LOVELAND — On Sunday, a town steeped in history will honor the woman who brought much of that history to life.

        The community will gather to dedicate the JoAnn Richardson History House, a spacious two-story addition to the campus of the Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum. Ms. Richardson, who died of cancer in 1999, was the society's director from 1994 until her death. The facility was part of her vision for Loveland, said current director Jan Beller.

        “Jo had a vision of growth for the Loveland Historical Society Museum which included recruitment of new members, expanding name recognition of the museum in the community, and enlarging the campus,” Ms. Beller said, adding that during her short tenure as director, Ms. Richardson supervised the restoration of a 200-year-old log cabin and relocation of a 19th-century gazebo. Both are now on the museum grounds.

IF YOU GO

What: Grand opening and dedication, JoAnn Richardson History House     When: 1 p.m. Sunday     Where: Corner of Park and Riverside Drive, Loveland     Information: 683-5692.

        Because Ms. Richardson was so instrumental in launching the project, the historical society's board of trustees decided to name the History House for her.

        According to museum curator Jenny Shives, the History House will provide much-needed storage and exhibit space and will double the museum's meeting capacity.

        Ms. Beller said the museum anticipates offering more programs to the public.

        “Our goal is to provide some workshops on vintage crafts like caning or quilting, maybe genealogy,” she said.

        The dedication caps two years of fund-raising, planning and construction. The city of Loveland provided a matching grant of $25,000 after the initial $100,000 was raised by the historical society. In addition to money it received from the formal fund-raising campaign, the organization gave proceeds from several other events, such as an antiques “road show” held in January 2000.

        History is an integral part of Loveland, said its mayor, Donna Lajcak. “How many little towns have their own museum?” she said. “We go back to 1795, and our local historical figures include Revolutionary War hero Col. Thomas Paxton, Civil War Gen. Thomas Tinsley Heath, and Nancy Ford Cones, the first woman photographer.”

        “This area is rich in history,” agreed museum volunteer Pat Furterer, former executive director of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of people from Cincinnati had summer cabins along the Little Miami River near here.”

        Both women said that the History House will help the museum share with children and new residents valuable information and lore about the community's past. They also praised Ms. Richardson for her leadership and her vision.

        “She liked to wear period dress,” Ms. Furterer said. “Once she told me, 'I was born 100 years too late.'”

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