During June, Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum is exhibiting a collection of Estella Armstrong Perkins’ paintings which were donated to the museum. Estella was born on December 8, 1870, in Armstrong Mills, Ohio in Belmont County. She is the great, granddaughter of Thomas Armstrong, the founder of the small rural town. As Estella aged and her family gone, she lived in a poor shanty in the woods and painting became her means of support. With almost no eyesight, Estella used the magazine “Life” as the source of her subject matter. Estella Armstrong Perkins became the “Grandma Moses of Eastern Ohio.” As a young boy, William Miller remembers visiting Estella and requesting that she paint Flicka and her colt. Although William never saw Estella again, his family maintained a collection of five of her paintings as a memory to her. Estella Armstrong Perkins died on August 8, 1962. She was 91 years old, and she was buried in the Armstrong Mills Cemetery.

This special art exhibit is included in the regular admission to the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum. For additional information, view the museum’s visit the museum website page.

We invite the public to attend on Monday, June 3rd at 6 p.m. a talk and special exhibit about Hopalong Cassidy, who was played by Hendrysburg, Ohio native William Boyd. Boyd was born on June 5, 1895, in Hendrysburg, Ohio, and grew up in Cambridge, Ohio. Boyd became known for his hero cowboy role Hopalong Cassidy.

Linda F. Robertson is the featured speaker. Linda is the author of “Bull Sh*t with Cream on It: A Leadership Memoir” and worked at Kent State University for 22 years. As a child, Linda grew up on a remote Wyoming sheep ranch in the 1950s. In her book, Linda explores how her childhood experiences on the ranch influenced her leadership and actions later in life. This free event will display memorabilia and items from the former Hopalong Cassidy Museum. Refreshments will be served following the talk.

Join us at the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum on Monday, May 20th at 6 p.m. for a talk by Karen Jacobs Tellep, author of “Just Billy” and sister of artist Billy Jacobs. Karen will be sharing her memories and stories about her late brother Billy. He started his career in the Country Gift Industry in the early 1980s as a wood crafter and designer, transitioning to painting in the 2000s. Billy became known for his folky primitive style and depiction of the rural American countryside. Billy specialized in landscape and still life scenes, using a variety of mediums. His inspiration came from life experiences and specific scenes or buildings. His art gallery is located in Navarre, Ohio. Karen Jacobs Tellep will sign her book “Just Billy,” which will be available. This free event is open to the public.