CHARM – The Holmes County Historical Society presents ‘”Sculpted by Ice, The Geologic History of Troyer’s Hollow” with Dr. Terry Lahm, Ph.D., on Saturday, June 4.
Lahm, a Holmes County native, is professor of geology and environmental sciences, and senior associate provost at Capital University.
This free program takes place at the Keim Conference Center located at 4465 state Route 557 in Charm. Doors open at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are invited to go to the Hollow on Township Road 154 after the program. Lahm will be there to answer questions.
Troyer’s Hollow and the Doughty Valley have a rich history, both culturally and geologically to this portion of Ohio, according to Lahm.
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“The deeply incised Doughty Creek runs through Troyer’s Hollow with the steep walls of the hollow over 240 feet deep,” Lahm said. “This uncharacteristic depth of Troyer’s Hollow may appear out of place in the more gently rolling hills of Holmes County.
“We will take a tour through some of this rich history to better understand how this icon of a location came to be and how its history shapes the land, ecosystem and our culture,” he added.
Lahm shared more about his program, noting he will address how the small Doughty Creek created such a deep valley, and why it is unique when compared to other land forms found in the area.
“The geologic history of Troyer’s Hollow is one dominated by the continental glaciation that covered two-thirds of Ohio and was at its maximum extend 18,000 to 50,000 years ago,” Lahm said. “Massive ice sheets moved into what is now Ohio carving out the Great Lakes but also leaving behind some of the richest farmland in the country.”
He noted that Holmes County is on the great margin between these massive glacial ice sheets and unglaciated areas in the Appalachian foothills.
“We will take a tour of this complex and dynamic landscape to understand how these geologic processes shaped the current land, but also to some degree our culture and economy,” Lahm said. “We will see the evidence of the past in the remnants of fossils left behind as well as ecosystems and watershed characteristics that shape our lives today.”
Holmes County Historical Society Director Mark Boley said this is part of the free educational programming at the historical society.
“The valley has fascinated people for generations with its unique features and history and has been used by various groups over the years for reunions, church functions, etc.,” Boley said. “Stories of massive gold deposits are common among locals.”
Capital University geology professor to speak about Troyer's Hollow – Wooster Daily Record
