Andy Miller
For one longtime resident, the path to Hilliard began not with a job or family connection, but with childhood summer camps and a strong sense of belonging. Originally from Englewood, a small town north of Dayton, he first moved to Columbus for law school and planned to remain in Central Ohio for at least the beginning of his legal career. When it came time to settle down and buy a home, there was no question—Hilliard was the place.
That decision was rooted in years of friendship. During his youth, he had formed lasting bonds with kids from Hilliard at summer camps, and those early connections made an impression. “Because of those friends and experiences, I don’t think I considered anywhere else,” he recalls. “I just knew Hilliard would be my home.”
He purchased his first house in Hilliard in 2005. Although he and his wife briefly left the state between 2007 and 2009 while he taught law in New Orleans and Houston, the couple returned to Hilliard to start their family—and they’ve been here ever since.
What first drew him to Hilliard remains a big part of what he appreciates about it today: its diversity. From a geographic standpoint, Hilliard offers a unique mix of urban, suburban, and rural elements. There’s a balance of rivers, woods, fields, and streams that provide both beauty and recreational opportunity. Over time, he also came to value the city’s cultural diversity and the wide range of community offerings, including the Hilliard Arts Council, the Heritage Rail Trail, and the Historical Village. Having observed the city’s evolution since the 1990s, he’s continually impressed by how Hilliard has managed its steady growth.
Still, he sees room for improvement. He’d like to see more support for affordable housing initiatives and a few smarter traffic solutions around town. But most of all, he hopes for a surge in interest and involvement in the Hilliard Ohio Historical Society (HOHS), where he and his wife have been active members since 2021.
Their introduction to HOHS came during the city’s Fourth-of-July Parade, where they met a few enthusiastic members. Already on the lookout for meaningful ways to connect with the community, they found the Historical Society to be an ideal fit. It helped that he already had fond memories of the Historical Village from his own youth. He suspects he visited at least twice as a child—and now he’s a part of preserving and sharing that history with others.
What keeps him engaged in the Historical Society is its mission. He believes most people understand the value of preserving national or world history, but they sometimes forget the importance of protecting local heritage. That’s what makes the HOHS so special: its collection of original buildings and tangible artifacts brings the past to life right here in Hilliard.
He enjoys manning the barn during tours and talking tools with visitors, but the seasonal events are his favorite part. The Haunted Village tops the list, followed by the Tree Lighting and Santa’s visit. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts have kept him from attending Heritage Days for the past four years—a fact he finds endlessly frustrating.
If there’s one thing he’d love to change about HOHS, it’s the location’s visibility. Tucked behind the safety services building and next to the county fairgrounds, the Historical Village is easy to miss. “I often hear patrons say, ‘We’ve lived here for years but didn’t know this was back here.’ Making the site more visible and known is something he’s passionate about improving.
Beyond his work with the Historical Society, he’s also active in several other organizations, including Progress Hilliard, Hilliard Pride, and the Franklin County Democratic Party. And with two children currently enrolled in the Hilliard City School System, his roots in the community are only growing deeper.
For him, Hilliard isn’t just where he lives—it’s where he belongs. From summer camp memories to barn tours and beyond, his story is one of connection, growth, and a deep commitment to preserving the past while helping shape the future.
