Small Business Spotlight: The History Store
Did you play with toy soldiers or pretend to be cowboys and Indians as a kid? Did you ever wonder about the stories behind the stories taught in history class?
We know just the place to help you get some of those answers and inspire a grown-up toy soldier collection. In fact, it’s the flagship store for the oldest toy soldier maker in the world and it’s right here in southern Ohio.
The History Store is located in Chillicothe’s historic downtown and is your destination for miniatures, books and other items that help keep the past alive. Regardless of your age, it’s impossible to just walk past the glass cases filled with scenes from another time like World War II era troops poised for combat, Shawnee leader Tecumseh staring up at you, and even the Ohio State University Marching Band frozen in time in their trademark script Ohio formation.
Owner Drew Musser spent many a childhood hour playing with old metal toy soldiers that belonged to his stepfather Ed Kunzelman. That hobby grew into a love for Chillicothe history and for the old homes along tree-lined streets near downtown. He grew up in a family that made learning geography and history into a game, something they did together around the kitchen table, and that helped shape him into an adult whose eyes sparkle when he shares stories from another time.
He grew up and moved away, had a career in sales and marketing, and later spent fourteen years as a science and history teacher in Colorado. But he never forgot his hometown, Ohio’s first and third capital, which eagerly embraces its past as part of a movement to build tourism. That’s what brought Drew and his wife Stephanie back to Chillicothe where they saved a historic home and gave it a future as The Willis-James Bed and Breakfast.
That’s also how Drew found himself back at The History Store. His stepfather opened the store in the nineties and was looking to shift his attention to other interests. Drew saw potential for the store through remodeling, expanded inventory, and global online sales which would reach a broader audience.
He bought the store in October 2023 and the rest, as they say, is history.
“We widened our inventory so there is something here for all ages and a larger range of eras,” he said as he pointed to vignettes showcasing a Confederate drummer boy and Union Cavalry members atop trotting horses. Men in kilts and revolutionary war soldiers can be found on glass shelves not far from complex collections of World War II scenes. Keep looking and you’ll find Cleopatra, miniatures from the old west, and knights in armor atop horses so realistic you’re sure they could charge straight out of the case.
The History Store carries a few lines of miniatures but is now the flagship store for W. Britain, which has been making toy soldiers since 1893. The company was a household name for their metal hollowcast toy soldiers until the late 1950s when plastic toys became all the rage. Today they are best known for museum quality pieces which are favored by collectors the world over.
Today, the W. Britain headquarters and warehouse are located in Chillicothe, a quick walk from The History Store where collectors flock to find new pieces for their collection. Their 1/30 scale miniatures are made of metal and painted with such precision that you imagine they could tell you a story. They tend to draw an audience ranging from little kids that can hardly see the bottom row to the grown ups who never lost their sense of wonder when it comes to these sorts of things.
From this line you’ll find a host of interesting characters including Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, Rosie the Riveter, Oliver Cromwell, Joan of Arc, Alexander Hamilton, Lewis and Clark, Ben Franklin and even a U.S. Marine Corps dog handler. Also from that line are Lancaster’s own William Tecumseh Sherman and Chillicothe’s Shawnee leader Tecumseh which can be purchased only at this location.
They also sell King and Country miniatures as well as First Legion miniatures, companies that also each have a strong following for their own unique qualities. An extensive collection of books on American and Ohio history has made this store a destination for history readers.
They also have plenty of things perfect for teachers and classrooms and other assorted items like Chillicothe souvenirs, puzzles and paints for the hobbyist.
All of his effort modernizing the store that sells history seems to be working. For example, online ordering makes it easier than ever for collectors the world over to find the perfect pieces for their scenes. Drew says he ships to customers all over the country and the world. “We have the widest selection of military miniatures in the state but we commonly ship to customers all over the world like to South Korea, the Netherlands, England, all over the place really.”
They also have a faithful local customer base including some young boys who routinely save their money to add to their collections. “There’s one in particular who comes with this grandmother to buy one item a month. He’s building quite a collection with some rare things too,” Drew said.
Why is knowing history so important?
Drew said the answer is simple. “There is so much to be learned from studying history. It provides an incredible perspective on humanity and how we got to where we are today. Humans are far from perfect, yet possess incredible passion and fortitude. When you research past events and people you can gain much pride and humility from the sacrifices and accomplishments of those who came before us. It ultimately helps you to realize your own place in time, and can motivate and guide you to make a positive contribution to it.”
If you’re looking to improve your understanding of history or are just interested in learning more, The History Store is located at 99 North Paint Street, Chillicothe and can be found online at thehistorystoreohio.com.