[Linked Image from dawesarb.org] [Linked Image from dawesarb.org]

Did you know The Dawes Arboretum, located in Newark, Ohio, hosts an annual History Center exhibit? This year, The Arboretum’s exhibit is Fueling a Legacy: The Pure Oil Company and Beman Dawes. It focuses on the history of The Pure Oil Company, its local impact and how Beman’s funds from The Pure Oil Company were used to create and sustain The Dawes Arboretum, a now nearly 2,000-acre property.

Every month until October, we will share a monthly feature about something fascinating within the exhibit. For the month of June, learn about how our Historian cleaned Pure Oil gas coveralls.

The coveralls, pictured here, would have been worn by service station employees. These coveralls were generously donated by a Dawes family member.

The Arboretum’s Historian, Leslie Wagner, cleaned the coveralls to their original coloring to her best ability. She learned how to do so in 2022 from Ohio State University’s Costumes and Textile Curator. She soaked them overnight in distilled water and OxiClean, rinsing the soapy water off the next day and then air drying. After an hour of intense ironing, the coveralls looked noticeably better with a majority of the stains coming out.

These coveralls are one of the many artifacts you can come and see at the exhibit this year. The Dawes Arboretum is located at 7770 Jackstontown Rd in Newark, Ohio. The History Center exhibit is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but it will be open for special hours during our Dawes Homecoming Community Picnic on Sunday, July 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dawes will have free admission all day.