The Winter 2024 edition of the Beavercreek Historical Society Newsletter, the Log by Log, is now available

Click here to view the latest Log by Log Newsletter

A great way to explore local history is to go through past issues of the Log by Log which is available here: Log by Log Archives

Historical Society Quarterly Meeting and Program

Tuesday, January 23, 7:00 p.m.
Peace Lutheran Church, Fellowship Room
3530 Dayton-Xenia Rd.

Presentation: Beavercreek’s Secrets and Surprises in County Archives

The Greene County Records Center and Archives holds the records of long-term and historic value for Greene County offices—but what does that mean in practice for the community? Join the Beavercreek Historical Society and Greene County Archives public outreach coordinator Mary McKinley to hear about the mission and operations of the Archives, their plans for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and the secrets and surprises their archives records hold for the Beavercreek community.


Mary McKinley is the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Greene County Records and Archives and is responsible for the Archive’s Volunteer and Educational Outreach programs.
Mary attained a Bachelor’s degree in History and Classical Languages from the College of Wooster, and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Maryland at College Park. In addition to her academic credentials, she has worked in libraries and archives of many sizes and kinds throughout the years—including working in local history and genealogy at two Carnegie libraries!

This program is free and open to the public.


The Fall 2023 edition of the Beavercreek Historical Society Newsletter, the Log by Log, is now available

Click here to view the latest Log by Log Newsletter

A great way to explore local history is to go through past issues of the Log by Log which is available here: Log by Log Archives


Beavercreek Historical Society Annual Meeting and Program, Tuesday October 24, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm at Wartinger Park, 3080 Kemp Rd. Beavercreek, Ohio

Program for this meeting:

Experience Early 1800s Life in Ohio

The Beavercreek Historical Society is pleased to present a mini version of its popular Living History Program depicting early 1800s life in Ohio.

The presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 24, 6:00-8:00 pm at Wartinger Park, 3080 Kemp Rd. The evening will start with a brief officer’s election for members at 6:00 pm in the historic 1858 Tobias-Zimmer Barn, immediately followed by the Living History Program presentation.

The four authentic log cabins in the park will be open to feature live demonstrations. Volunteers in period costume will engage visitors in early American daily activities such as butter churning, spinning sheep wool, making rag dolls, finger knitting, quilting, barn/gardening chores, and school lessons. Attendees can make the rounds to see the mini demonstrations that interest them most—or see them all!

The Beavercreek Historical Society created the Living History Program in the early 1990s as a way to share Beavercreek’s rich history with each new generation.

Since that time, it has served well over 15,000 Beavercreek third-grade students through a day-long interactive program, which also fulfills a state curriculum requirement for students to learn about Ohio’s history.

Join us for an enjoyable evening in the park! There is no charge for this event. Parking is available at the park at 3080 Kemp Rd. and at the Beavercreek Board of Education at 3040 Kemp Rd.


Donor Pledges $40,000 Match for Tobias-Zimmer Barn Project

The Beavercreek Historical Society recently hosted a celebration on Sunday July 23 at Wartinger Historical Park to rededicate the Tobias-Zimmer Barn to the Beavercreek community. The original 1858 barn was destroyed in the 2019 tornadoes and a historically accurate rebuild was completed in 2022.

Festivities included free ice cream and historical cabin tours, and an interesting presentation highlighting Beavercreek’s colorful history.

The event kicked off a fundraising campaign to add restrooms and a warming kitchen to the barn with the announcement of a $40,000 matching gift commitment from barn donor Bob Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer will match donations dollar-for dollar up to $40,000. For example, a $100 gift will be matched with a $100 gift, doubling the value of the original gift.

The addition of restrooms and a warming kitchen will increase the usability of the barn, making it a more attractive rental venue, with proceeds directly supporting the maintenance and operations of Wartinger Park. The restrooms will also be accessible to park visitors during park hours. The park currently does not have restrooms. The project will begin in August with the installation of the water/sewer line.

Donated to the park in 1996 by long-time Beavercreek residents Bob and Agnes Zimmer, the barn joined four early Beavercreek family historic cabins representing first settlers in the area: Philip Harshman, Samuel Ankeney, John Nicodemus, and George Jarusiewic. The Tobias-Zimmer Barn was added in 1996 to complete the representation of early life in Beavercreek.

The barn and cabins are open for touring during special park events, including the City’s annual Winter Welcome set for December 15.

The Tobias-Zimmer Barn serves as a site for community and private gatherings, as well as an educational interpretive center for the Society’s annual Living History Program which fulfills a state curriculum requirement by teaching local third-graders about Ohio life in the early1800s. Launched in 1993, the program has served over 15,500 Beavercreek school children.

