Stepping through the doors of Building 64 at the Fort Hayes campus, visitors can now delve into a swath of history encapsulated in a new exhibit that breathes life into the campus’ military past—back when it was known as Columbus Barracks before its namesake tribute to Ohio’s very own President Rutherford B. Hayes.
The effort, a decade in progression, showcases an array of archival treasures such as old maps, postcards, photos, and journals penned by servicemen of yore, according to a recent release by the
Columbus City Schools Office of Communications
, Eric East, a history teacher at Fort Hayes, began assembling these pieces of history back in 2014, the collection is still growing as donations continue to pour in, and it’s been championed by the Fort Hayes Historical Society—a student-run organization that’s fearlessly led the charge in curating the collection.
The exhibit’s unveiling came at an opportune moment—right on Veterans Day, tying the campus’ historical threads with the recognition of military service nationwide. East, who started his tenure at Fort Hayes amidst the bustle of military life and has witnessed the transformation of the campus since 1999, reminisced with
Columbus City Schools Office of Communications
, “When I first started here in 1999, we would see soldiers marching around campus and Humvees parked.”
Among the guests at the exhibit’s opening ceremony was Sgt. Thomas Herbert, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1976 to 1982 before settling down in Columbus. The display clearly left an impression, serving as a beacon for younger generations. He conveyed his feelings to the
Columbus City Schools Office of Communications
as he said, “These young kids need to understand that we have to fight for this country and democracy to keep everyone safe.”
The attendees also witnessed a tribute to veterans that included a rendition of Taps and a parade by the Fort Hayes Air Force Junior ROTC, which was followed by an open invitation to tour the intimate halls of memory and tradition artfully displayed in Hoffman’s named to honor, the exhibition stands as not only a testament to the shared legacy of the men and women in uniform who graced the campus grounds but also an educational pivot point for those students now walking the same halls, albeit under a different banner of learning and growth.
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