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Washington's Generals Lecture Series presents "I Will Storm Hell": The Man Behind Mad Anthony Wayne: Free Washington’s Generals Lecture Series on August 22, 2026
The nickname "Mad Anthony" conjures images of reckless bravado, the visual of someone who charges headlong into danger without thought or calculation. The truth of Anthony Wayne, however, is far more compelling. Wayne was a surveyor, a tanner's son. Eventually, he would become one of the most disciplined battlefield commanders in the Continental Army. Washington turned to him again and again, not in spite of his boldness, but because of the iron will beneath it. From the nigh
Aug 131 min read
Free Fourth Grade History Pass
America 250-Ohio, the official state commission spearheading Ohio’s celebrations of America’s semiquincentennial, recently announced the launch of the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, an expanded version of the commission’s popular 4th Grade History Pass program. Available exclusively throughout the month of July 2026, the 4th Grade History Pass Plus allows Ohio’s current fourth grade students and up to three accompanying family members to visit participating history museums and
Jul 273 min read
Jul 260 min read
“North Star” Shines a Light on the Real Annie Oakley
“Everyone knows Annie Oakley. Almost no one knows her real story.” That’s how the Greenpoint Film Festival introduced the film “North Star” on its Instagram page. Nearly 100 years after her death, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish myths from fact when it comes to Darke County’s most notable daughter. This new short documentary is setting the record straight about the Darke County legend, and it got a lot of help from three legendary Annie Oakley researchers from Garst
Jul 266 min read
Washington's Generals Lecture Series 2026: Monthly Dates
In honor of America’s 250th year of independence, the Garst Museum will be celebrating Greene and other generals from the American Revolution who played significant roles in Washington's Generals Lecture Series. Greene, Wayne, and many others will be presented in this year-long series, developed and delivered by Cait Clark, Garst Museum’s Administrative Director. Over the course of the series, Clark will be talking about well-known generals such as Henry Knox and Benedict Arn
Jul 251 min read
The Darke County Historical Society Announces the Dr. Harry G. Thomas Medical Scholarship for 2026-2027
The Darke County Historical Society is pleased to announce that funds will be available from the Dr. Harry G. Thomas Medical Scholarship Program for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Dr. Harry G. Thomas Medical Scholarship Program, administered by the Darke County Historical Society, was established and funded in 1971 by Lowell Thomas and his sister, Pherbia Thomas Thornburg, in memory of their father, Dr. Harry G. Thomas. The program was later supplemented by a bequest from
Jul 251 min read
Gathering at Garst: July 25 & 26, 2026
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT: Darke County Park's Gathering at Garst Website: darkecountyparks.org/gathering Darke County Park's Vendor Applications: darkecountyparks.org/gatheringvendors Darke County Park's Gathering Contact Information: Phone: 937-548-0165 Email: info@darkecountyparks.org Special Garst Museum Hours for the Gathering Friday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Research Center Hours Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sund
Jul 221 min read
A Citizen of America: Washington’s Drillmaster, Baron von Steuben: Free Washington’s Generals Lecture Series on July 11, 2026
Join us for the next installment of our Washington’s Generals Lecture Series as we explore the life of Baron von Steuben, Washington’s Drillmaster. While at Valley Forge, it was von Steuben's job to turn the Continental Army into a serious fighting force. Find out how he did it! The program will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room at the Garst Museum. It will be presented by Administrative Director Cait Clark. The Washington’
Jul 71 min read
"Esteem, Admiration, and Love" The Marquis de Lafayette: Free Washington’s Generals Lecture Series on June 20, 2026
On June 20, 2026, Cait Clark will talk about the exploits of the Marquis de Lafayette, a young man who joined Washington’s staff as a major general at age 19. Lafayette would become something akin to an adopted son to Washington, supporting the commander through the trials of Valley Forge and Arnold’s betrayal in 1780. After the American Revolution, Lafayette would return home to France, where he would face off against Napoleon Bonaparte, a man trying to turn France’s own rev
Jun 201 min read
Remembering Freedom: James Clemens and the Longtown Settlement
Longtown was a predominantly African American settlement in Darke County that included people of African, European, and American Indian ancestry. The population had many freed or runaway slaves. With the establishment of a vocational school known as the Union Literary Institute, Longtown created an opportunity for African Americans to become land-owning farmers, craftsmen, skilled workers, and professionals during a period when slavery and racism were prevalent. The Garst Mus
Jun 191 min read
Garst Museum Exhibit at the Piqua I-75 Southbound Rest Area is Now Open!
