The MVHS Archival Library is full of primary documents that teachers can use across the curriculum while fostering learning in history.The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is a wonderful resource for teachers hoping to enrich learning by adding primary documents.
Primary documents are original photographs, diaries, speeches, newspaper articles from the time, objects, and other artifacts. They are first-hand accounts about people or events. Teachers can research the following themes while planning lessons for their students. This list is only a sampling. If you have questions, or would like advice planning a classroom activity, call or e-mail the education staff at .
Possible Unit Themes
African American Bicentennial Commission
Architectural Design
- P. Ross Berry
- Owsley Brothers
The Arts and Crafts Movement
Cemeteries in the Valley
City Planning
Communications
- Warren P. Williamson and WKBN
Educational Reform
- American Association of University Women
- YMCA Business College
Firefighting
Genealogy and Family History
Health Care in Youngstown
Industry and Business
Industrial Reform
- Unions
- Little Steel Strike
- Destruction in East Youngstown, 1916
Immigration and Naturalization
The International Institute Collection
- Case Files for immigration in 1920s, 1967-1979, 1980-1985
- Applications for Certificates of Arrival, 1934-1939
- Mahoning County, Ohio Naturalization Proceedings Pre 1870
- Immigrants by William Powers
The Industrial Revolution
Jewish Archives
Mill Creek Park
1913 Flood and Milton Dam
Political History and Reform
- Charles P. Henderson and mayoral reform in Youngstown 1947-1953
- Harriet Taylor Upton, women’s vote, and National Republican Party Secretary (Upton)
Racial Tension
- Ku Klux Klan
Schools in the Valley
- Beaver, Beloit, Goshen, Hubbard, Rayen School
- Yearbooks
Social Reform
- Florence Crittenden Home for Unwed Mothers
- Services for deaf and mute
- Asylum Reform
- Progressive Era
- Lutheran Women’s League of Youngstown
- Christ Mission and houses
Steel Production
- Bessemer Process
Suburban Growth
Transportation History
- Fredonia Automobile Company
- Youngstown Carriage Works
- Aviation
- First Licensed Woman Pilot in Ohio
Urban Growth
Women’s History
Youngstown State University
Some Specific Holdings at MVHS
Warren City Directory (includes Niles, Girard, Cortland after 1978): 1955, 1961, 1963, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984
Youngstown City Directories (some volumes include Struthers, Girard, Campbell, McDonald, Poland, Canfield, and Lowellville): 1869, 1872, 1875/1876, 1877-Present
Church records and history
County, local, and state histories
Local government records including Marriage record indexes, Coroners inquests and infirmary deaths, divorce records index, original probate estate records
Various family collections (If you have a certain family that you are researching, please call the Education Department for further information)
- Wick Family Collections
- Fellows Family
- Fowler Family
- Hewitt-Shehy Family
- Arms Family Collection
Sampling of Newspapers
(If searching for specific event or year, please call ahead to Archivist)
Amerikai Hirlap, 1920-1942
Il Cittadino, 1920-1932
Mahoning County Dispatch, 1897-1968
Mahoning Free Democrat, 1852-1855
Mahoning Index, 1846-1847
Niles Register, 1881-1883
Youngstown Vindicator—early years
Atlases and Maps
Mahoning County: 1855, 1860, 1870, 1874, 1899-1900, 1915
Sanborn Fire Maps (Provides birds-eye view and often building materials used)
Youngstown: 1884, 1889, 1896, 1907-1957, 1988, 1992
Early sketches, notes of Youngstown
James Mackey Collection (Mackey was a surveyor): 1849-1901
Columbiana County
1841 Map
1870 Atlas
1902 Map and Atlas
Trumbull County
1830 Crenshaw’s Map
1874 Combination Atlas and Map
1899 Atlas and Directory
1918 Atlas
Census Records
1790 United States Census (published format)
Original 1860 Mahoning County Census
Indexes to Censuses
- 1870, 1880 Census Index for Mahoning County
- 1880 Census Index for Trumbull County
- 1880 Census Index for Columbiana County
Military Records
Official rosters
- American Revolution (for those buried in Ohio)
- Civil War
- Spanish-American War
- World War I
Tod Post Collection, Grand Army of the Republic (also includes information on African American soldiers)
12th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry
- Medical Department Ledger, 1864-1865
- Morning Book, 1864
Numerous letters, diaries, and photographs