The stories that shape Toledo—from gritty backroom bars to industrial legends—are coming to life again this fall through the Toledo Public Schools Local History Lecture Series.
Organized and hosted by Robyn Hage, M.Ed., TPS historian and Bowsher High School choir director, this free public series invites community members to engage with Toledo’s colorful and complex past.
“We’re a 175-year-old district,” says Hage. “It’s important for people to understand the impact of our history—not just in schools, but across neighborhoods and generations.”
Why Local History Matters
Now in its fourth year, the lecture series has grown into a citywide tradition. Hosted at rotating TPS high schools, the talks not only highlight underexplored parts of local history but also showcase newly renovated schools and the positive impact of public investment.
“These lectures give people a chance to see what their tax dollars are supporting,” Hage says. “And they remind us that you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.”
Each session draws 50–100 attendees—often a mix of returning history buffs and first-timers. While the series is open to all, it’s especially popular with older adults and lifelong Toledoans. Hage curates the schedule by balancing audience suggestions, speaker availability, and topic variety.
2025–2026 Lecture Lineup
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The History of Jeep
7 PM • Bowsher High School
Speaker: Diana Spalding
A former Jeep employee and museum coordinator, Spalding will trace the vehicle’s roots in Toledo and its global significance. She also coordinates this year’s Jeep Fest.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
William Henry Harrison: Life and Legacy
7 PM • Waite High School
Speaker: Frank Butwin
Experience Ohio history firsthand through a dramatic first-person reenactment of William Henry Harrison’s life, presented by local historian and performer Frank Butwin.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Prohibition and the Toledo Tenderloin
7 PM • Woodward High School
Speaker: Doug Tracy
Discover the secret world of Toledo’s red-light district during Prohibition—bootlegging, brothels, and all. Tracy, a Columbus-based author, brings the stories to life with vivid historical insight.
Looking Ahead: Winter & Spring 2026
January 8, 2026 – Preservation of Fort Meigs & Its Burial Grounds
Waite High School, 7 PM • Speaker: Gary Franks
February 12, 2026 – Albert King, Toledo’s First Black Police Officer
Woodward High School, 7 PM • Speaker: Shirley Green, Toledo Police Museum
March 12, 2026 – Toledo Memorabilia Show
Bowsher High School, 6–8 PM
Explore rare collectibles from ten of the city’s top Toledo-only memorabilia collectors in an interactive “Antiques Roadshow”-style event.
What to Expect
The lecture series is free and open to the public. While not currently recorded due to funding cuts, the sessions are rich with visuals, storytelling, and sometimes even artifacts. Some speakers return each year due to popular demand.
“People still talk about the Edmund Fitzgerald lecture,” Hage says. “Some topics really stay with you.”
Event Details & Contact
More info: www.tps.org
Contact: rhage@tps.org
Follow TPS for updates and schedules
Mark your calendar. Learn your city. Celebrate Toledo.
