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Mission Statement
At The R.B. Powers Company, we are dedicated to the tradition of American, small-town manufacturing—crafting every ribbon, rosette, and award with care, quality, and pride. We celebrate not just the moment of winning, but the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that every competitor invests to achieve it. Our mission is to make every award meaningful, honoring the achievements of participants, organizers, and communities alike. We are committed to delivering products that enhance the joy, pride, and memory of every accomplishment.
History of the R.B. Powers Company
The R.B. Powers Company began in 1907 when Rollin B. Powers established his small cobbler shop in downtown Ashley, Ohio. In 1923, Powers was approached by local educator, R.B. Warner, and commissioned to produce ribbons and rosettes for the Ashley Junior Fair, the first of its kind in the United States. Beginning a new journey that would last more than a century, the company began manufacturing award ribbons, rosettes, and other fair supplies, building a reputation as a trusted supplier to county and state fairs across the Midwest.
In 1930, the company moved its operations just a block away from downtown on West High Street, taking over the former Ashley School No. 1. This local landmark, built in 1877, was converted into factory and office space, adding to the structure and providing modern amenities like indoor plumbing and a loading dock. For generations, the sight of ribbons streaming out of the old school has become part of the village’s identity, with the Powers Company ranking among Ashley’s largest and best-known employers.
The factory produces hundreds of miles of ribbon each year, supplying customized printing and hand-assembled rosettes for fairs, livestock shows, and civic events. Newspaper features have frequently described the sheer volume of work, underscoring how essential R.B. Powers has been to the agricultural fair tradition in Ohio and beyond.
From Small-Town Hands to Lasting Memories: True to its roots, R.B. Powers continues to assemble every ribbon, rosette, and trophy by hand in its Ashley factory. Skilled artisans carefully print, fold, and fasten each piece with attention to detail, ensuring that every award carries not just recognition but also the touch of the people who made it. This dedication to handmade quality has kept the company’s products personal, meaningful, and enduring for more than a century.
When the company’s namesake passed away in 1944, Anthony “Tony” Powers succeeded him and acquired the schoolhouse on West High Street. Shortly after inheriting the business and building, Tony oversaw a second addition to the factory. In 1960, the R.B. Powers Company acquired the trophy business from Earle “Circus” Sortman, a prominent figure in Columbus and a longtime jeweler with the Argo & Lehne Company. With this acquisition, R.B. Powers became the maker of awards for the prestigious Little Brown Jug harness race, the premier pacing event in the world.
In the early 1970’s, Tony faced health issues and his son, Edward Powers, took the helm and carried the business forward for the next 50 years, overseeing another addition to the building in the early 1990’s. Ed’s training in computer programming enabled him to build the first electronic ordering, work tracking, accounting, and payroll systems employed by the company. The family continuity allowed the company to weather industry shifts that closed many small ribbon makers.
In the 21st century, R.B. Powers continues to operate out of West High Street in Ashley, still producing ribbons for fairs and events. Locally, it has become woven into Delaware County’s heritage, not only as a business but as a symbol of the fair culture it has helped sustain.
R.B. Warner
Connection to A. B. Graham, R. B. Warner, and the First Junior Fair
The story of R.B. Powers is tied to a larger movement in Ohio history through A.B. Graham (Albert Belmont Graham), the Ohio educator credited as the founder of 4-H. Graham’s vision of youth agricultural clubs in the early 1900s set the stage for formal junior fairs, where young people could exhibit their projects and receive recognition.
In 1923, the R.B. Powers Company began producing ribbons for what was then called the Ashley Junior Fair — widely regarded as the first of its kind in the United States, giving youth a dedicated platform within the agricultural fair tradition. When the Ohio State Fair adopted a junior fair in 1929, the Ashley Junior Fair was used as the model for the statewide event.
A key local educator, R.B. Warner (Roger Barton Warner), played an important role in establishing that fair in Ashley. Warner, who would later become Superintendent of the Ashley School, worked to create opportunities for youth to participate in agricultural exhibitions, putting Graham’s educational ideals into practice at the community level. With Graham’s statewide vision, Warner’s local leadership, and Powers’ handmade ribbons, the Ashley Junior Fair became a pioneering model that helped shape the junior fair movement across Ohio and the nation.
Thus, Powers’ products gave tangible form to Graham’s and Warner’s ideas: the colored ribbons handed out at Ashley symbolized both recognition and achievement, linking education with community celebration.
Lasting Legacy
The R.B. Powers Company’s history is inseparable from the growth of Ohio’s fairs and youth programs. Its ribbons became symbols of accomplishment at events shaped by Graham’s educational philosophy and Warner’s community leadership, embedding the company in both local industry and national 4-H heritage. Even today, vintage ribbons bearing the “R.B. Powers” imprint serve as artifacts of a unique intersection: a small-town manufacturer, a statewide youth movement, and the proud tradition of agricultural fairs. The company’s ongoing commitment to handmade craftsmanship ensures that each award continues to carry forward that legacy — from small-town hands to lasting memories.
