OHIO Archives

Ohio University Libraries Archives & Special Collections

Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day 2025

By Greta Suiter, Manuscripts Archivist.

This year’s Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day took place at Stuarts Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio on Saturday, September 6, 2025. It was the first time this event was held in Athens County. Nelsonville was once known as the “first Little City” because of its history as a place to mine coal. This free public event brought together local history enthusiasts, historical societies, and regional organizations such as Rural Action and Ohio’s Winding Road for a day of information sharing and honoring the cultural legacy of this Ohio microregion of coal mining towns.

President of Little Cities, Tyler McDaniel, presents on where the Little Cities of Black Diamonds region is in Athens, Hocking, Morgan, and Perry counties. An interactive map is available on the Little Cities website. Photo by Greta Suiter.
Nancy Devol Rose plays the accordion next to a table of glass bottles collected by Cameron Blosser. Photo by Greta Suiter.

Stuarts Opera House provided an amazing venue, rich in history, and beautifully restored and preserved. Tables of artisans, community groups, and organizations were on the first floor and up a steep flight of stairs presentations were given on the historic stage. Speakers included:

  • Brian Koscho of Invisible Ground opened the day with a presentation on place-based storytelling using podcasts and augmented reality.
  • Cameron Blosser showcased antique coal mining tools in an educational show.
  • Talcon Quinn & Cristina Benedetti introduced their Living Traditions initiative, celebrating Appalachian folk practices.
  • Nancy Devol Rose, a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller, performed original songs inspired by mining communities like Hopperville and Haydenville.
  • T. Chris Wilson and Scott Moore shared insights on the region’s geography and natural history.
  • Dr. Amanda Flowers, representing the Tablertown People of Color Museum, spoke on racial equity and future plans of the Museum.
  • Tyler McDaniel, President of Little Cities of Black Diamonds, closed the day with reflections on the history and future of the Little Cities archives and their success with preserving regional history.
The first floor of Stuart’s Opera House with tables for community groups, artisans, and organizations during Little Cities Day. Photo by Greta Suiter.

The Ohio University archives had a table and we were able to talk to people about the mapping work we are doing with the W. E. Peters collection and Sanborn Maps, as well as share about recent digitization projects such as providing digital access to store books from mining communities from the Columbus & Hocking Coal and Iron Co. records.

Ohio University Libraries table at Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day. Photos by Greta Suiter.

My favorite part of the day was taking a walk around the square and seeing historic photos with the Invisible Ground app. By using the app and standing in a specific spot one can see historical images in the current environment creating an immersive historical marker experience. There’s also a companion podcast about Stuart’s Opera House which provides great contextual information about the 145 year old theater.

Stuart’s Opera House, 1940, W.E. Peters papers.
Historic photo of Stuart’s Opera House stage from Parade of the Hills 1975 program.
Cover of the 1975 Parade of the Hills program featuring the Stuart Opera House stage.
Screenshot from the Invisible Ground app showing a historic photo of the Stuart Opera House stage over what is currently there.
Screenshot from the Invisible Ground app showing the outside of Stuart’s Opera House during preservation construction.

 

 

Greta Suiter

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