Editor's Note

It is with some trepidation that I agreed to take over the editorship of Ohio History from R. Douglas Hurt this year. Ohio History has ranked among the best state and regional history journals for more than a century. Although the journal has witnessed some uneven times in the past ten years, in 2006 Will Underwood, director of Kent State University Press, and Hurt committed to the journal's return to print. From 2007 through 2009, Hurt returned the journal to its rightful standing in regional history scholarship and gave generously of his time and scholarly knowledge.

When he approached me at the annual Ohio Academy of History meeting in spring 2008 to ask if I would be willing to replace him as editor, I was a bit surprised but ultimately pleased to agree. I thank R. Douglas Hurt and Will Underwood, Sandy Clark, and Joyce Harrison at Kent State University Press for their confidence in my editing ability and for their invaluable assistance during this transition year. As a regular teacher of Ohio history and a scholar of regional history, it is my goal to continue the tradition of supporting scholarship that highlights the complex and interesting history of Ohio and the surrounding region.