Kinsman Historical Collection

The Kinsman Historical Collection, housed in Kinsman Free Public Library, features an eclectic mix of archival materials and objects of this proud rural community of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Located near the Ohio and Pennsylvania border in Trumbull County, Kinsman, Ohio, is named for John Kinsman who made his first trip to the area in 1799. He moved his family to join other industrious settlers in the process of carving a town out of the wilderness. Kinsman went on to be the home of Clarence Darrow, the "lawyer for the underdog;" Major League umpire Bill McKinley, notable physician Dr. Peter Allen and Ernest Lyman Scott a pioneer of insulin research, in addition to many hardworking farmers, business owners, and families. Maintaining the Kinsman Historical Collection aids the Library’s mission by preserving, providing access to, and educating the community on local history, specifically pertaining to Kinsman and its people. The Historical Collection is a repository of primary and secondary source material; organized, cataloged, cared for, and administered by the Library Director and Reference staff.