From the Editor

In June 1887 the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society published the first issue of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly, with the hardback volume entitled Publications. I. W. Andrews provided the lead article, "The Beginnings of the Colonial System of the United States," and B. A. Hinsdale closed with "Western Land Policy of the British Government from 1763–1785." The Quarterly included the Society's annual Proceedings from 1885 to 1887 and the Report of the Executive Committee for 1887–88. A publication gap occurred after volume 3 appeared in 1891 due to reasons that are not entirely clear, but it resumed with volume 4 in 1896. In these early issues the authors provided solid, descriptive narratives of their chosen subjects and thereby helped launch an authoritative source for anyone interested in the history of Ohio.

The title of the journal remained the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly for the next fifty-nine years, until January 1955, when it became the Ohio Historical Quarterly. By the mid–twentieth century it had earned a national reputation as the journal of record for Ohio's history and as a publication that journal editors at other state historical societies considered a model. The Ohio Historical Quarterly had evolved from a publication under the direction of an editorial board to a professional publication with a skilled editor, James H. Rodabaugh. In 1962 the title changed again to Ohio History. Carl M. Becker provided the lead article, entitled "Picture of a Young Copperhead." (You have perhaps noticed that the lead article in this issue comes from Carl Becker.)

In 1982 Ohio History became an annual publication, and in 1986 it became a biannual journal. In 2002, after 106 years of continuous of publication and 116 years of print since 1887, financial diffi culties mandated that the Ohio Historical Society end publication of the journal in print form. Volume 111, the Winter/Spring issue, brought an end to a distinguished journal, at least in paper format. The Summer/Autumn issue appeared as an online publication that continued for the entire issue of volume 112 in 2003. Then, for the next three years Ohio History ceased to exist.

But there were still many who treasured the journal for its incisive articles that had made an immeasurable contribution to the history of the territory and State of Ohio for more then a century. As a result, in 2006 the Kent State University Press made a commitment to revive Ohio History, and Will Underwood, director of the Press, asked me to serve as editor. This offer proved daunting, and I refused several times before he and Joanna Hildebrand Craig, assistant director and editor-in-chief, convinced me to assume this responsibility. I was reluctant not only because I understood the amount of work involved with an editorship but also because few scholarly journals have been revived once publication ceased. In addition, the previous editors were skilled, knowledgeable professionals who knew Ohio's history and deftly wielded their editorial pens. For more than a century their cumulative work firmly established Ohio History as an authoritative journal on which all students of the state's history, scholars, and the reading public alike could rely with confi dence for historical accuracy. If I accepted, I would follow in the wake of their considerable achievements in an attempt to reestablish Ohio History as the journal of record for the history of Ohio.

With this issue, I hope that you will agree that the journal has returned to its rightful place among the leading state historical journals. Ohio History is back, and it has a bright future.