Thank you to the State of Ohio for this opportunity! Related story: https://www.dailyadvocate.com/2026/02/17/i-75-rest-area-puts-spotlight-on-garst-museum/
Jun 11 min read
The Darke County Historical Society has named Don Mong and Dr. Steve Gruber as the 2026 Heritage Award Winners
Mong was honored for his work on the books, “Greenville: My Home Town in the Great Darke County,” volumes one and two. The books featured beautifully painted watercolor Illustrations of landmarks from around the community. All proceeds were donated to the Garst Museum. The captions for each of the pieces of artwork were written by Dr. Steve Gruber. Gruber currently serves as chair of the Darke County Historical Society. Eileen Litchfield, chair of the selection committee for
May 263 min read
Garst Museum Online Store is Now Open
Starting 05-23-2026, all online Museum Store orders will be shipped on Fridays. If you would like to place a phone order, please contact 937-548-5250 anytime Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. The Museum Store at Garst Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM....make sure to stop in while you visit the museum!
May 221 min read
WDTN: Celebrate 250: The Legacy of Annie Oakley
Thank you to Caleb Michael of Dayton Channel 2/WDTN for a wonderful story about Annie Oakley and the National Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum. To view the video and read the article, please visit WDTN here: https://www.wdtn.com/celebrate-250/celebrate-250-the-legacy-of-annie-oakley/#/questions/5882795
May 131 min read
Greenville: My Home Town in the Great Darke County 2nd Edition On Sale Now!
Don Mong recently collaborated with Dr. Stephen Gruber on a special project that will benefit the Garst Museum. After his first book of illustrations of Greenville, titled Greenville: My Hometown, was a huge success, Mong has released a second edition – this time with over 50 more illustrations. This newest book will feature everything from the first installment, as well as the new illustrations. Mong grew up in Greenville and although he has traveled the world and currently
May 113 min read
Israel Putnam: Legend or Hero? Free Washington’s Generals Lecture Series on May 9, 2026
Israel Putnam was one of only two generals unanimously chosen by Congress. The other was George Washington himself. But by the end of the war, Washington had quietly stopped giving him commands. So, was Israel Putnam a hero… or just a legend? Join us for our next Washington's Generals lecture to find out. The program will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room at the Garst Museum. It will be presented by Administrative Director Cait Clark.
May 61 min read
Apr 20 min read
Horatio Gates: Washington's Revil: Free Washington’s Generals Lecture Series on April 11, 2026
Horatio Gates arrived in the Continental Army with a distinguished military record and sky-high ambitions to match. He would go on to oversee one of America's greatest victories, as well as one of its most humiliating defeats. Along the way, he may have even set his sights on Washington's job itself. But was Gates truly a villain, or simply a flawed man caught between his ambitions and his moment in history? The program will be held on Saturday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m. in the
Mar 261 min read
America 250-Garst is Celebrating Ohio’s Entertainers Throughout the Month of March
America 250 - Ohio is celebrating its entertainers throughout March, and the Garst Museum has exhibits featuring entertainers from Darke County. Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas are two of the most widely known entertainers who called Darke County home. Oakley toured the world and met heads of state, royalty, and other dignitaries. Her skill at handling a gun was honed in the fields of northern Darke County. Thomas once called Woodington, a small village north of Greenville, ho
Mar 212 min read
Voices, Paths, and Power: Five Influential Native American Women: Free Lecture on March 21, 2026
On March 21 at 2 p.m., Cait Clark of the Garst Museum will host a PowerPoint presentation titled "Voices, Paths, and Power: Five Influential Native American Women" in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room. The program explores the lives of Matoaka (Pocahontas), Sacagawea, Buffalo Calf Road Woman, Zitkála-Šá, and Maria Tallchief - five women whose influence shaped American history in strikingly different ways. Spanning more than three centuries, the presentation examines diplomacy, e
Mar 171 min read
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