We’ll also learn about the work Kirkendall and her colleagues are doing today to tell the story of the infirmary in ways that humanize its residents and correct misconceptions about the nature of rural poverty in America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Travel in any direction throughout Northwest Ohio, and it won’t be long before you come upon a historical marker of some kind. Since the latter nineteenth century, thousands of such markers, from grand monuments to humble plaques, have been dedicated by communities across Northwest Ohio to commemorate the people, places, and events that have shaped the history and identity of our region. Yet so familiar a sight have these markers now become that, regardless of their form, they often go largely unnoticed, blending into the routine patina of our environments, silently bearing witness to a remarkable past that is slowly fading in our local memory. In this podcast series, we’ll endeavor to encounter Northwest Ohio’s historical markers anew, using them as our guides to rediscovering the presence of the past everywhere around us in all its diversity and complexity. With the help of community members and historians, we’ll celebrate the extraordinary history and unique character of our region while transcending stereotypical narratives of Rust Belt decline and Midwestern provincialism. This is the history of Northwest Ohio. Have Questions? Email Us with any questions you may have. We're here to help!