By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
At the young age of 7, Matt Donahue was going through trash bins looking for beer cans. Not for recycling, but for collecting.
It would be the start of a lifetime of collecting for Donahue.
The beer cans, along with an eclectic combination of items such as Wonder Woman memorabilia, Dr. Seuss books, and salt and pepper shakers, are part of a new program at the Wood County Historical Center and Museum.
The exhibits feature several community members’ collections for the site’s new “Be Your Own Museum” program. The site was opened to guests Friday to show off the loaned collections.
There are superheroes and comic book character from Larry Nader, 1950s era toys from Mary Dilsaver, vintage sewing machines from Cindy Huffman, Nancy Drew books from Jayne Tegge, hand-painted china from Jane Westerhaus, Pez dispensers from Kelli Kling, and more.
Roger Mazzarella, who is sharing his collection of tin soldiers, dressed the part Friday, wearing a replica of a 1879 Wales military uniform.
“I’m a historian at heart,” said Mazzarella, who is a retired history teacher.
Mazzarella acquired the initial pieces of his collection from his father who served as an Army medic in World War II. When his father passed down the toy soldier collection to his son, Mazzarella tried to sell them to another collector. But instead, he came home with not only his dad’s collection, but several more pieces.
He was hooked.
The same was true for Donahue, whose initial collecting turned into a career in popular culture, which he teaches at Bowling Green State University.
Donahue grew up in Maumee, in a home right behind the Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge. It was a great place for a young collector. He would go through the trash looking for different kinds of beer cans. He later traveled to other bars in the city to expand his collection.
“I have hundreds and hundreds,” Donahue said, standing in front of a wall of cans. “This is only a small part of my collection.”
His favorites are the more unusual ones, like the George Washington bicentennial can, the Cincinnati Reds Hudepohl, the J. R. Ewing can, and the Billy Beer can.
He did not, for those wondering, drink his way through his collection.
“I’m not much of a drinker. I’m more of a collector,” Donahue said.
And it’s not just beer cans. He collects guitars, bicycles, T-shirts, records, post cards and comic books. So Donahue really appreciates the “Be Your Own Museum” project at the historical center.
“I love these type of exhibits,” he said. “It really gives an insight into people’s interests. It’s cool that fellow collectors get to bring their stuff out.”
Kelli Kling, marketing and events coordinator at the museum, said the project is meant to encourage everyone to explore their own collections.
“We are all collectors of something,” she said. “The main purpose of a museum is to collect and preserve elements of the community for future generations. The goal is to get people to think differently about everyday things.”
