While doing housework is still not a whole lot of fun; it sure is a lot easier today than it was before local inventor James Kirby came along in the early 1900's, with innovations like the portable vacuum cleaner, and the spin cycle for washing machines.

Before Kirby, who lived on a big farm in Richfield which is now part of the Richfield Joint Recreation District;(RJRD); vacuum cleaners were huge contraptions carried around on horse-drawn carts, and wringing out laundry was done piece by piece, by hand.

But James Kirby was also just this really kind of quirky, fun, and creative guy, who built a dance hall on springs, played with marbles, and air conditioned his house by running spring water over the roof. 

That's why Jeanne Destro spent some time this week talking to Lynn Richardson, who is with the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, aboout the life and times of James Kirby, and their Kirby Day Celbration coming up on September 7, at Kirby's Mill, 3771 Oviatt Rd., Richfield, OH 44286,

Find out more, listen now.

To listen, click the play button superimposed on the logo below.