The New Albany Plain Township Historical Society

05/28/2026

CLIMBING THE CHARTS – CENTRAL OHIO ARTISTS ON THE WCOL-AM TOP-40 SURVEYS. June 3, (Wednesday) 2026 -- 7:00 p.m. New Albany Library, 200 Market Street.

During the golden age of AM radio in Central Ohio during the 50s and 60s, “1230 The New WCOL” was the go-to station for teenage listeners. The station printed weekly Top-40 surveys from 1958 thru 1978 that always included up-and-coming local artists. Those charts represent a cultural road map of those rapidly changing times.

Doug Tracy will give a brief history of WCOL, talk about his vast collection of over 800 weeks of WCOL surveys, and play original recordings by many of the local artists who made those WCOL Top-40 charts during that very special era. Among the local artists you will hear: The 4 Pharaohs, Pat Zill, Chuck Howard, The Dantes, The Fifth Order, The Four Mints, Nancy Wilson, Gene Cotton and many more.

05/25/2026

A tribute to Michael Butsko and his mother Eleanor, whose Gold Star flag honored his sacrifice. This New Albany Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a lasting symbol of remembrance.

A tribute to Michael Butsko and his mother Eleanor, whose Gold Star flag honored his sacrifice. This New Albany Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a lasting symbol of remembrance.

05/03/2026

04/05/2026

SONGS OF STEPHEN FOSTER. MAY 6 (Wednesday) 2026 -- 7:00 p.m. New Albany Library, 200 Market Street. Musicians Steve and Lisa Ball will give a musical presentation of Foster's life and career as America's premier songwriter. Learn about Foster's inspiration, the popularity, or lack thereof, of some of Foster's most popular tunes in American culture today. Learn about Foster's business dealings within the music business, and how much it has and hasn't changed since the 1850's. The program consists of a dozen of Foster's popular and not so popular tunes, and the stories behind them, as well as the myths generated over the past 160 years. All music is performed on a 19th century Martin guitar, and a reproduction minstrel banjo.

03/08/2026

JASPER HADDOCK, BLACK CIVIL WAR VETERAN. April 1 (Wednesday) 2026 -- 7:00 p.m. New Albany Library, 200 Market Street. Historical society curator Doug Tracy will present the story of Corporal Jasper Haddock, one of many Ohio African-Americans who stepped forward to serve in the 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry during the Civil War. It’s also the inspiring story of Captina, a once-thriving Ohio community of free Blacks and formerly enslaved persons who courageously found their way across the Ohio River in the early 1800s in search of freedom and an opportunity for a new life.

02/16/2026

HISTORY OF SOCCER IN NEW ALBANY. March 4 (Wednesday) 2026 -- 7:00 p.m. New Albany Public Library, 200 Market Street. Free and open to the public. In his presentation, Historical Society Trustee Dennis James will answer: “How did the sport of Soccer get started and develop in and around the New Albany area?” “How did the James family affect this development?”

01/11/2026

Spanning the years 1793 to 2025, with images including Liberty, the Indian head, wheat, and Lincoln, the US penny has been an iconic American coin. Join us for a fascinating look at the history of the copper penny on February 4 at 7PM at the New Albany Library. Presentation by Dennis Keesee.

12/21/2025

Join us at the New Albany public library on February 4, March 4, and April 1 for three wonderful presentations:

February 4, 2026. 7PM
Speaker: Dennis Keesee
Topic: History of the US Penny

March 4, 2026. 7PM
Speaker: Dennis James
Topic: History of Soccer in New Albany

April 1, 2026. 7PM
Speaker: Doug Tracy
Topic: Jasper Haddock, Black Civil War Veteran

All events at New Albany Public Library;
200 Market Street; New Albany OH 43054

11/29/2025

Join us for an ENCORE of the Ealy House Museum Holiday Open House: Sunday, November 30, 2025. 6359 Dublin – Granville Rd., New Albany, OH. Open 1-4 pm. Featuring live musical entertainment!🎄🎻

11/22/2025

The Ealy House Museum welcomes visitors this Sunday from 1-4PM. Join us before the New Albany tree lighting ceremony!