Hillbilly Elegy Trivia Answers—Week 2
To celebrate the release of Netflix's film "Hillbilly Elegy" we have been sharing trivia questions about Middletown local history. Answers to those questions, along with additional info and links can be found below.
5. Author JD Vance graduated from Middletown High School. In what year was the first issue of the Middletown High yearbook, The Optimist, published?
ANSWER: B. 1913
http://www.midpointedigitalarchives.org/digital/collection/Midpoint01/id/3
6. Vance’s mother and sister were nurses in the Middletown area. In what year did the Middletown Hospital open?
ANSWER: C. 1917
Opening on March 5, 1917, Middletown Hospital began as the Middletown Hospital. In 1924, a major expansion was completed, bringing the number of rooms in the hospital from 28 to 100. The hospital continued to expand, becoming the Middletown Regional Hospital in 1983. By 2000, the need for more space and newer facilities necessitated a move. In 2007, the Atrium Medical Center – located near the intersection of I-75 and Route 122 – opened, and the Middletown Regional Hospital closed. In 2013, the Middletown Regional Hospital was demolished.
http://www.midpointedigitalarchives.org/digital/collection/Crout/id/1462/rec/2
7. Author Vance mentions in “Hillbilly Elegy” going to church with his dad in Middletown. The First United Methodist Church traces its history back to the activities of what Reverend?
ANSWER: C. Rev. James Grimes
The First United Methodist Church of Middletown traces itself to the activities of The Rev. James Grimes. In 1829, the Methodists they erected their first building at the corner of Main Street and today's Manchester Avenue. This photograph is of the new and larger building that was constructed in 1849. It was located on Broad Street between Third Street (Central Avenue) and Second Street (Manchester Avenue). The building was dedicated January 20, 1850, by Rev. George W. Walker, the Presiding Elder. The building was referred to as the Walker Chapel. In 1855, the local congregation split with the Methodist Episcopal Church continuing to worship in this building, while the Methodist Protestant Church relocated. In 1872, the bell tower was added and a bell was obtained from the Buckeye Bell Foundry of Cincinnati. In 1875, the capacity of the sanctuary was increased, the front was remodeled, new stairway was installed, a beautiful walnut pulpit was added as were new pews, stained glass windows and large glass chandeliers installed. A wall of this building still stands in the old Dohn Hardware Store. Wilfred D. Vorhis on page 10 of his 1956 book, "The Story of a Church," states that "no photograph can be found" of this building before the changes were made. He does show a drawing of the building of the previous building. In 1891 a much larger church was constructed on the northwest corner of Broad Street and Fifth Street (Second Avenue). It is still used by the United Methodists.
http://www.midpointedigitalarchives.org/digital/collection/Crout/id/1126/rec/4
8. In which building currently on South Main Street was this room of the Armco Association located?
ANSWER: D. Sorg Opera House
The Armco Association got its start in 1903. It was an employees' mutual benefit organization. They sponsored the Armco Club in specially designated rooms in the Sorg Opera Building on South Main Street. Often referred to as billiards, the game of pool was popular with the men who worked at Armco. This photograph was used in the November 1914 issue of Armco Bulletin.