NEWS & EVENTS

In honor of America’s 250 th  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

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

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

The Garst Museum is pleased to announce Washington’s Generals , a year-long lecture series celebrating 250 years of American independence by exploring the key leaders who helped George Washington win the Revolutionary War. March's program focuses on " Daniel Morgan...The Rebel with a Cause." The program will be held on Saturday, March 14, 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 Washin

Can this really be happening? Yes, and successfully! Jim Buchy “Rep Buchy,” a rural white Republican, and Dale Mallory “Rep Dale,” an urban black Democrat, collaborated to bring this to fruition for the inner cities of Cincinnati and Cleveland.   Dale Mallory’s father, William L. Mallory Sr. majority leader in the Ohio House, had a vision to increase 4-H participation in black cities in the state; Dale pursued this to honor his father. Dale, a graduate of Taft High School Nat

The Darke County Historical Society is pleased to announce the winners of the Harry Thomas Scholarship for 2025. This year’s recipients are Bailey Stammen and Lauren Menke. Stammen is in her fourth year of receiving the scholarship. She is a graduate of Ansonia High School and is in her fourth year at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. Menke, a Versailles High School graduate, attended Case Western Reserve University for her undergraduate work, and was ac

May 7, 2024, is a date that will live in the memory of many in Greenville. On that date, shortly after 8 p.m., the skies blackened, and the tornado sirens began to wail. As Greenville residents began to emerge from their homes, the realization set in.   The EF-1 tornado toppled trees along an 11.9-mile path that began to the west of the city and continued through the city limits. Three areas suffered major damage to trees, including the Greenville Union Cemetery and the Green

The Garst Museum is pleased to announce Washington’s Generals , a year-long lecture series celebrating 250 years of American independence by exploring the key leaders who helped George Washington win the Revolutionary War. The series opens with “Nathanael Greene: Washington’s Favorite General” on Saturday, February 14, at 2:00 P.M. in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room at the Garst Museum. The program will be presented by Administrative Director Cait Clark, who will also deliver

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

The Garst Museum reopens for regular business hours on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays, Mondays, and most major holidays.

Penny Perry, the Executive Director of the Garst Museum from 2004 to 2010, passed away on December 23, 2025. Penny was a devoted educator, community leader, and champion of Darke County history. During her 32-year teaching career, she inspired students through innovative programs, advanced study, and leadership initiatives, while also actively engaging in civic life. She later served as Executive Director of the Garst Museum, where she expanded educational outreach, increased

Dear Museum Supporter: The Garst Museum owes our success to people like you that have supported our efforts to Educate, Preserve, and Share the history of our region. Whether you have donated your time or supported us through your Garst Museum Membership and general goodwill, we want to thank you! We hope you will continue to support our efforts at the Garst Museum.   Unlike our Membership Program, which is designated solely for operational costs, the Garst Museum Annual Fund

During the Christmas holidays, the price of the book Greenville My Hometown: In the Great Darke County will be reduced to $30.00.   From November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, this book will be available for $30.00 at the Garst Museum store and on Amazon.   These books will be a great Christmas gift and will be appreciated for many years.    Please remember that all proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward supporting the Garst Museum. Merry Christmas! The Museum Sto

Garst Museum will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a perfect time to visit the museum and see the incredible holiday decorations. As a gift from the museum, admission is free on this day only. A visit to the Garst Museum gives you a wonderful opportunity to discover the history of Darke County. What would it have been like to walk through the center of Greenville or one of the surrounding towns in the early 1900s? You

November marks the end of the Vietnam Commemorative Commission’s recognition of the 50 th  anniversary of the Vietnam War. Fort Greene Ville Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been a proud Vietnam Commemorative partner, actively recognizing Vietnam-era events and service men and women. Garst Museum is planning its second Speaker Series event of the season on November 8, at 2 p.m. in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room as a salute to veterans. This program, produced wit

Annie’s GALA, inside the Garst Museum and the National Annie Oakley Center, Greenville, starts on Wednesday, October 22, and ends on Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m. Up for grabs in their traditional Silent Auction are over 200 unique items. Check out all items at GarstGala.com . There’s lots of time for you to come to Garst and mark your bids, or you can call 937-548-5250 to get a bid number and bid by phone. View items (online at  GarstGala.com or in person) ranging from ar