Kirby Day

Join the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve in celebrating Kirby Day – and honoring Jim Kirby (a prolific inventor and avid fisherman) — on Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Richfield Heritage Preserve.   Use the 3771 Oviatt Road park entrance (off Rt. 303). This year’s theme is “Fishing Friends” — and the event will include fishing lessons, kids’ activities/crafts, games, ice block sledding, and fascinating STEM-related challenges. Refreshments (including grilled hot dogs/bratwurst, chips and root beer floats) will be offered for a donation. This free, family-friendly event will be held rain or shine. It’s listed as an Ohio History Connection’s “Ohio Open Doors” event – when Ohio historic buildings and landmarks open their doors for special tours and events in an effort to promote, educate and inspire pride in Ohio’s amazing heritage.

Richfield Heritage Preserve (RHP), now a 336-acre public park, was once home to well-known inventor Jim Kirby – whose inventions helped improve the lives of women by eliminating some of housework’s drudgery. His gorgeous multi-level Swiss chalet style home, one-of-a-kind Garfield Hall (a dance hall he built on streetcar springs) and the mill he constructed to produce hydroelectric power for his home and workshop still stand on the property.  Kirby was also an avid fisherman and created two lakes (the upper lake known as Lake Linnea and the lower lake known as Lake Jinelle) on his property — which he stocked with fish. Catch and release fishing from the shore is still available at both lakes.

For further information and event updates, visit friendsofrhp.org