Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta From left, Savannah Moss, collections & research manager at the Trumbull County Historical Society; Kate Pfouts, archivist at the TCHS; Amy Fluker, associate professor of history at Youngstown State University; Traci Manning, curator of education at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society; Jonathon G. Cambouris, museum administrator at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor (also known as the Steel Museum); and Andy Verhoff, program manager for Ohio History Connection and Outreach, pose with a check representing a $17,574 Ohio History Fund grant. It will be used to support an America250-themed traveling exhibit called “Mahoning Valley 250: A Celebration of Change Makers and their Communities,” and will be developed through a partnership between YSU, the Steel Museum, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and the Trumbull County Historical Society.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley received some help to participate in America250-Ohio festivities.

“A Celebration of Change Makers and Their Communities” received an Ohio History Fund grant Wednesday afternoon at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, also known as the Steel Museum.

“The Ohio History Fund gave neighboring cultural institutions an opportunity to meaningfully integrate the Greater Mahoning Valley’s story into the national America250 celebration,” said Jonathon G. Cambouris, administrator of the Steel Museum. “Amy Fluker has taken the lead on the 250th commemoration at Youngstown State University and approached us about a collaborative application.”

Andy Verhoff, program manager of Ohio History Connection and Outreach, presented a check for $17, 574 to a partnership between YSU, the Steel Museum, the Mahoning County Historical Society and the Trumbull County Historical Society for the traveling America250 exhibit.

“This project highlights the Mahoning Valley’s long tradition of resilience, creativity and community leadership,” said Fluker, associate professor of history at Youngstown State University.

She said the exhibit is a way to discuss positive aspects of the Valley and not highlight detrimental sections such as being a Rust Belt city. Each group will have a section of the exhibit to depict one of five themes: Indigenous History, The Underground Railroad, Immigration, Innovation in Manufacturing, and Amusement & Recreation.

The exhibit opens July 1 at the McDonough Museum of Art on the YSU campus. It also will be available on the website ysu250.org.

Fluker said the exhibit will be displayed at the museum during the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts July 11 and 12.

“The McDonough Museum is hosting a companion exhibit for us called ‘Stitches of Time.’ You will be able to read our exhibit, and see local pieces of art and artifacts that reflect on America250,” she said.

Between now and July 1, the organizations will research and develop their section of the exhibit, which will become a full tapestry of the story of the Mahoning Valley.

“The Ohio History Fund told us that what set our grant apart was that it was truly a partnership,” Fluker said.

As part of the collaboration, the exhibit will attempt to reach as large an audience as possible through an online version, permanent installation at the Steel Museum and a traveling exhibit to libraries and historical centers.

YSU President Bill Johnson reminded attendees that the United States is still very young compared to other countries, but has accomplished much in that history.

“250 years, what a great celebration we have coming up this year,” he said. “We’re still a baby in regards to the other large industrialized nations of the world. This is the most free, the most prosperous, the most opportunistic nation on the face of the planet to be a citizen of. We have every right and responsibility to celebrate.”

Cambouris said the benefit of the grant is that “it ensures that the Greater Mahoning Valley is not only a part of the conversation, but equally represented.”