Visitors to Hocking College’s campus and Robbins Crossing, the log cabin settlement, see a living-history interpretation of life in the Hocking Valley in the 1850s–1870s era. With “A Walk Through Time,” the exploration of history begins in an earlier era and extends through the 1950s with the dedication of the Donald R. Nunley Memorial Mine Museum located near Robbins Crossing.

Conceived and coordinated by Russell K. Tippett, Hocking College senior vice president, the walk begins with a series of tepees representing American Indians. “We’ve hosted a powwow on campus since the mid-1980s and visitors will find a smaller version of that event,” Tippett says.

Tom O’Grady, an instructor in the School of Natural Resources and an avid local historian, has a special interest in Ohio’s canal system. O’Grady will display artifacts and photos depicting Ohio’s once-vital canal system.

]A living-history interpretation is how Norm Lowery describes what the Ohio Valley Brigade will present at the museum. “We teach about the history of the Civil War, the years between 1861 and 1865. Some of our gear is reproduction like the uniforms, weapons and tents, but we have items that are authentic, too, and most of these are on display, not actually used,” Lowery notes. One authentic item is a Civil War musket, similar to the one used by his great-grandfather. Other items include ribbons and belt buckles.

Lowery explains that the Ohio Valley Brigade is made up of two units — the First Light Artillery Battery, of which he is the commander, and the 63rd Ohio Valley Infantry with his nephew Martin Lowery as captain. 

The Donald R. Nunley Memorial Mine Museum is located in a restored board-and-batten miner’s house that was brought from its original plot on Robbins Road to Robbins Crossing. The miner’s house and the Anthony homestead were the original buildings at the historic site. When additional cabins were added, the board and batten home was moved to the area adjacent to Robbins Crossing.

Don Nunley passed away in 2004. He was president of Local Union 1340, United Mine Workers of America, something he achieved with a grade school education. Nunley brought the Reverend Jesse Jackson, president of the Rainbow/Push Coalition and organizer of the “Leave No American Behind, a March for Appalachia” rally, to Hocking College in 1998. 

United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts has been invited to take part in the Donald R. Nunley Memorial Mine Museum dedication. It would be a return trip for Roberts, who visited the campus several times at Nunley’s request.

Hocking College President John Light calls Don Nunley a true friend of the college. “Don was a person who could and did get things done. It is a fitting tribute to Don that we honor his memory with the Donald R. Nunley Memorial Mine Museum,” Dr. Light says.

More on the National Timber & Outdoor Show
Schedule of Events

Fresh-Air Focus

History Comes Alive

A Walk Through Time