Welcome to the Butler County Historical Society and Museum
The Butler County Historical Society is a private non-profit organization that formed in 1934 to preserve and promote the history of Butler County. The society, incorporated in 1948, owns and operates the Benninghofen House Museum, a high-Italian style home built in 1863 that is filled with the furnishings of a wealthy family during the Victorian era. It also manages the Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument on Front Street and the McCloskey Wonder Works(Temporarily located at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park).
What’s Happening at BCHS?
Tuesday June 10, 2025-BCHS will be closed from 11:30am-1:00pm for a staff meeting
Upcoming speakers series events:
Thursday, June 26, 2025 7:00pm-“Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s and ’60s”
Second Date Added! Saturday, June 28, 2025 1:00PM-“Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s and ’60s”
Tuesday, July 15, 7:00pm-“Echoes of the Earth: Unraveling the Mysteries of Butler County’s Fortified Hill Earthworks”
Thursday, August 28, 7:00pm-“The Safe Capital of the World”
Current Exhibit
Now Open!
“Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s and ’60s”
The Butler County Historical Society’s latest exhibit entitled, “Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s and ’60s” is now open. The exhibit features Butler County drive-in movie theaters, drive-in restaurants, snack food manufacturers, soda bottling companies, public swimming pools and more. A Hamilton-made Skotch brand cooler display is also included. Various rooms of the Benninghofen Museum have been decorated with items from the time period of the exhibit as well. The society and museum are located at 327 N. Second Street, Hamilton, Ohio. The exhibit will be available for viewing during normal BCHS operating hours. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tours of the exhibit and the museum are free, however no tours will begin within one hour of the facility’s closing time.
Upcoming Event
“Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s & ’60s”
Second Presentation Added!
Saturday, June 28: 1:00PM
Thursday, June 26: 7:00pm
“Hot fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Delights of the 1950s & ’60’s”
Summertime fun for the entire family in Butler County had an almost endless array of options. BCHS Executive Director Brian Smith takes a look back at summer hangouts including drive-in movie theaters, drive-in restaurants, local pools, and other summer fun of the area in the two decades following WWII. Local snack manufacturers and county-based soda bottling companies will also be discussed.
Admission is free for BCHS members or $5.00 for non-members payable at the door. Reservations are required-and limited to 100-please use the link on the website to register. If you have any questions please call BCHS at 513-896-9930!