A small obelisk commemorates the Point of Beginning for the historic survey of the Northwest territory. It sits along Ohio State Route 39 near the Pennsylvania border. ELCPR has plans to improve and develop the area. (Submitted photo)

EAST LIVERPOOL – The East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization (ELCPR) has been awarded grant funding from the Ohio History Connection to support programs that commemorate the history, legacy, and impact of the Northwest Ordinance. The funding is part of the nation’s America 250 Celebration.

The awards will support two related initiatives designed to engage the public and highlight East Liverpool’s important place in early American history.

The first initiative is a free public lecture series focused on the Northwest Ordinance. Organized and hosted by the Friends of the Library at Carnegie Public Library, the series will feature four presentations by historians and subject-matter experts. The lectures will begin in September and will be open to the public. Grant funding will cover speaker fees as well as the development of four portable interpretive panels, which will be displayed during the series and later made available for loan to schools and educational organizations. Karen Walker serves as Chair of the Friends of the Library.

The second initiative focuses on the development and enhancement of the Point of Beginning, located on the eastern edge of the city. This site is both a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. In 1785, it served as the starting point for surveying the Seven Ranges of the Northwest Territory, establishing the grid system that guided the orderly settlement of much of the American Midwest.

This project will transform the site into an educational and tourism destination through the installation of five permanent interpretive panels. These panels will explore the historical significance of the Northwest Ordinance, the surveying of the Northwest Territory, and the national impact of the Point of Beginning. Site improvements will include grading, seeding, and landscaping, with a goal of creating a cohesive and welcoming environment for visitors. These improvements are especially important given that future plans for the Heritage Bike and Walking Trail include extending the trail to include the Point of Beginning.

Completion and dedication of the outdoor interpretive site are scheduled for fall 2026.

ELCPR is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in East Liverpool through historic preservation, community engagement, and economic revitalization. Stu Wallace serves as Executive Director of the organization.

Susan Weaver, ELCPR Coordinator of Art and History, authored the successful grant applications and will oversee implementation of the funded projects.