History Buff

Voice of America Museum

Tour the Voice of America Museum housed inside the famous Bethany Station ground radio station. Built in 1944, the architecturally stunning Bethany Station was the first radio station to broadcast overseas shortly after Pearl Harbor. The museum is now a fascinating tribute to the pioneering radio broadcast site. Explore exhibits on global communications, technological innovation, and the pivotal role the facility played during World War II and the Cold War.

Butler County Warbirds

A must-see for aviation and military enthusiasts, the Butler County Warbirds Museum preserves and showcases historic military aircraft. Step inside hangars filled with restored planes, learn about their history, and experience first-hand the excitement of flight and wartime innovation.

Butler County Historical Society

Discover where local history is preserved through engaging exhibits, archives, and programs. Learn about the people, industries, and events that shaped the county and explore artifacts spanning centuries of life in Butler County.

Governor Bebb MetroPark

Walk in the footsteps of early settlers at Governor Bebb MetroPark. This park features wooded trails, picnic areas, and historic structures, including a covered bridge and preserved pioneer-era buildings. It’s a perfect blend of outdoor recreation and living history.

Langstroth Cottage

Discover the story of Lorenzo Langstroth, known as the "father of the American Beekeeping", at his historic home in Oxford. The Langstroth Cottage is national landmark, highlighting the work of this local innovator, whose contributions, inventions, and research revolutionized beekeeping worldwide.

Soldiers, Sailors & Pioneers Monument 

This Butler County monument stands proudly at the 1790s site of Fort Hamilton, right along the banks of the Great Miami River. It honors those who have fought and served for our country as well as those who first settled in Butler County. Notable features of the monument are gorgeous stained glass windows and two large displays that honor the service of the men and women during the Civil War.

Sorg Opera House

History isn’t just preserved in buildings, it’s performed on stage! The Sorg Theatre is a beautifully restored historic venue hosting live performances that celebrate community and artistic tradition. Its architecture and legacy make it a true historical landmark in Middletown.

Muhlhauser Barn

One of the region’s earliest and largest breweries was the Muhlhauser-Windisch Brewing Company, whose legacy can still be felt and seen today at the Muhlhauser Barn in West Chester. The reconstructed 1881 barn stands as a reminder of Butler County's long history of agricultural dominance in Ohio, providing the massive quantities of barley and hops to Cincinnati's brewery industry pre-prohibition. 

Chrisholm Farmstead

Explore the 17-acre historic property of Samuel Augspurger, a leading member of the Amish-Mennonite settlement that existed in this river valley area in the 19th century, at the Chrisholm Historic Farmstead in Trenton. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1874 farmhouse is now available for tours and educational programs. 

Canal Museum

Learn about the history of Miami-Erie Canal, operated from 1825 through 1929, at the Canal Museum. The museum presents displays that feature the history of the Miami-Erie Canal and the early industry of Middletown. The Canal Museum is a replica of a lock tenders house and showcases artifacts, photographs, and videos of the era. Tours are by appointment only.  

McGuffey Museum

When in Oxford, visit the historic and educationally significant McGuffey Museum. Built in 1833 the museum was once home to William Holmes McGuffey. McGuffey was a professor at Miami University and is known for his compilation of the McGuffey Eclectic Readers, which was widely utilized in school systems and educated generations of Americans. The museum, now a National Historic Landmark, collects, preserves and exhibits materials relating to the life and success of Mr. McGuffey.