Author Peter Bronson will headline the Indian Hill Historical Society's 5th Annual Authors Series on Oct. 22.

The free public lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Indian Hill High School Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center, 6865 Drake Rd. The event is free and open to the public, including students, teachers and local residents.

Bronson will discuss his book "Promised Land: How the Midwest Was Won," which traces the lives of settlers along the Ohio River and in the Northwest Territory. The book examines conflicts and key battles among pioneers, Native Americans and the British, including the role of General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, whose victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers opened western expansion of the United States.

Bronson, a former Cincinnati Enquirer editor who lives in Milford, served as the paper's editorial page editor and columnist for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership, the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four consecutive years. He has written nine books, including "The Man Who Saved Cincinnati" and "Not in Our Town." He also owns Chilidog Press, a publishing company.

In a September 2025 presentation at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bronson described why the Ohio territory captivated early settlers: "When the first settlers arrived in what they called in those days the Ohio territory, they found this to be the promised land. It was clean water, abundant game, fish, tons of huge timber to build homes and establish farms …"

The Authors Series, now in its fifth year, holds three events each year, according to the Historical Society. Featured authors meet with students at Cincinnati Country Day School and Indian Hill High School before concluding with an open public lecture. The series is supported by donations.

The Historical Society, founded in 1973, manages two Indian Hill landmarks: the Bonnell House and the Little Red Schoolhouse. Residents can contact the society at 513-891-1873 or [email protected] for more information.

Coming up:

• Oct. 16-17: Mariemont Paint Out, with $2,000 in prizes
• Oct. 22: Peter Bronson at the Indian Hill Historical Society Authors Series, 7 p.m., Indian Hill High School Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center