NILES, Ohio – The National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum anticipates a busy 2025, as new partnerships, programs and events fill the landmark’s schedule, says Belinda Weiss, director.
“This year promises to be exciting with new collaborations such as monthly tours and volunteer opportunities with Fairhaven Industries, as well as two virtual schools which want us to develop content and present to their students,” Weiss says.
Also in 2025, the museum plans to add four exhibit cases and launch McKinleypedia, which provides guests with QR codes that go to additional information about exhibits and specific artifacts, she says.
Last year, the museum hosted a record number of visitors from neighboring communities and the world, Weiss says. These comprised visitors from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Ireland, Germany, the Philippines, and Italy. Student groups, virtual tours and even motorcycle clubs scheduled tours last year.
Events scheduled for this spring include a themed trivia game show in collaboration with the McKinley Library. Among the most popular events is the Festival of Trees. Last year, the Christmas display boasted 38 trees and attracted more than 1,600 visitors.
The museum continues to host speakers on a variety of topics, while Weiss plans to visit other historical societies and organizations presenting talks based on her own research.
The museum is also active in community and charitable causes, participating in toy drives, collecting blankets and coats for the homeless via Youngstown Blue Coats, and was a sponsor for Wreaths Across America.
Weiss also participated in Family Day, hosted the Niles Rotary Strawberry Festival, and co-hosted the Halloween Party and Pumpkin Walk and McKinley Christmas with the McKinley Library.
Pictured: Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren. Jack W. Pearce, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.