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WHO WE ARE
The Beavercreek Historical Society is a volunteer organization whose common interest is working together to preserve Beavercreek's heritage. Our purpose is: 1)Preserve structures of historical significance 2) Develop an oral history of Beavercreek, and 3) Found a learning center for historic education.
MEMBERSHIP. Family memberships are only $20 per year; individual memberships are $15 per year. All memberships are open to the public and support Wartinger Park and Beavercreek Historical Society activities. Registration forms are also available at the Beavercreek Library in our newsletter, "Log by Log". The Beavercreek Historical Society is a member of the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums.
"LOG BY LOG" Sample Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat PDF Format) "Log by Log" includes news articles as well as historical and educational articles. "Log by Log" is mailed free of charge to all members.
WHAT WE DO
WARTINGER HISTORICAL PARK Pioneer Village. Wartinger Historical Park, which is owned by the City of Beavercreek, is located 1/4 mile east of North Fairfield Rd. at 3080 Kemp Rd. It is managed by the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department. Wartinger Park consists of the 1803 Harshman House, 1805 Jarusiewic Cabin (replica), 1811 Nicodemus House, 1828 Ankeney House, 1860 Tobias-Zimmer Barn , a kitchen garden, and an herb garden maintained by the Flower Trail Garden Club. Historical gardens around the Harshman and Ankeney houses are planted and maintained by the Master Gardeners of Greene County, and the herb gardens near the Nicodemus and Jaursiewic Houses are planted and maintained by the Flower Trail Garden Club. Development, relocation, and preservation of these historical structures at Wartinger Park are one of the main emphases of the Beavercreek Historical Society. The park is used by local schools, scouts, and other community groups to teach about pioneer life and local history.
LIVING HISTORY WEEKS Public School Program. In the spring and fall each year, third and fourth grade students from all five Beavercreek elementary schools, two parochial schools, and many homeschoolers visit Wartinger Park to learn about early pioneer life. They do hands-on activities such as make a rag doll, make butter, plant or harvest a garden, quilt, spin, weave, and do laundry. New volunteers are needed every season. Training is provided to anyone who likes to work with children.
PROGRAMS Historical and Educational Topics.
Four programs are held each year in January, April, July, and October in the evening. These programs are free and open to the public. Meeting times and locations are published in area newspapers, Cable Channel 10, and the Historical Society monthly newsletter, "Log by Log". Recent programs have included a talk and/or slide show on the Little Miami River, Ohio Canals, Railroads in Greene County, and The Wright Brothers.
FIRST COURTHOUSE IN GREENE COUNTY An Ohio
Historical Marker commemorating the First Courthouse in Greene County was dedicated at Alpha in Beavercreek on May 4, 2005. The first courthouse was a log cabin, used as a courthouse in 1803 and 1804, that was located just south of Alpha in the area of the John Harbine home located along Route 35. The text shown on both sides of the marker has a small image of that first log cabin, pictured on Page 13 of the Beavercreek Chronicles. The marker is now located at 751 Alpha Road in front of the old historic Alpha Mill near the bike path. Administered by the Ohio Historical Society, the Historical Markers program enables Ohioans to commemorate and celebrate local history and to learn more about the State. Designed to be permanent and highly visible, the historic markers are large cast-aluminum signs that tell stories about aspects of Ohio's history. This is the first such marker to be erected in the Beavercreek area, an effort undertaken by the Beavercreek Historical Society.
OUR SPECIAL EVENTS
HERITAGE DAYS/HERB DAYS
Heritage Days (sponsored by the Beavercreek Historical Society) and Herb Days (sponsored by the Flower Trail Garden Club) is held the weekend after the Popcorn Festival or the third week-end in September, Sat. 10-4 and Sunday 11-4, at Wartinger Historical Park on Kemp Road. This two day event features folk artisans who demonstrate and sell their handmade items, old fashioned children's activities, tours of the pioneer village, pioneer "vittles", herb garden tours, and handmade herb creations.
OUR CURRENT FUNDRAISING PROJECTS
THE BEAVERCREEK CHRONICLES ($30 each)
1) For sale at the Beavercreek Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Rd.
2) City of Beavercreek Parks, Rec. and Culture, 1368 Research Park Dr.
The BEAVERCREEK CHRONICLES was published in September 1999 after a two-year effort. It is a 250-page hardback book about Beavercreek history featuring a green cover with gold embossing. The 1976 Bi-Centennial edition, BEAVERCREEK'S CHRONICLE, which features original documents, photographs, and diaries from local families are included as the first section. Genealogists will find the new surname index for both editions extremely helpful. An historical timeline of events is also a new feature in the Beavercreek Chronicles.
Summary of the Contents: "Environmental History" tells of the establishment of the Wetlands, and "Beavercreek Lands" shows maps of all the cemeteries, which have now been located. "Early Beavercreek Families" includes articles about more than twenty early Beavercreek families. "Grand Old Mansions" features information about the large, early brick homes so familiar to us all here. The "Houses of God" includes information about the history of the first churches in Beavercreek, many of which are still here. Transcripts of "Oral History Tapes" featuring noted citizens supply first hand information about our past. "Old Log Cabins" of Beavercreek have been identified and a special feature is a map of their existing locations as well as information about the families who lived in them. Articles about "Early Living Memories" include Business in Beavercreek Township, Butchering Day, Old Stagecoach Inn, Railroads in Beavercreek, Early Medicine, and the unforgettable characters and noted citizens of Beavercreek. Over 100 additional photographs have been published. To have a book shipped to you outside of Beavercreek, please mail this form.
THE BEAVERCREEK HISTORICAL COVERLET ($50 each or 2 for $80)
For sale at the Beavercreek Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Rd.
The coverlets available in Navy or Hunter Green feature noted landmarks of historical buildings of Beavercreek. The coverlet shows the Tobias-Zimmer Barn, Nicodemus House, Ankeney House, and Philip Harshman House at Wartinger Park as well as the first Beavercreek High School, Indian Riffle Road Bridge, Alpha Post Office, Beaver Reformed Church, and Daytona Mills. Local artists did all the drawings of these landmarks. To have a coverlet shipped to you outside of Beavercreek, please mail this form.
POSTCARDS AND NOTECARDS OF BEAVERCREEK LANDMARKS
For Sale at the Beavercreek Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road
A set of six postcards are available for $3.50. Alpha Post Office, Bank Barn, John Harbine Homestead, Philip Harshman Log House, Jarusiewic Log House, and Nicodemus Log Home
A set of eight notecards are available for $6.00. Alpha Post Office, Philip Harshman Log House, Nicodemus Log House, Samuel Ankeney House, Beavercreek High School, The Beaver Mills (Daytona Mills), Beaver Reformed Church, Tobias-Zimmer Barn
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