Programs
about the Chapel and Geauga County
Embedded Files
Join us Sat, May 2 at 4 pm for Geauga and It's Union Chapel in Art, Poetry, and Song. Details on our program page.
Programs available to be presented offsite
Programs available to be presented offsite
The following programs are available for organizations to book. In keeping with the mission of South Newbury Union Chapel, there is no charge for these programs, however, donations to the Chapel are gratefully accepted to assist with our preservation efforts.
Please find the list of where we are scheduled to offer programs in 2026 at the end of this page.
We are very pleased to announce that we presented programs to over 400 people in 2025.
Thank you for your interest!
Please contact the South Newbury Union Chapel Trustees at newburyunionchapel@gmail.com with your name, organization, contact information and date(s) to book a program. Thank you!
Bloomers, Ballots, and Belles: Women and Social Reform at South Newbury Union Chapel
Bloomers, Ballots, and Belles: Women and Social Reform at South Newbury Union Chapel
South Newbury Union Chapel was at the center of Geauga women’s efforts to introduce bloomer fashion, pass the amendment allowing women to vote, and transform their communities. What do we know, and what do we NOT know, about the Geauga women who voted illegally, marched for suffrage, and actively campaigned for social reform? Because of this rich heritage, the South Newbury Union Chapel is a unique Geauga women’s history site on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Votes for Women Trail.
From Seneca Falls
to South Newbury
From Seneca Falls
to South Newbury
This program traces women's suffrage from the 1848 women's right convention in Seneca Falls, NY, to the initiatives in Ohio, including those at South Newbury Union Chapel.
O' The Joys of Pioneering:
Vision and Reality for Women on the Western Reserve Frontier
O' The Joys of Pioneering:
Vision and Reality for Women on the Western Reserve Frontier
In the early years of the 19th century, scores of New Englanders packed their wagons and journeyed west, spurred by hopes and dreams of opportunities promised by a fresh landscape that appeared reassuringly familiar. The intersections, as well as the disparities, between what these pioneers envisioned this northeastern Ohio frontier to be and the realities of their lives, particularly for women, provide insight on the spirit of post-revolution Americans, their restless compulsion to possess a wilderness, and the creation of the communities in which we now live.
"Remember the Ladies":
Woman's Place in Old Geauga
"Remember the Ladies":
Woman's Place in Old Geauga
We hear so much about Geauga’s great fire, great snow, great Yankee migration, and the tales of our menfolk as they wrestled a county from the forest and developed the communities we know and love today. But what about the ladies? What were their adventures and how did they define “woman’s place” in Geauga County’s heritage? Where can we find the visual remnants of their stories to remind us of their contributions today? And what can WE do (and are doing) to ensure that future Geaugans “remember the ladies”?
South Newbury Union Chapel:
A Bold Past, A Bright Future
South Newbury Union Chapel:
A Bold Past, A Bright Future
Explore the fascinating past of Geauga County’s South Newbury Union Chapel from the 1858 building of the chapel after a controversial freedom of speech incident, through its years as a hub of temperance, social reform, and community activism. From suffrage marches to bloomer costumes to illegal voting, Geaugans gathered at Union Chapel to further progressive causes. Because of this rich heritage, the Chapel is now recognized both statewide and nationwide.
Exploring Geauga's 18 Sites on the National Register of Historic Places
What sites in Geauga County have been designated historic and why are they significant enough to be on the National Register of Historic Places? And where are our Ohio Historical Markers? Let’s take an armchair tour before you head out to visit these compelling places that best represent our county’s past.
Programs scheduled for 2026
Programs scheduled for 2026
Please note that program registration is coordinated by the organizations that host us
Sunday, January 25
Sunday, January 25
CANCELED FOR WEATHER
PLEASE WATCH FOR OUR RESCHEDULED PROGRAM THIS FALL
South Newbury Union Chapel: A Bold Past, A Bright Future
Geauga Park District/West Woods
9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87)
Monday, March 9
Monday, March 9
Something for Everyone: Our Great Geauga County Fair
Clio Club at Burton Township Hall
14821 Rapids Road, Burton
2:00 p.m.
