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?
Upcoming events:
February Lecture Series “Dillinger in ‘Little Chicago'”-Saturday February 28, 2026 10:00am & 1:00pm
March Lecture Series “Butler County’s First Bank Bandits”-Thursday March 26, 2026 7:00pm
Current Exhibit
Quilts: Stories in Needle & Thread
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of quilts, the iconic American textile, through our newest exhibit Quilts: Stories in Needle and Thread. The exhibit showcases close to 40 quilts made in or brought to Butler County and spans 125 years of history. Quilts were primary made as warm bed coverings and decorative objects, but they also relay information. Through the exhibit learn how quilts function as textile documents and tell the story of industrialization; social progress; politics and patriotism; family ties; and women’s roles, resourcefulness and accomplishments.
Open February 6-May 16, 2026
Tours are available during our regular business hours.
Visits led by the exhibit curator are available on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If you plan to bring a group of 8 or more, please call to schedule.
Upcoming Event
“Dillinger in ‘Little Chicago'”
Two Presentation Times Available
This event is at capacity, if you would like to be placed on a waiting list please e-mail your name, the number of seats, and which presentation time you prefer to: info@bchistoricalsociety.com
If we have cancelations and can fit you in we will contact you.
Saturday February 28, 2026: 10:00AM & 1:00pm
“Dillinger in ‘Little Chicago'”
Perhaps you’ve heard the stories. In October 1933, the Dillinger gang arrived in Hamilton where they hid out and planned to break famed motorized bandit John Dillinger out of jail. Join Brad Spurlock to learn about how local individuals came to play an integral role in Dillinger’s story and discover which of the local Dillinger tales are true and which are myth. Spurlock is the Smith Library of Regional History and Cummins Local History Room Manager for Lane Libraries and a board member of the BCHS and Historic Hamilton Inc. In partnership with the Lane Libraries.
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! PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHICH PRESENTATION TIME YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR!