CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio – Former employees of the Thomson/RCA plant in Circleville, which closed its doors two decades ago, are invited to a special picnic to commemorate the plant’s history and the community it once served.
Organized by Bobbie Poling, cohosted by Don Johnson, Becky Newton, and Linda Pyle the “20 Year Plant Closure Picnic” is scheduled for Saturday, September 14th, at the Amvets Post 2256 located at 818 Tarlton Rd, Circleville, Ohio. The event will begin at 11:30 am, with attendees encouraged to bring a covered dish and their own drinks. Table service will be provided, and lunch will commence around 12:30 pm at the shelter house.
The Thomson/RCA plant, which began production in the late 1970s, was a cornerstone of the Circleville community, manufacturing glass bulbs for color televisions. Situated at 24300 Route 23 South, the plant spanned 162 acres with railroad access behind it, facilitating its operations.
In 1987, Thomson Consumer Electronics assumed ownership from RCA’s parent company, General Electric Co., continuing the production of glass components for television picture tubes. However, changing market dynamics led to the plant’s closure announcement in 2004. The decision affected 545 employees in Circleville, reflecting broader shifts in consumer technology preferences away from CRT picture-tube television receivers.
“All former employees and their guests are welcome to attend this gathering to reminisce and celebrate the community spirit fostered by the Thomson/RCA plant,” expressed Bobbie Poling, organizer of the event.
For more information or to confirm attendance, interested individuals can contact Bobbie Poling directly at 740-974-4820.
The picnic promises to be a poignant occasion for former employees to reconnect, share memories, and honor the legacy of the Thomson/RCA plant in Circleville.
