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=Welcome to Medina's Digital History Exhibit.=

Medina High School's Advanced Placement United States History class has been busy digitizing portions of Medina's Historic Square for the public to view. They have worked with the Medina County Historical Society, the Community Design Committee and the Medina County Public Library to preserve the stories that have held the Medina Community together on the square for nearly 200 years.

Students were asked to historically think about the importance of Medina's square to the economy of our town and to reflect upon the larger American history as a whole. How did Medina develop as a result? I asked student to investigate the importance of Medina's location as a farming community and developing small town. To this end, students were required to digitize images from local sources, collect oral histories, conduct primary source research and create a digital 3-D Model of a Medina Square business. Student's historical thinking skills are highlighted best on the following pages:

**241 South Court Street: The Dress Bridal Boutique** **111 West Liberty Street: Dan's Dogs** **103 West Liberty Street: Cool Beans** 225 South Court Street: Medina Hardware 221 South Court Street: Gramercy Gallery

Take a look at our locations on Google Earth (Google Earth is a FREE download)

**THANK YOU!** Medina High School has some amazing human beings walking its halls. These students are willing to work hard to deliver a quality product. Each of them deserves a standing ovation for their strong finish to a very long and rainy Spring. They are the top of their class who took this elective Advanced Placement US History class knowing it was going to be A PUSH. Hats off to them! This is **//__their__//** work.

I could not have facilitated this project without the enormous support of the following people. This exhibit would not have become a reality without the sounding board, coordination and dedication of **Karen Schmidt**. A retired Medina social studies teacher, Karen truly understands the need of our schools and our community to come together to foster a sense of pride in our town among students of Medina High School. **Jim Shields**, Medina city councilman and Human Resource Director for Medina City Schools was also incredibly helpful and supportive. A fellow Medina graduate, Jim feels the same nostalgia for this great place that I do and values the preservation of such beautiful stories.**Karon Lippincott**, Medina High School Librarian was essential. She supported my ambition and taught my students technological skills that they will carry with them to college and beyond. **Bryan Farson**, Principal of Medina High School: his flexibility and creativity in the learning process has encouraged me to think outside of the box and become a more effective teacher. **Bill and Elaine Lamb, Roger Smalley and Joanne King** have given many hours of their time as local historians in this creation as well. Their support has been vital to the richness of the stories you encounter. **Carolyn Grenfell, Tom Hillberg of the Medina County Historical Society and the staff of Medina County Public Library** have also provided irreplaceable assistance to my students through each step of this process. **The Technology Department** of the Medina City School District have answered every question and delivered every download needed for my students. Thank you to **Adam McElwain, Mark Valentino, David Weymura,** Medina City Middle School teachers, **Mark Tebeau** and **Mark Souther**, Cleveland State faculty, **Jim Luteran and Nadine Grimm**, Cuyahoga County Education Service Center managers of million dollar Teacher American History Grants for encouraging me to think that students could accomplish this. Lastly, **Mrs. Eleanor Iler Schapiro** wherever you are, thank you for encouraging my mom, **Linda Conley //nee// Letterly** to write down the history of the Medina County Public Library in the 1966 Historical Highlights of Medina__.__ Due to Mrs. Schapiro's book, my mom has instilled in me the value of people who create the stories. I would not be the same person I am today without such impact. These stories connect us in ways that go beyond time and place. The students who have given their time to preserve the stories in this exhibit and The Historical Highlights of Medina reflect the legacy of an old Medina: may we once again remember who we were and build upon the strong foundation of community. ~Shannon Conley-Kurjian, Medina High School Social Studies Teacher