Akron's Bicentennial Commission is hitting the books—quite literally—with the release of a new historical anthology in celebration of the city's 200th anniversary. Mayor Shammas Malik was presented with the first copy of "Akron at 200: A Bicentennial History," a 427-pager packed with Akron's past, as the celebrations keep on rolling. Imbued with a mix of expertise from 26 authors and edited by insiders Dave Lieberth and Dr. Jon Miller, this volume is published by the University of Akron Press and proudly sponsored by the City of Akron itself.
In his ongoing efforts to acknowledge and festoon Akron's milestone year with historical context, Mayor Malik acknowledged the weight of this work. "As we continue to celebrate Akron’s Bicentennial, this anthology adds important new context to our rich history," he told the City of Akron's news outlet. It's a tradition in keeping with anniversary marked tomes of '25, '50, and '75, each a time capsule crafted by the era's leading historians and tailored to the narratives and technologies available to them—the digital age simply being the latest upgrade.
The brainpower behind the new release isn't shying away from the complexities or the underrepresented stories woven through Akron’s backdrop. Dave Lieberth, Executive Secretary of the Akron Bicentennial Commission, orchestrated a team of authors, each bringing a history of publication to the table. This anthology dares to delve into previously uncharted waters, featuring new insights on Akron's history, freshly aided by digital archives and contemporary archaeological and anthropological sciences. Lieberth elucidates the mission, noting, "The need for a new history is driven by the need to utilize the tools of science that we have today that were unavailable to previous authors."According to the City of Akron's press release.
It's not all about adding new layers to already-told tales. "Akron at 200" also braids in the first-ever written history of Akron’s LGBTQ+ community while clarifying the fog around myths and legends that have long tinted the narratives of Indigenous peoples. In a statement, Dr. Jon Miller, who shares editorial credits on the project and serves as Director of the University of Akron Press, pitched the anthology as an in-depth look into lesser-known segments of the city's story, one that "consolidates new writing about the history of our city."
For the bibliophiles or the casually curious, secure your copy during the Bicentennial week at a kinder price, or type in "bicentennial30" when you pre-order online (just not on your phone) for a decent discount. If you’re local to Akron, you can pick up a copy in person at a specially discounted rate during select summer events. And for those who prefer the feel of library leather beneath their fingertips, reserve a read at various Akron library branches once they hit the shelves. The essence of Akron past and present bound in paper—a history buff's way to celebrate a bicentennial in style.