Please note change of venue from Burton Library to Burton Township Administrative Building
TO BE RESCHEDULED
TO BE RESCHEDULED
Thursday, March 12
Thursday, March 12
South Newbury Union Chapel: A Bold Past, A Bright Future
Burton Public Library
4588 West Park Street, Burton
6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
Thursday, March 26
Traveling exhibit and film screening
followed by Q&A with writer/producer
Bette Lou Higgins
Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote (exhibit)
Victoria Woodhull: Shattering Glass Ceilings (film)
Clark Commons, Kent State University
Geauga Campus
14111 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton
6:00 p.m. (begins) 6:30 p.m. (film screening)
7:15 p.m. (Q&A)
www.edenvalleyenterprises.org
Tuesday, April 14
Tuesday, April 14
Geauga Women
Private Home
Club Members only event
The Tuesday Club
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15
Information table
America250/Geauga Kickoff
1:00-4:30 p.m.
Schoolyard Studios
14510 North Cheshire Street
Burton, Ohio. 44021
Wednesday, April 29
Bloomers, Ballots, and Belles
Maplewood Senior Living
12350 Bass Lake Road, Chardon
3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 30
South Newbury Union Chapel:
A Bold Past, A Bright Future
Burton Public Library
4588 West Park Street, Burton
6:00 p.m.
Register at https://www.burtonlibrary.org/events
Saturday, May 2
Saturday, May 2
Geauga and It's Union Chapel in Art, Poetry, and Song
Claridon Town Hall
13930 Mayfield Road, Claridon
4:00 pm Doors open
Please join us for:
4:30 Welcome
Intro to Historic architectural artist Lynn Vandevort
Unveiling of new art
4:45 Song performed by Spirit Bound
When It’s Springtime in Geauga by Zimmerman and Denton
5:00 Poem “We Plant Today a Strong Young Oak” by Anna Medora Green, 1876
Poem “The Appeal of Union Chapel” by Colonel William Utley, 1919 - Read by Bill Ward
Song performed by Spirit Bound
Chardon: Maple Sugar Center of
the World by Ladd and Thrasher
6:00 Concluding remarks
Friday, May 8
Please visit our table at. SUFFS: Community Premiere PBS Great Performances
Hayden Auditorium. Hiram College, 11715 Garfield Road, Hiram, Ohio
7:00 p.m.
Presented by: League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County, Geauga County, and Kent
Hiram College, PBS Western Reserve, Portage Foundation
Tickets to the performance are free but required due to limited seating
See the LWV Northern Portage Facebook page for the link to register through Zeffy
SUFFS is the story of the last years of the fight for votes for women from WWI through the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. It's inspiring, moving, tragic, funny, and so clearly based in the reality of the experience. Anyone who prizes their right to vote MUST see it!
Can't attend this public performance? PBS will be showing this on Friday, May 8, at 9 pm on Great Performances.
Wednesday, May 13
Wednesday, May 13
Exploring Geauga's 18 Sites on the National Register of Historic Places
Geauga County Public Library
Middlefield Branch
16167 E. High Street, Middlefield
6:30 p.m.
Register at
https://geaugalibrary.net/
Saturday, May 16
Visit Union Chapel on the
Destination Geauga Spring Drive It Yourself Tour
9:30-3:30
Stop in for a Votes for Women photo op where Susan B. Anthony once stood, free suffrage stickers, your map stamp, and raffle tickets for a unique Union Chapel prize.
Tuesday, June 23
Tuesday, June 23
O' The Joys of Pioneering: Vision and Reality for Women on the Western Reserve Frontier
Geauga County Public Library
Bainbridge Branch
17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls
7:00 p.m.
Register at
https://geaugalibrary.net/
Thursday, June 25
O' The Joys of Pioneering
Geauga Bear Stories
Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals
Senior Citizen Picnic
Claridon Woodlands
11383 Claridon Troy Road
Claridon Township
12 Noon
Please See Geauga Department on Aging for registration information
Thursday, July 9
Geauga Park District's
Union Chapel Bat Count
South Newbury Union Chapel
15829 Ravenna Road, Burton
Details forthcoming in May
The Chapel will be open prior to the Park program. Please stop in and see us!
