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For Immediate Release
Marion County Resident Receives Recognition For Support Of Ohio History
Ohio Historical Society gives 2008 Edward J. Tiffin Award to Trella Romine
(COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 28, 2008) – A lifetime of work spent studying and promoting Ohio and Marion County history earned Trella Romine of Caledonia the 2008 Edward J. Tiffin Award.
The award, the Ohio Historical Society's highest honor for extraordinary contributions to Ohio history, is named after the first governor of Ohio. Previous recipients were Sen. Mike DeWine in 2005, George W. Knepper in 2006 and Ralph Ramey in 2007.
"We honor Trella Romine's lifelong dedication to the preservation and promotion of Ohio’s History," said William K. Laidlaw Jr., executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society. "The citizens of Ohio, in particular Marion County, as well as local history organizations statewide have truly benefited from her outstanding leadership."
A lifelong Ohioan with deep roots in Marion County, Romine has been involved in a number of groundbreaking history and preservation initiatives. One of her most noteworthy efforts culminated in the formation of the Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums (OAHSM) in 1959. She was instrumental in negotiating the concept with the Ohio Historical Society and getting the charter signed. Upon the establishment of the organization, she was elected as the first president of OAHSM and served another 10 years on its board.
Her passion for history on the local level is equally impressive. Seeing the need for an organization to chronicle the history of Marion County, she helped found the Marion County Historical Society in 1969. She was instrumental in obtaining the society’s first home as a gift and later acted as chairperson of negotiations for the purchase of Marion’s former Post Office building, which became the society’s headquarters and museum.
"Trella has been an active volunteer and leader in almost every historical organization in Marion, including the Edward Huber Museum, Marion Union Station and especially the Harding Home," said Melinda Gilpin, site manager of the Ohio Society's Harding Home. "In my experience, I cannot think of another individual who has given more time, enthusiasm, personal finances or true soul for the preservation of all things historic for the people of Ohio than Trella Romine."
Romine also has an interest in natural history and has helped to establish two prairie remnants, one near Green Camp called the Trella Romine Prairie Preserve and another in eastern Marion County called Claridon Prairie. In addition, she donated her personal home in Claridon near the Whetstone River as a public nature preserve.
Romine owned and operated Hemmerley's Flowers and Gifts in Marion for 35 years, a family business begun by her father. After retiring in 1982, she focused the majority of her time and energy in promoting history.
"I think my most important involvement has been my mission to bring Marion County history into print so that it is available for all," Romine said. "One of the first projects I chaired for the Marion County Historical Society was to edit and publish the 800-page book 1979 Marion County History."
Since that time, Romine has edited and published more than 10 other local history volumes, including a collection of history columns she wrote for the Marion Star called "Day Before Yesterday."
The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology and natural history. It administers the largest statewide network of sites and museums in the nation.
Media contact: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
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