April 30, 2026
Magical History Tour
Class Description
Peter Bronson’s new book, Magical History Tour, offers readers a captivating journey through some of the most fascinating and lesser-known stories from history.
Among these are the tale of the graverobbers who stole the remains of the son of former President William Henry Harrison, an incident that gripped the nation. The book also explores the story of a young man from Wilmington, who played a pivotal role in naming both the city of Denver and the state of Montana. Another intriguing topic covered is the fate of Whitewater Shaker Village. Once a thriving community, it mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind questions about its sudden vanishing. Bronson investigates the story of the first woman in Ohio to be executed in the electric chair, known as the ‘Black Widow.’ He examines why she earned this ominous nickname and the circumstances surrounding her execution. Known as “The Master of Disaster,” this Cincinnati attorney was recognized both locally and nationwide for his remarkable reputation in the field of law. His career was marked by a series of high-profile cases, making him one of the most prominent lawyers in the country.
In addition to these stories, Peter will introduce ten notable places where one can discover the rich history of Cincinnati. This includes a visit to a Civil War camp, as well as several small, unique museums and other significant sites. Each location offers a glimpse into the city’s diverse and fascinating past.
All of Bronson’s books will be available for purchase at $20 each.
Speaker Bio
Peter Bronson, author of Not In Our Town, Forbidden Fruit, and several other books, was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.
Before coming to Cincinnati in 1992, he was editorial page editor and columnist at The Tucson Citizen in Tucson, Arizona. He started his news career in Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University in his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan. He has served on several non-profits, including Casa de los Niños home for abused children in Tucson; Northern Kentucky Children’s Home; Leadership Cincinnati; and Cincinnati Right to Life. He was a regular panelist / producer on the Channel 9 WCPO TV show Hotseat, and on the weekly Tucson news show Arizona Illustrated.
He’s been a contributing editor and columnist at Cincy Magazine, and now is owner and publisher of Chilidog Press LLC, which offers publishing, writing, edition and consulting. His 2005 book, Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots, was a regional bestseller. He is co-author of Legacy of Courage: True Stories of Honor Flight Veterans, and Legacy of Courage II. Chilidog Press has published dozens of books, including Judge A: Irretrievably Broken, Dance When You Can and the national award-winning Submerged.
He is active as a group leader at Horizon Community Church. He enjoys working on old sports cars, playing golf and traveling. He is the father of two, and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Milford.