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City staff propose May 3 as annual Jonathan Hager Founder's Day after new genealogical research

Mayor and City Council of Hagerstown · April 21, 2026

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Summary

Parks & Recreation staff presented new genealogical research they say ties Jonathan Hager to a German birthplace and proposed establishing May 3 (baptismal/birth date, 1714) as an annual Founder's Day with living‑history events and an expanded visitor center exhibit; staff will circulate a proclamation and schedule tours and events for the spring season.

Eric Dike and Kaye Osmir updated the mayor and council on historical research and proposed programming tied to the Jonathan Hager House.

Osmir described recently obtained German archival records and translations that the Hager House staff say identify the founder’s baptismal record and probable birthplace in Wittgenstein (May 3, 1714). She said the staff have compiled those sources into a packet and plan to issue a formal press release and special programming around the identified date. “We believe his baptismal record lists Johan Velten Jonathan, born 05/03/1714,” Osmir said, summarizing the German archival finding.

Staff proposed designating May 3 as an annual Founder's Day and moving a living‑history event to that date, coordinating it with Hagerfest where possible. Osmir said the Hager House will offer guided tours and has a visitor‑center renovation underway with a pending ARC grant request for exhibit installation. Councilmembers congratulated staff on the research and asked about school tours; Osmir said Parks & Recreation currently does not charge for educational tours and can accommodate school groups on a drop‑in or preregistered basis depending on busing and schedule.

Staff will prepare a proclamation and coordinate logistics, artist approvals (for reinstalled public art discussed elsewhere in the meeting), site easements and outreach materials as the project moves forward.