Visit a `floating exhibit' of the city's past at Main Street Vermilion

VERMILION — A new miniature exhibit of historic pieces will give visitors at Main Street Vermilion a glimpse of the city's past. The display is a collaborative initiative between Main Street and the Vermilion History Museum, an idea that dovetails with the mission of both institutions, said Kate Repola, Main Street executive director. "One of our missions is historic preservation and to promote that, and to help the Vermilion History Museum, we brought some of their memorabilia over to the Main Street office to display it here. It's a rotating display that will be reflective of the season, in the time period of what would have been happening in that era for the town," she said. The first of the "floating exhibits" is on display now with an appropriate summer theme, highlighting Vermilion's iconic waterfront and its prominence in the town's way of life. A collection of old photographs is included, vintage shots of people fishing or swimming at one of Lake Erie's many beaches dotted along the shores. Historic photos of Main Street Beach as it used to look are included, as well as Vermilion River and the old Kishman Fish Co. A marine compass is included, said Rich Tarrant, curator of the Vermilion History Museum, and an old bottle. "It's nice for people who are traveling through or just stopping in and aren't aware of the ideas we have here in the museum," he said. Repola said other bits include old pamphlets from Vermilion organizations, like a record from the Vermilion Garden Club meeting held in July 1945 in "Elizabeth's garden" and the Business and Professional Women of Vermilion Club's 1959 yearbook. "In the fall we are planning on changing out the display to reflect some of the historic businesses to reflect what shops were in the past, to go along with a historic walking tour we have in September that focuses on what downtown was like back then and the families and businesses that helped shape Vermilion," Repola said. The seasonal exhibits can be viewed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Main Street Vermilion, 685 Main St. For information about the Vermilion History Museum, visit 727 Grand St. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For information, call (440) 967-4555 or visit vermilionoh.org. Contact Rini Jeffers at rinijeffers@gmail.com.