National Ice Cream Day Open House

Join MVHS as we celebrate all things ice cream!  We’ll highlight the Good Humor Bar, Klondike, Isaly’s, Handel’s, Joy Cone Company, and more.  Walking tours, family activities, ice cream making, and fun for all ages!  Free public open house, free adjacent parking.

July 2026 Bites and Bits of History:

“Welcome Back: Mahoning Valley Homecomings, Picnics, and Gatherings” – Traci Manning, MVHS Curator of Education

Explore the history of area homecomings, festivals, parades, and other community events.  From Old Home Week to company picnic days at Idora Park, this program features images and stories from those who gathered to share meals and make memories.

July First Friday – American 250!

Join us downtown for a special First Fridays experience celebrating America 250, an evening where arts, culture, history, and community come together in a vibrant, walkable event for all ages.

Guided historic walking tours 
(Designated ASL Interpreted Tours included. Email: for more information)
Two tours connecting key downtown locations
Discover local history tied to the America 250 theme

June Bites and Bits of History

“The Natural Foundations of Industry: The Story of Mill Creek Park” with Diana Alexander, Geologist and Mill Creek MetroParks Educator

Explore the deep natural history that helped shape the rise of Youngstown in this engaging lecture centered on Mill Creek MetroParks. Millions of years before the first furnaces were lit, ancient seas, glaciers, and shifting landscapes left behind the natural resources that would later fuel the region’s industrial growth. This program examines how the geology and waterways preserved within Mill Creek Park connect to the development of local industry. Learn how these ancient deposits influenced settlement, powered early mills, and ultimately contributed to the rise of Youngstown as a major industrial center. Along the way, we’ll highlight historic locations within the park and explore the lasting relationship between the natural landscape and the city’s industrial past.

March 2026 Bites and Bits of History

Join historian Sean T. Posey as he explores the rich and hard-fought history of labor struggles in the Mahoning Valley. From the major industrial strikes that shaped the region in the early twentieth century, to the transformative impact of New Deal labor policies, to the later expansion of unionization into the public sector, the program traces how local workers organized, demanded fair treatment, and influenced national debates about economic justice. Participants will gain insight into an often-neglectd aspect of local & American history.