MILFORD, Ohio — The Greater Milford Area Historical Society is calling for volunteers as Art Affaire, its signature fundraiser and juried art show, prepares to return to downtown Milford for a 20th year.
The show is set for Saturday, Sept. 26, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closing a section of Main Street for a day of art, live music and food, according to the historical society. The event draws hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors annually and is free and open to the public.
With the show about a month away, the historical society renewed its appeal for volunteers this week, saying day-of help is still needed to pull off the event. Day-of preparation begins at 6 a.m. and runs through teardown at 6:30 p.m., the society said in a Facebook post, and residents can sign up for one of five three-hour blocks or choose their own time to help.
Art Affaire is the historical society’s major fundraiser, supporting the preservation of Promont, the 1865 Italianate Victorian mansion at 906 Main St. that serves as the nonprofit’s museum and headquarters, the society said.
Promont was the home of John M. Pattison, the 43rd governor of Ohio and the only governor to come from Clermont County. Pattison, a Civil War veteran and Owensville native, purchased the home in 1879. He was inaugurated governor in January 1906 but was so weakened by illness that he returned to Promont the same day and directed state government from the house until his death that June, according to public biographical records. He is buried in Milford’s Greenlawn Cemetery, and Promont was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Greater Milford Area Historical Society was founded in 1967 to preserve the history of Milford and Miami Township and has been based at Promont since 1983, according to the nonprofit.
Volunteers are asked to welcome artists, hand out maps and help with other tasks during the event, the society said. Interested residents can sign up through a form linked from the historical society’s Facebook page.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Greater Milford Area Historical Society.