Col. Matt Nahorn

Col. Matthew W. Nahorn is a lifelong resident of Amherst, Ohio.

Col. Nahorn (front, center), several years ago during a speaking engagement, stands with Museum associates (left to right): Mr. George Demouth (President, Sandusky Bay Chapter-Archaeological Society of Ohio), Col. Ron Sauer (Museum contributor), Judge W. Zack Dolyk (Museum contributor).

He and his family moved into the historic Shupe Homestead in 1992.  After researching the property and house, he was able to learn quite a bit about the early Amherst, Ohio area.  This led him to found the New Indian Ridge Museum in 2000.  Col. Nahorn has also become increasingly interested in local environmental issues.  He has also founded the Beaver Creek Watershed Protection Group, a local citizens’ informational organization that works to educate landowners on best management practices for their land.  This citizens’ group advocates low impact development and works with willing local developers and property owners on their construction projects located within the Beaver Creek Watershed.  Nahorn currently serves as Beaver Creek Watershed Coordinator.

Col. Nahorn and Mr. Shaulis at Lake Ridge Academy.

Col. Nahorn graduated from Lake Ridge Academy in North Ridgeville, Ohio.  Before graduating, he worked with head of Upper School, Mr. Michael Shaulis, to found and organize the Lake Ridge Academy Archives to preserve and educate others on the school’s rich history.  Col. Nahorn currently serves as director of Archives, while Mr. Shaulis serves as manager.

In November 2011 Col. Nahorn was named Curator of the Amherst Historical Society.  As stated on their website, “The Amherst Historical Society, a nonprofit 50lc(3) organization, was founded in April of 1973 and currently boasts about 350 members. The Society became accredited in 1990 by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums (OAHSM). Only about 15% of Ohio museums and historical societies have achieved such accreditation.”  The Quigley Museum and Historical Society grounds (with several buildings that comprise the “village” area) are located at the intersection of N. Lake Street and Milan Avenue in Amherst.

Col. Matthew W. Nahorn is currently a student of Environmental Studies and History at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.  He continues to actively maintain the Museum while acting as a lifelong student of our environment and history.

On October 3, 2007, I officially became a Kentucky Colonel.  At the September Meeting of the Archaeological Society-Sandusky Bay Chapter, Col. Ron Sauer presented me with this status.  Col. Sauer said that because I was preserving Col. Vietzen’s history, I should be a Kentucky Colonel as well.  This is the highest award bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.  Col. Vietzen acquired that status in 1957 as a result of his archaeological work conducted in Kentucky and the subsequent book that he published on this work.  He was also named an honorary citizen of Tennessee.  About 1940 he was adopted by the Sioux and Navajo Native Americans.

Col. Nahorn stands beside the oldest tree on the preserve property. It is a White oak (Quercus alba) and has been estimated to be between 250-300 years old.

Col. Nahorn stands at the entrance to Glover's Cave (KY) during one of the Museum's explorations to study, preserve, and document the evidence of the Cave's prehistoric inhabitants through photography.