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:
The Butler County Historical Society will be CLOSED on Saturday March 7
Quilts: Stories in Needle & Thread Presentation: Saturday March 21, 2026 1:00pm
March Lecture Series “Butler County’s First Bank Bandits”
- Thursday March 26, 2026 7:00pm: SOLD OUT
- Saturday April 4, 2026 10:00am
Tales From the Booth: An Evening with Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman: Saturday March 28, 2026 7:30pm
“Bed Turning” Presentation: Saturday April 18, 2026 1:00pm
The Butler County Historical Society will be CLOSED on Saturday April 25 – Come see us at The Hollow Earth Festival
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
“Butler County’s First Bank Bandits'”
Second Date Added
Due to the popularity of this presentation we have added a second date:
Saturday April 4, 2026 10:00am
Thursday March 26, 2026: 7:00pm–SOLD OUT
“Butler County’s First Bank Bandits”
Join local educator and storyteller Dave Burk as he details the legends and lore of some of Butler County’s most notorious bank robbers and their heists. Burk has spent ten years researching every bank robbery in Southwest Ohio since the first one in 1876. Hear of the exploits of the likes of Herb Hebenstreit, Ritzmer Goins, “Gentleman” Gerald Chapman and Bob “The Fox of Gangland” Zwick, one of the most feared local bootleggers of his time. If you are a fan of true crime, check out this evening full of our area’s top hold up men.
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!