Toledo Stories

African Americans came to Toledo seeking freedom. Denied many opportunities based on the color of their skin, they were nonetheless determined to be part of this modern, industrialized city. They energized Toledo by building their own churches, business and institutions, many of which remain active today. Celebrate the lives and the legacy of community leaders like Ella P. Stewart and Art Tatum.

From a mischievous woodchuck that started it all, to Bunnyville and the escapades of Slippery Cyril, the Sea Lion, to a pair of rare giant pandas who brought the world to our door – you will witness the birth of the Toledo Zoo! Watch as the zoo grows from a small scale amusement park to a world-class zoological park.

Polish Immigrants settled into two distinct neighborhoods in Toledo: “Lagrinka,” in the north and “Kuschwantz” on the southern outskirts of Toledo. The Poles helped to build Toledo with a sense of pride, rooted in their desire to claim a part of it as their own.

In its infancy, broadcasting in Toledo was usually live and mostly unpredictable. Frank Venner, Gordon Ward, Jim Rudes and other television and radio personalities, who had long careers in northwest Ohio, recall the early days in this WGTE production.

In close-knit Toledo neighborhoods and in area farming communities, German immigrants helped bring this region to life. They cleared land, established small businesses, and built churches that formed the hearts of their neighborhoods. This program celebrates the ethnic heritage of our area and chronicles the role of the Germans in shaping the area as we know it today.

Before there were franchises of chain stores or superstores in every town, Toledo had a department store that was the center of the community. Also, downtown had a vast array of theaters where people spent the best nights of their lives. For generations of people in Northwest Ohio, Downtown Toledo was a hot spot, offering plenty of big city entertainment and shopping.

Explore the 1950s craze from its beginnings as a post-World War II hobby to its current resurgence as a collectible by enthusiastic fans. Narrator Dan Robbins started it all as an artist for the Palmer Paint Company, which later became known as Craft Master. His concept for a fill-in-the-spaces paint set became one of the biggest fads in history.

Known for its impressive art collection and splendid exhibits, the Toledo Museum of Art is revered as one of the finest museums in the country. The Toledo Museum of Art: A Centennial Portrait chronicles the museum from its beginnings, to the world-renowned museum it is today. The remarkable history of this institution is captured through interviews and rare archival photographs and film.

Celebrate 75 years of preserving the natural beauty of northwest Ohio with this video field guide to the parks. The history of each Metropark is documented through in-depth interviews, archival film and photographs, detailing how the parks were selected and preserved, from the work done by the WPA on the state donated Canal Lands to the political battle to save one of the area’s most popular parks.

Irish immigrants built northwest Ohio from the ground up. They dug the canal, drained the swamp and built churches. Their hard work – and their songs and dances – added greatly to the character of the area. This WGTE production celebrates the Irish contribution to the building of Toledo.

Long before America’s colonial settlement and westward expansion, dense Eastern Forests gave way to an extensive patchwork of oak savannas and wet prairies that covered 30 million acres. Oak Openings Region Discovering Our Natural Heritage explores a rare vestige of this unique and beautiful habitat, located in Northwest Ohio and designated as “one of America’s Last Great Places.”

WGTE’s Production, The Storied Life of Millie Benson, recounts the life story of one of Toledo’s most famous residents. Mildred Wirt Benson, who began her career as a ghostwriter in the late 1920’s, authored 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew novels. She was also responsible for the development of one of the famous young character as an independent, bold and risk-taking female sleuth.

Developed for the battlefield during World War II, the Jeep was called the wartime "limousine of Presidents and Privates" and was the vehicle of choice. This remarkable documentary, vividly recalls how the small and mighty Jeep carried men and supplies, acted as a power source for heat and light, served as an emergency ambulance and even acted as an altar for chaplains on the battlefield.

In 1812, a very young United States of America had its sights set on expansion to the north and the west. But the British wanted to keep its former colony tightly contained. In the balance were the lands of the Northwestern Frontier. “War of 1812 in the Old Northwest” brings to life some of the most famous names and places of the war.

The frontier was a gateway to further western expansion; a Great Lakes highway to natural resources; and a military challenge to the combatants. The War of 1812 would decide who controlled the lands of the Northwestern Frontier, and the future of a continent.

In 1927, seven brothers who were partners in one of the most successful companies in the U.S. stood at the groundbreaking of a new, bold building that would bear their name. The name Fisher stood for quality and safety in the auto industry. The Fisher coach logo on the doorsill of millions of autos and the slogan Body by Fisher was a hallmark of reliability and American manufacturing and style.

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is one of Toledo’s family favorites, but behind the scenes there is more of a story to tell. For Toledo Zoo employees, caring for 7,200 animals, breeding endangered species and teaching our community about preserving natural habitats is all in a day’s work. Learn about the international, national and local initiatives that makes the zoo more than just a place to visit.

“Encore! The Story of the Valentine Theatre” explores the history, culture, and crucial role it has and continues to plays in downtown Toledo. From winning the deed in a card game, to the rivalry with the Paramount Theater, and surviving a mayor set on demolishing it, this Toledo landmark holds many little-known stories in its walls.

The Toledo Warehouse District is a premier urban neighborhood that packs businesses, homes, restaurants, a minor league baseball team and a beautiful metropark into 33 blocks. Shaped by trading via the Miami Erie Canal in the 1800s, this unique district thrived throughout many eras.

The second in a two-part series, The Warehouse District Revitalized takes a look at the future of the Toledo Warehouse District.

Located on a small campus in the Old West End, Mary Manse College provided young women with a high-quality college education, notably in the fields of education and nursing. Despite its more than 50-year existence, the college has faded from Toledo’s memory since its closing in 1975. Thanks to a dedicated and fiercely proud alumni association, the story of Mary Manse College lives on.

Follow the astonishing travels of migratory birds and the migrations of people who love them. Hosted by award-winning outdoor author, Steve Pollick, this program guides viewers on a journey that culminates in northwest Ohio during the Biggest Week in American Birding. Kimberly Kaufman, Kenn Kaufman and other experts throughout the birding world discuss themes of ecology, conservation and more.

COVID-19 has devastated and continues to harm communities of color. The VProject Storytellers program, hosted by Doni Miller, captures the toll taken on our community by the virus and provides insight into the profound impact of those affected. African American Toledoans share their stories and experiences with COVID-19.