NEWS & EVENTS

Join us on October 17, 2026, at NOON at the Garst Museum for Cait Clark’s Washington's Generals Lecture Series. The October event features a program on Brigadier General John Stark. Although not as famous as some of Washington’s officers, Stark coined the motto “Live free or die,” helped secure a victory at the Battle of Bennington, and fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, as well as at Trenton and Princeton, and in the French and Indian War. The Washington’s Generals Speaker

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the death of a Darke County legend. On November 3, 1926, Annie Oakley (aka Phoebe Ann Moses) succumbed to pernicious anemia at the home of Misses Broderick and Zemer on West Third Street in Greenville. To honor the woman who traveled the world exhibiting her sharpshooting skills, but always came back home to Darke County, Garst Museum will feature Annie Oakley at its October 17, 2026, Speaker Series event. Oakley was born in northern D

Explore the stories, discoveries, and community connections that bring Darke County’s history to life. The Garst Museum Membership Newsletter Archive offers a look at remarkable artifacts, new exhibits, local history, special events, and the people whose generosity preserves our shared heritage. Browse past issues to see what’s happening behind the scenes and how the museum continues to grow. The archive includes all newsletters except the current year's. The newsletter is

Earlier this year, the Ohio Museums Association (OMA) announced that Eileen Litchfield earned its Museum Advocate Award. Litchfield has long supported Garst Museum, having served on the Darke County Historical Society board for over 16 years and currently serving as president of the Annie Oakley Center Foundation. In nominating Litchfield for the award, Dr. Clay Johnson, president and CEO of Garst Museum, stated, “Eileen Litchfield’s advocacy has created a lasting legacy for

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

"Judas sold only one man," Benjamin Franklin wrote to the Marquis de Lafayette. "Arnold three millions." Before he became America's most infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold was one of Washington's most trusted generals. He was a fearless, aggressive commander whose leadership at Saratoga helped turn the tide of the war. Few officers gave more to the Revolution… and none fell further. Passed over for promotion, haunted by political enemies, and embittered by a country he believe

“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

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

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

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

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

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’

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

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

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/

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

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!

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

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