NILES - The Niles Historical Society will hold the annual Heritage Day from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 at the grounds of the Ward-Thomas House Museum, 503 Brown St.
This year also marks the 150th birthday of the Ward-Thomas House.
Audrey John, museum curator, said the festivities will include tours of the 14-room Ward-Thomas Museum, the barn and the flower gardens.
Scheduled events include caricature artist Rick Muccio, who will be creating drawings of the visitors, June Karovic demonstrating quilting, Barbara James displaying antique buttons, and music by "Little Joe" and the Girard Community Swing Band.
John said a large tent will be erected by the barn where Civil War items will be on display. Inside the barn, a private collection of Civil War artifacts will be shown, along with a Southwest Indian display of large paintings, bead work, dishes and other Native American artifacts.
At 2 p.m., Mayor Ralph Infante will cut the birthday cake in celebration of the 150 years since the Ward-Thomas Museum was built by James Ward. Tours of the Victorian-styled mansion will be throughout the day.
Also planned are "Birds in Flight" program at 2:15 p.m. with Heather Merritt, who is a raptor and waterfowl rehabilitator, who has been presenting educational programs. She continually is called upon to help injured wildlife.
''There is something for everyone to see and enjoy. We want people to spend a leisurely day relaxing on the grounds,'' John said.
John said the society will have publications and other items for sale along with a bake sale and food.
The Ward-Thomas House was constructed in 1862 during the Civil War. James Ward, an industrial leader, built the house, Ward founded the Ward Iron Manufacturing Co., and he and his family lived in a house on Main Street where the Farmers Bank now stands.
For more information, call 330-544-2143.