WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — For many museums, especially small hometown staples, the pandemic years were extremely difficult.
According to a survey from the American Alliance of Museums, one-third of responding museums have seen their attendance levels come back up to the years before the pandemic.
Two-thirds are experiencing reduced attendance, averaging 71% of their pre-pandemic numbers.
However, in one Ohio town, a gem of history is coming back to life in full force.
“Gallery here through the double doors, it’s on your left,” said Michael Coyan as he welcomed another group of visitors to the Harmon Museum in downtown Lebanon.
Coyan dedicated his life to teaching, but these days he serves as the museum’s executive director.
His family roots in Warren County date back to the 1700s.
To him, the museum, named after William Elmer Harmon from Lebanon, is very special.
“He purchased a farm and invented something called the subdivision, selling property over time financed through him, not a bank. He eventually by the age of 35 had the largest real estate corporation in the world and he built a little thing in Manhattan called Brooklyn,” Coyan said.
During the pandemic, the museum lost $70,000.
Since it does not receive funding from the state or federal government, 90% comes from donations, admission, and programming.
Coyan said it’s getting back on track.
More than 100 people come through the doors to visit every day.
Upstairs you’ll find a massive Victorian Era display and one of the largest collections of Folk Art in the county.
“The weathervane was in the first exhibit of folk art at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, an exhibit that was curated by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr,” Coyan said as he pointed to the different artifacts and paintings.
Downstairs is the heart of the museum called The Village Green.
It showcases actual shops that existed in Lebanon in the 19th century.
Around the corner, there are Native American artifacts from the 1800s that were found in Warren County fields and the Little Miami River.
“None of these works are ceremonial or funereal, they are all utilitarian. These were gifted by a gentleman to us in 1940. The Smithsonian says it’s one of the finest collections outside of theirs in Washington, D.C.,” said Coyan.
Up another set of stairs, you’ll get a serious history lesson from the makers of the flat-broom, waterproof cloth, and dozens of other practical items still used today.
“We have, of course, the largest Shaker collection west of the Alleghenies and some may say it’s one of the finest in the world,” said Coyan.
In every corner of the museum, there is something else to see.
“Of the 13 artists who first painted in the Northwest Territories, we have 9 of their works,” he said.
Out of all the exhibits, one of Coyan’s favorites is a newer addition that hits close to home.
“We have now the Armstrong Gallery of Flight which is now included in the Aviation Trail out of the National Park Service because Neil lived here longer than he lived anywhere. I taught both of his boys and I knew he and his wife really well,” he said.
Most of the pieces here haven’t left Lebanon.
“He got objects sent to him from all over the world, didn’t even open them. He put them in the top of the barn and when he decided to sell the farm and move to Cincinnati and the boys had gone off to college, he gave us all of that material,” said Coyan.
As the museum continues to grow and push forward, for Coyan, it’s a mission with a dedication to success.
“Everything in the museum that you see when you visit, is one one-third of the collection. We can rotate the entire collection three times over. It’s amazing,” he said.
Right now, the Harmon Museum is showcasing a very special traveling exhibit called ‘The American Revolution Experience’ and it’s been bringing in big crowds since it opened last month.
The last day for the exhibit is Feb. 15.
