Joe Wenning Brings History To Life

On September 8, 2018, you’re invited…step back in time to 1788 on a walking tour of Pioneer Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Hamilton County and the final resting place of many Revolutionary and Civil War veterans and pioneers, where you will hear from historical interpreters in period dress, interact with craftsmen/women as they demonstrate their skills, and listen to knowledgeable historians share artifacts and details about daily life.

If you attend, make sure to be on the lookout out for Benjamin Stites, the man who led the first boat of settlers across the Ohio River to land in Columbia. Joe Wenning plays that historic character, a fitting role for the man who has been the passion, heart and driving force for the now annual event. “It is all because of me being interested in history and a whole team of people,” Joe told me.

That interest was first sparked and nurtured 15 years ago by Joe’s high school history teacher, Mr. Shrimpton, who appreciated and encouraged Joe’s class participation. When Joe’s classmates were nodding off in class, he was always excited about the lessons and eagerly answered questions – often correctly.

Later, it was through Joe’s participation in the Starfire Council, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization focusing on building better lives for people with disabilities, and a more inclusive community, that the idea for the event was born.

“His interest in local history basically brought this event to life through sheer force of his willpower and his amazing ability to connect with people,” Richard James, Starfire community connector told me. “Joe is just a natural born communicator who knows how to draw people out. If there’s 20 people in a room, Joe will talk to 25 of them! His knowledge of local history is vast and when he meets someone new who is into history they are invariably drawn in by his enthusiasm. He knows a ton of people around town, many of whom will tell you that Joe’s easy charm and engaging personality was apparent to them on first meeting. He takes this event very seriously and never stops brainstorming on how to expand our team and grow the event.”

Linda Wedding, a direct descendent of Benjamin Stites, came to the second event in 2015 and presented Joe with a plaque proclaiming him as an honorary Stites. Kathy Wenning (Joe’s mother) said it is his most meaningful award because it represents all of his work to do something of value to the community.

Event Details:
Saturday September 8^th, 2018
PIONEER CEMETERY
333 Wilmer Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226
Across the street from Lunken Airport

I asked Joe a few more questions about the event and why you should attend.

Lisa: This event came as a result of your passion for history. Why are you so interested in history?
Joe:  Because of all the neat stuff that has happened.

Lisa: Why did you want to create this event – the Columbia Settlement?
Joe:  To get more people involved with it.  It brings people forward to learn and talk about the Ancestors and Pioneers who used to live in the Columbia Tusculum area.  The Stites family is a big part of it too!  Everyone should come!  It’s all about helping and volunteering.

Lisa: Please share about the work that you have done to help create it, organize it, and volunteer at it.
Joe:  I helped to get the event going, to get a team of volunteers together.  I have help from Richard.  (We) send out emails to committee members.  (We) meet with volunteers and talk about the job they want to do for it.  Volunteers are local people we meet at other events and history places.  I ask them if they want to be a part of it. I portray a character called Major Benjamin Stites.  He was a Revolutionary War soldier and he brought a boat load of friends and family members to Columbia.

Lisa: Why do you think people should come to the event?
Joe:  Because we got reenactors; we got food and games and demonstrations.  We got a whole load of games, dying fabric, paper piecing – and you got to come see it!  It’s a blast!  It’s free!  You can walk right in!  You have to see the food, gun demonstration, walking first person tour up above.  You will hear the story about the first boatload of people.  Look it up on our Facebook page; it is called Columbia Settlement Group.