Each week, The Extraordinary Times catches up with folks from the local historical community. This week, we catch up with history teacher, docent (Historic Hamilton Log House), and friend of the Michael J. Colligan History Project, Chris Maraschiello. Chris was born and raised in Amherst, New York, north of Buffalo. He received his B.A. and M.A. in History at Miami University. His thesis on Miami University Vice-President Wallace P. Roudebush was published by Miami University in 1993. He earned MAT in Social Studies Education from Miami in 1994, and an MEd from Miami in 2000. He has taught history in Hamilton since 1994. Chris was recognized as Ohio Middle School History teacher of the year (2010), and awarded the Jim Blount History Educator Award that same year. He is a Hamilton Civil Service Commissioner, serves on Queen of Peace Church parish council, and is the New London Hills Pool and Tennis Club Secretary.
* Tell our readers a little about the work of Historic Hamilton Inc. Historic Hamilton Inc. is the umbrella organization serving the historic districts of Hamilton, Ohio. Projects include the Log House restoration, Crawford House restoration, Historic Farmers Market, and refurbishing the gravesite of Captain John Cleves Symmes and Symmes Park. * What local historic attractions would you most encourage folks to visit this summer? The Historic Log House; Soldiers and Sailors Monument; Butler County Historical Society; Miami University Campus, especially the Freedom Summer Memorial. [See also, Journal-News article: “Hamilton’s Early-1800s Log Cabin, Other Attractions Reopening to the Public”] * Which teachers most shaped your appreciation and love of history? I was very lucky to have great history teachers both in secondary school in Amherst, New York, and at Miami University. Those that stood out include David Kinnin, Paul Wedig, Dr. Truman Beckley Brown in Amherst, and Dr. Phillip Shriver, Dr. Thomas Coakley, Dr. Jay Baird, and Dr. Richard Jellison at Miami. Through Dr. Shriver, I connected with Jim Blount. Jim was not only a veteran teacher but also a journalist [Chris originally team-taught for Jim in Hamilton City Schools, and eventually took his place in the classroom when the latter retired in 1994]. I was very fortunate to have both Dr. Shriver and Jim as my mentors, and like to brag about my impeccable Ohio history pedigree! * How has this pandemic affected your understanding of history? Underscores the usefulness of history by examining past pandemics (for example, cholera and the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu), to understand the causes, course, and consequences of such events. * How are Hamilton City Schools preparing to return to class this fall? That is the great unknown. * How are you spending your time this summer? Running the historic log house, working at the Hamilton Central YMCA, and the Booker T. Washington Center. Lots of reading. Currently, The Earth is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West by Peter Cozzens; Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist, both by Ibrim X. Kendi.
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AuthorMatthew Smith, PhD (History). Public Programs at Miami University Regionals. Historian of Appalachia, the Ohio Valley, & the early American republic. Archives
February 2024
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