Saturday, August 22
Saturday, August 22
Something for Everyone:
Something for Everyone:
Our Great Geauga County Fair
Our Great Geauga County Fair
Geauga County Public Library
Geauga County Public Library
Bainbridge Branch
Bainbridge Branch
17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls
17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls
2:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
Please register at
Geauga County Public Library
Thursday, August 27
Thursday, August 27
Something for Everyone:
Something for Everyone:
Our Great Geauga County Fair
Our Great Geauga County Fair
Geauga County Department on Aging
Geauga County Department on Aging
Geauga County Office Building
Geauga County Office Building
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy "Fair" appetizers
courtesy of University Hospital
Please register through
Geauga Department on
Aging
Tuesday, June 30
Bloomers, Ballots and Belles:
Women and Social Reform at South Newbury Union Chapel
Geauga County Public Library
Middlefield Branch
16167 E. High Street, Middlefield
6:30 p.m.
Please see Geauga County Public Library for registration
Tuesday, August 4
Tuesday, August 4
Straight Lines on a Lumpy Landscape
Straight Lines on a Lumpy Landscape
(Geauga County)
(Geauga County)
Geauga County Public Library
Thompson Branch
6645 Madison Road, Thompson
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Please register at
Geauga County Public Library
Wednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Dedication
Dedication
Ohio Historical Marker for Centennial Oak
Ohio Historical Marker for Centennial Oak
South Newbury Union Chapel
15829 Ravenna Road, Burton
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Sneak Peek Open House, South Newbury Union Chapel, 15829 Ravenna Road, Burton
Sneak Peek Open House, South Newbury Union Chapel, 15829 Ravenna Road, Burton
Part of Ohio Open Doors Initiative
1:00-400 p.m. (drop-in)
1:00-400 p.m. (drop-in)
Thursday, July 2
Thursday, July 2
America250-Ohio Celebration
250 Years of Great Moments for Geauga's Chardon
Geauga Theatre
101 Water Seet, Chardon
Time TBD (afternoon)
Saturday, Aug. 8
Explorer Series
Foundation for Geauga Parks
South Newbury Union Chapel
and Bat House Tour
15829 Ravenna Rd, Burton, OH 44021
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Please register at
Foundation for Geauga Parks
Previously presented programs
Previously presented programs
2025
March 3, 2025 at Burton Public Library: “Straight Lines on a Lumpy Landscape: The Shaping of Geauga and Lake Counties and their Seats of Justice”.
March 11, 2025 at Notre Dame Village/Dept. on Aging: “Remember the Ladies: Woman’s Place in Old Geauga”.
April 8, 2025 at Chardon Library/Geauga County Genealogical Society: “Exploring Geauga's 18 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.”
April 12, 2025 at Mentor on the Lake Library/Lake County Daughters of the American Revolution: “Intertwining History of Lake and Geauga Counties”.
May 14, 2025 at Geauga West Library for Geauga Library:“O’ The Joys of Pioneering: Vision and Reality for Women on the Western Reserve Frontier”
May 15, 2025 at Kent State University/Geauga Campus in partnership with Geauga Department on Aging Learning for Lifetime: “Exploring Geauga's 18 sites on the National Register of Historic Places,” “South Newbury Union Chapel: A Bold Past, A Bright Future,” “O’ The Joys of Pioneering: Vision and Reality for Women on the Western Reserve Frontier."
August 15, 2025 at Burton Public Library: “Something for Everyone: Our Great Geauga County Fair”.
August 18, 2025 at Jennings at Notre Dame Village: "Something for Everyone: Our Great Geauga County Fair
September 3, 2025 Geauga West Library: "South Newbury Union Chapel: A Bold Past, A Bright Future."
September 27-28, 2025: Union Chapel Archaeological Dig presented by Geauga Park District
November 7, 2025 at Burton Public Library: “Exploring Geauga's 18 sites on the National Register of Historic Places”
November 13, 2025 at Aurora Historical Society/League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County: “Bloomers, Ballots, and Belles: Women and Social Reform at South Newbury Union Chapel”
OVER 420 PEOPLE ATTENDED OUR PROGRAMS IN 2025! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
And another 75+ attended the Chapel archaeological digs offered by Geauga Park District.
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