Putnam County Historical Society & Museum

Putnam County Historical Society & Museum Learn about the past of Putnam County (Ohio) by coming to the museum!

Here you will find several local artifacts on display, be able to research family and county history, become involved in yearly events, donate artifacts of your own, and much more. Set up a private tour or stop by during our regular hours- admission is free and open to the public.

Stop by the museum and annex while you’re in town for the Pioneer Days parade! Sunday, Sept. 13 (11AM- 5PM, closed durin...
09/13/2026

Stop by the museum and annex while you’re in town for the Pioneer Days parade! Sunday, Sept. 13 (11AM- 5PM, closed during the parade at 1:30PM)
Free admission. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

09/11/2026

Visit the museum & annex during Pioneer Days! Dr. Klir’s train display has some new additions for all ages to enjoy.
Hours:
Saturday, Sept. 12 (10AM- 5PM)
Sunday, Sept. 13 (11AM- 5PM, closed during the parade)
*Annual Meeting on Saturday at 1:30 PM in the office featuring guest speaker Jeanne Calvert, author of Putnam County Murders.

Free admission. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

Visit the museum & annex during Pioneer Days! Saturday, Sept. 12 (10AM- 5PM)Sunday, Sept. 13 (11AM- 5PM, closed during t...
09/11/2026

Visit the museum & annex during Pioneer Days!
Saturday, Sept. 12 (10AM- 5PM)
Sunday, Sept. 13 (11AM- 5PM, closed during the parade)
*Annual Meeting on Saturday at 1:30 PM in the office featuring guest speaker Jeanne Calvert, author of Putnam County Murders.

Free admission. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

*Thursday Threads* 🏀 Organized basketball in Putnam County dates back to at least 1910. The Putnam County Tournament fo...
09/11/2026

*Thursday Threads*
🏀 Organized basketball in Putnam County dates back to at least 1910. The Putnam County Tournament for Ohio high schools ran from 1922-1964 for boys. Girls teams competed from 1924-1940, paused in 1941, and restarted in 1975.

The region features a rich legacy of local competition from gymnasiums to comprehensive records of both boys and girls tournament winners from 1910 to the present.

Visit the PCHS museum for more information and the stories behind our high school teams.

Visit the museum and annex during Pioneer Days! Free admission. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
09/08/2026

Visit the museum and annex during Pioneer Days! Free admission. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

“Thursday Threads” in September will focus on Putnam County sports. ⚾️ One of the favorite pastimes in the county was ba...
09/04/2026

“Thursday Threads” in September will focus on Putnam County sports.
⚾️ One of the favorite pastimes in the county was baseball. Almost every town had a team, and county tournaments were popular. Many high school teams played in the fall as early as 1909. Leipsic High School documented a 4-3 record that year. Formal county leagues began in 1910. Slow pitch softball traditions at Kalida's Holy Name Ballpark were known statewide.

The PCHS museum has an interesting display of baseball and softball memorabilia from around the county. It is worth a visit.
Museum Hours:
Wednesdays (9 AM- noon)
Sundays (1-4 PM)
By appointment (send a message to schedule)

*Thursday Threads* Humans, animals, and other living organisms have relied on natural resources for survival since th...
08/28/2026

*Thursday Threads*
Humans, animals, and other living organisms have relied on natural resources for survival since the beginning of time. This week we will focus on the extraction of minerals.
Soil is one of the most important nonrenewable natural resources and has played a large part in the development of our county. Sand, clay and gravel have been very useful, especially the clay tiles that helped drain the Black Swamp and the gravel used to build early roads. Rock and earth materials were excavated, forming open pits. Some are still in operation in the county. Many of these sites, known as quarries, have been used for recreation and diving spots. Gilboa Quarry features diving, snorkeling, and paddle sports as well as camping. It claims the title of "deepest" among those of northwest Ohio.
There is no way to thoroughly cover the value of natural resources in Putnam County or the ways we can be good stewards of the land. Protecting our natural resources will ensure that they will be available for future generations.

*Thursday Threads* Putnam County Pioneer Reminiscences is a PCHS publication written by the early pioneers of our count...
08/21/2026

*Thursday Threads*
Putnam County Pioneer Reminiscences is a PCHS publication written by the early pioneers of our county. Throughout the book are first-hand accounts of encounters with the forest creatures who made their home in this region prior to the pioneers. Small creatures such as squirrels, rabbits, pheasants, raccoons, and deer inhabited this territory and became a natural resource for food, clothing, recreation, and trading. According to tradition, bears, snakes, bobcats, lynx and even lions roamed the Black Swamp at one time. As settlers arrived they gradually became extinct.
Many stories concerning the wildlife have been passed down from early settlers--some true, some tall tales; some tragic, some humorous. They are all worth a read. Stop by the museum to learn more about pioneers and their adventures with our natural resource--wildlife.

Hours: Sundays (1-4 PM)
Wednesdays (9AM-noon)
By appointment (send a message to schedule)

*Thursday Threads* Water was a very important natural resource in the history of Putnam County. Several rivers, streams...
08/14/2026

*Thursday Threads* Water was a very important natural resource in the history of Putnam County. Several rivers, streams, and tributaries run through the county. In the early 1800s, the Blanchard River carried the first white permanent settler, David Murphy, downstream in a canoe from Ft. Findlay. He landed at the confluence of the Blanchard and Auglaize Rivers, eventually building a cabin of logs and poles at an area known as the bayou. Pioneers often settled along waterways, and many of our roads follow rivers and streams. Some have interesting stories connected to their names such as Riley Creek and Hog Creek (Ottawa River).
Although water was a necessary resource, it also proved to be an obstacle for our early inhabitants. Draining the Black Swamp was a major undertaking, and the wet climate was the cause of deadly diseases. Floods were recorded as early as 1830 with the 1913 flood one of the worst in Ohio history.
Water provides recreation, fishing, swimming, and a source of enjoyment for our citizens. A blessing or a curse? It is still one of Putnam County's most valuable resources. Stop by the PCHS Museum to view photos of historic floods, the story of draining the Black Swamp, and how Hog Creek got its name.

Address

201 E Main Street Box 264
Kalida, OH
45853

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+14195323008

Website

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