The Over-the-Rhine Museum is delighted to announce the next installment in our quarterly lecture series, “Three Acts in Over-the-Rhine” on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 1140 Main Street in Over-the-Rhine. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and the program will begin at 6:30 PM.

We are pleased to celebrate the season by bringing together three stories of the gift of service in Over-the-Rhine. Our speakers will explore: service to our country through the eyes of an Over-the-Rhine resident who served in the 9th Ohio Infantry of the Union Army during the Civil War, service to women by 19th and early 20th century midwives and the changes they experienced as professional medical practice usurped their role, and service to the neighborhood's low-income Appalachian community in the 1960s and 70s at the Main Street Bible Center. We hope you will join us for this celebration of all kinds of giving.

Our speakers for the December 6 program will be:

Andrew Houghtaling | Immigrant Soldiers of the Civil War

Although radical German immigrants played a significant role in 19th Century Cincinnati and its role in the Civil War, the vast majority were working class people just looking for a better life. This talk will use the words of Over-the-Rhine resident Frederick Finnup to explore immigrant life in Over-the-Rhine and the service of the men of the 9th Ohio Infantry. Hear what life was like for an average immigrant soldier living in Over-the-Rhine in his own words.

Andrew Houghtaling graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2004 with a degree in German. Currently a stay-at-home parent, in his spare time he researches German-American involvement in the Civil War. He is currently writing a book on the 9th Ohio Infantry, a German regiment raised in Cincinnati.


Alyssa McClanahan, Ph.D. | Catching Babies: Childbirth & Infant Health in Over-the-Rhine at the Turn of the 20th Century

Explore neighborhood women's childbirth, infant and maternal health practices, particularly working-class and immigrant women's use of the services of local midwives. Examine how, at the turn of the 20th century, obstetricians and public health reformers become involved with these women's health rituals to reduce infant mortality. The talk explores both the positive and negative outcomes of this intervention and its effect on midwifery in Over-the-Rhine.

Alyssa McClanahan, PhD, received her doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in 2016 in U.S. History. Since then, she has taught at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University as an Assistant Adjunct Professor, teaching courses in U.S. history, women’s history, environmental history and urban history. As a Cincinnati-based historian and researcher, she conducts historic building research for local developers and homeowners, and she is currently documenting the history of Findlay Market for the Corporation for Findlay Market. She also works as a historic preservation tax credit consultant.


Michael Maloney | Main Street Bible Center

This talk will explore the rich service of the Main Street Bible Center, Founded by Appalachian migrant leader, Ernie Mynatt,, circa 1962, the center served the community by responding to the needs of Appalachian and black youth and their families for over a decade. The center, located at Main and Woodward, served as a recreation center and source of "friendly home visitors" who were mostly young nuns and seminarians. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati was the sponsor and Fr. John Porter of Old St. Mary's was the center’s director.

Michael Maloney is a community organizer, social researcher, and activist. He holds advanced degrees Education and Planning. He was founding director of the Urban Appalachian Council in Cincinnati and headed the Appalachian Area Office of Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio. Maloney has taught Appalachian studies, planning, and philosophy courses at several area colleges and universities. His Social Areas of Cincinnati studies provide documentation of how Cincinnati and the metropolis have changed demographically from 1970 to 2009.


Doors will open at 6:00 PM for appetizers before the event, with speakers starting at 6:30 PM. The Museum suggests a $5 donation for this evening of provocative stories. The talks will take place on the second floor of 1140 Main St, accessible by stairs or elevator.