Join us August 1, 2026 at 10am at the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society at 123 West George, as we host a Victorian themed tea with guest Larry Wright.
Larry descends from the Ivester-Kepner family. His grandmother was Bernice Helen Kepner who married Harold Theo Wright Sr. There son was Harold Theo Wright, Jr. who is Larry Wright’s father. Helen Kepner Wright’s mother was Josephine or Emma Ivester whose father was George Ivester. George had six children and built the lovely Victorian brick home at the end of High Street on North Street. Today, it is the Arcanum Public Library.
Mattie or Martha Ivester was the last Ivester to pass. Upon her death, much of the ground or farm around the home was sold. However, one parcel was donated to the Village of Arcanum to always be used as a park, thus it was known as the Ivester Park. Today, the Nature Preserve sits on land was owned by the Ivesters and part of the original farm.
George Ivester and H. A. Kepner were both prominent business men in Arcanum. There bio’s are a part of the Beers History book as well as the collection and research information in the AWTHS archives.
The tea and open hours August 1 will give the public a chance to view rare artifacts that are normally not out for display. And you will have a chance to chat with Larry about the big house and Ivester-Kepner families.
Kindly RSVP to reserve a tea cup for the tea and light refreshments. awthsinfo@gmail.com. The awths house is open from 9-noon that day.
Afterward enjoy an educational tour of the Arcanum Public Library from 9-1pm and view artifacts found in the home.
Questions? Contact us at awthsinfo@gmail.com or through Messenger on Facebook.
Please follow blog guidelines. Contents are part of AWTHS archives.