Contributions to the Tobias-Zimmer Barn Fund can be made by check to Beavercreek Historical Society, 1368 Research Park Dr., Beavercreek, OH 45432, or by donating online at greenegiving.org. Please specify “Beavercreek Historical Society Tobias-Zimmer Barn.”

The Society is always looking for descendants of early Beavercreek settlers.  Contact [email protected] for additional information.

Visit beavercreekohio.gov for barn rental information.


Volunteers Still Needed as of September 2023!

We’re looking for volunteers to fill open positions within the Historical Society. If you are looking for something fun to do that will immerse you in the wonderful history of Beavercreek that will connect you to a group of engaged citizens, we would love to discuss the following roles with you!

  • Program Director and Special Events Coordinator – Vacant
  • Historical Buildings Director – Vacant
  • Publicity – Vacant

We appreciate member volunteers and rely on you to keep our Society active. If you are interested in any of these positions and/or volunteering in any capacity, please email [email protected] leave a message at 937-244-5958.


Read our most recent (Summer 2023)  Historical Society Newsletter  Log by Log” or browse the entire archive of our newsletters!


Donation information

Donations to the Beavercreek Historical Society can be made via Greene Giving at https://greenegiving.ejoinme.org/donation


RECENT EVENTS:


Tobias-Zimmer Barn Complete History

YOU ARE INVITED!

 Beavercreek Historical Society Quarterly Meeting and Program April 25th at 7:00pm

Peace Lutheran Church Peace Lutheran Church 3530 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek

Come take a Walk Down Beavercreek’s Memory Lane 

Join us for stories of the people, places, and things that built the Beavercreek Community—from Civil War panic to Prohibitionary tales to The Liar’s Table!

This unique program will be presented by our new History Center Director Brett Williford. A near lifelong resident of the Miami Valley, Brett moved to Beavercreek in the late 1990s and it quickly became “home.” As a local Realtor® he grew to know and love our community, its people, and its history. During the market recession years of 2008-2014, he built an interactive tour of Beavercreek in his “ample spare time,” The Beavercreek Heritage Trail. Brett now proudly serves as director of the History Center for the Beavercreek Historical Society.

A reading of The Beavercreek Chronicles with his son led him on a path of discovery to dive deeper into the structures, remnants, and families that made our community what it is today! His passion for the area is fueled by the stories and legends that echo within our borders—from fertile Native American hunting grounds to a hub of the early industry to the modern STEM municipality we enjoy today—Beavercreek offers something for everyone!

This program is free and open to the public. Bring a friend and join us for a fun evening of tall tales and short stories!

The Beaver Grill’s Liars Table

BHS Receives $5,000 grant award from Ohio Humanities Council

 

The national Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27 was established to provide assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to help combat the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19. Funds appropriated included $75 million in emergency funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, of which 40 percent was distributed to the 56 state and territorial humanities councils to support local economic relief efforts.

BHS was a recipient of this funding in the amount of $5,000 through the Ohio Humanities Council grant application program, and was one of 91 organizations in Ohio to receive an award. Funding will be used to help with History Center expenses, upkeep of the historical structures at Wartinger Historical Park, and the creation of a video version of the Living History Program.

About Ohio Humanities

Established in 1972, Ohio Humanities is a private nonprofit organization and the state-based partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Ohio Humanities promotes the humanities in Ohio through collaborations with cultural and educational institutions.

BHS Receives $500 from the Ohio History Fund

BHS is the recipient of a $500 gift grant from the Ohio History Fund COVID-19 Emergency Grant from the Ohio History Connection. This temporary grant program helps history organizations address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (www.ohiohistory.org/covidgrant).

The BHS request was one of 38 organizations funded out of 127 applications, and received the maximum award amount of $500 allowed for an organization of our size. These funds will be used together with the Ohio Humanities grant to create a video version of the Living History program.

The Ohio History Fund grants were made possible thanks to the support of the Ohio History Connection Foundation, the Conestoga volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing community support for the OHC, and private donors.

About Ohio History Connection

The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, is a statewide organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories. Chartered in 1885, the Ohio History Connection carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the state historic preservation office, the official state archives, local history office, and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio.

Annual Memberships run from January 1 – December 31 of each year. Now is the time to renew your membership. A New/Renewal Form can be downloaded at the Membership location under Tab “About”. Please forward the form with your check.

                                                               


DONATIONS

We are always appreciative of donations to our organization!  Information on how to donate is on our How to Donate page.

Thank you for your generosity and support for our programs and our mission!