The Akron Rotary Club had the honor of listening to Dave Lieberth discuss the history of Akron during our Tuesday, October 31st Club meeting.
When it comes to Akron and someone who knows the who’s who and what’s what, Mr. Lieberth is the person. Dave’s interest in Akron and Summit County’s history has a long history itself.
Dave joined the Summit County Historical Society as a high school senior 58 years ago.
Akron’s history has been his avocation ever since. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Historical Society.
Over a span of 32 years - he was a broadcast journalist, a lawyer, and an ardent civic activist.
From 2002 to 2012, he was Deputy Mayor of Akron.
Mayor Horrigan selected Dave to oversee the planning for Akron’s 2025 Bicentennial celebration.
Currently, Dave is creating The Akron History Center in downtown Akron, scheduled to open by January 2024, which will assemble 200 years of Akron history in one place. He is president of the Akron History Center, Inc., a non-profit organization.
He has written and produced two hour-long historical documentaries about Akron for PBS.
Dave chaired Akron’s successful efforts in 1995 and 2008 to be named an “All-America City” by the National Civic League.
Dave’s presentation talked about the people who were founders of Akron, Akron’s industry, and famous people from Akron. In addition, Dave shared information about a number of inventions and manufacturing advances that originated in Akron.
For those Rotarians unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting and hear Dave’s fantastic presentation, I hope you take the opportunity to visit the Akron History Center at the Bowery on South Main Street when it opens in early 2024 in time for Akron’s Bicentennial year-long celebration. The History Center will have 3000 square feet of exhibit space over 3 floors.
Dave noted that efforts are underway to develop a course on Akron’s history to be included in the Akron Public Schools’ curriculum. He also mentioned that a new book that is being written that will consist of 28 chapters written by 28 different individuals discussing different aspects of Akron’s history.
Yours in Service,
Terry Dalton
Club Secretary and Scholarship Chair
