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Belpre to celebrate 224th birthday

BELPRE – The Belpre Historical Society will mark the 224th anniversary of the 1789 “Belle Prairie” settlement with its Founders Day Dinner at 6 p.m. April 9 at the Belpre Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 2932 Washington Blvd.

Dinner reservations are necessary and the cost is $20 a person prior to April 5. Reservations can be made by calling (740) 423-5359 or (740)-423-7382.

Following the dinner, local history buff and Lincoln lore researcher Marty Seufer will share insights into the 1864 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln.

Seufer has been collecting Lincoln memorabilia and researching “Honest Abe’s” life and presidency for more than 25 years. Seufer’s continually growing collection includes vintage newspapers reporting on important events in Lincoln’s life.

Proceeds from Founders Day will be applied to the fund for the new Collections Preservation building soon to be constructed at the Farmers’ Castle Museum Education Center.

“Due to the generosity and support of the Belpre community, an additional building is needed to house and preserve our ever-expanding collections of local history, artifacts, genealogy and Underground Railroad information,” said Nancy Sams with the historical society.

During the last few years, the society has been pursuing grants, donations and holding fundraising activities to raise from $175,000 to $200,000 to build a new 50-by-50 foot building to compliment the existing museum facility and provide a larger space for educational presentations, workshops and programs.

Sams said the society continues to accept donations for the new building. Donations can be sent to the Belpre Historical Society, P.O. Box 731, Belpre, Ohio 45714-0731.

The museum is located at 509 Ridge St. Museum hours for the 2013 season are 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 3 to Oct. 31, and other times by appointment. The phone number for the museum is (740) 423-7588.

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