About OPCHI-CWR
Our Mission
OPCHI-CWR serves the American citizenry & native-American tribes, through (1) historical, geographical, & genealogical research, (2) civic-education outreach efforts that ethically leverage nascent digital and generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, (3) publication of books, monographs, articles, maps & infographics, (4) public-librarianship digital reference and archival stewardship services, (5) digitization of documents, manuscripts, records, and photographs of enduring societal value, cost-free informational support to U.S. military veterans and their families with surname roots in New England, New York, Maryland, the Commonwealths of Kentucky, Pennsylvania & Virginia, and all 200 townships of New Connecticut, and (6) provides volunteers for the clean-up [no-cost for local governments], maintenance, horticultural improvement, and cultural interpretation of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century pioneer-settler cemeteries & family gravesites, and the tribal grounds of the Lenne Lenape people, which are inextricably linked to the historically significant village of New Portage (incorporated in 1816, Portage County) and the incorporated industrial town of Barberton (1891-present).
Our Programs
The OPCHI-CWR, in the spirit of the ongoing “America 250-Ohio” campaign, is formed as of May 12, 2025 in Barberton, Ohio, as an unincorporated nonprofit association (UNA), with the intent to register its name with the Secretary of State of Ohio and seek nonprofit organization status pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). It is dedicated to preserving historic sites within Connecticut’s Western Reserve, especially within Portage, Medina, and Summit counties, for the public’s benefit and to enrich local communities through various cultural heritage activities that establish a nexus to the pioneer-settlers of New Connecticut and the Northwest Territory of the United States. OPCHI-CWR aims to educate the American public, regional citizenry, and local residents about the history, culture, and societal legacy of pioneer-settlers in Ohio. Through engaging educational initiatives, we aim to foster a more profound comprehension and appreciation for this significant era of our shared American heritage.
Our Purpose
The inspiration for creating the Ohio Pioneers Cultural Heritage Institute of Connecticut’s Western Reserve (OPCHI-CWR) is fivefold: (1) the U.S. President’s order of January 29, 2025, directing the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to prepare for and execute the national celebration of America’s 250th Birthday (Semiquincentennial) on July 4, 2026; (2) the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission’s initiatives; (3) the Governor of Connecticut’s Executive Order No. 22-2 of July 1, 2022; (4) the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), Title 1 (State Government), Chapter 149 (Documents, Reports, and Records), Section 149.309 (Ohio commission for the United States Semiquincentennial), effective October 3, 2023, by the 135th General Assembly, House Bill 33, along with the Governor of Ohio’s pronouncement of the Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (“America 250-Ohio”), including its mission and gubernatorial appointments promulgated on March 1, 2022; and (5) the Summit County (Ohio) Council Resolution No. 2024-122 (establishing the Summit County AMERICA 250 Committee), effective April 30, 2024.