Putnam County Historical Society & Museum

06/11/2026

*Thursday Threads* The first Putnam County Fair was held in Gilboa, Ohio in 1855. It was a two-day event featuring horse races and livestock. Historically, the fair has been an opportunity to display trends in the fields of agriculture, business, and community life. It was also an occasion to meet relatives and friends from the county and surrounding areas. For children, it was a time to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of rides and entertainment. The fairgrounds eventually moved to its current location in Ottawa and the event continues to celebrate its community heritage as it marks the 171st year.

06/03/2026

05/29/2026

*Thursday Threads* Creative Arts on display throughout the Museum:
🧶Hand crocheted doilies
🧵Speed-o-weave bedspread made in 1953 by 5th grade students at Ottoville school as a fundraiser for missions
🎻Violin fashioned by C. A. Cole, Gilboa, OH, 1916
🎨Oil painting of the Sam and Ann Cartwright home, Mary Lou Cartwright, artist, c1937. It is possible this house was used by the underground railroad.

👍Visit the museum to see these artifacts on display.

05/25/2026

Remembering those who made great sacrifices for our country. We recognize them and their families on Memorial Day and every day. Thank you 🇺🇸

We encourage you to visit our Military Room and remember those who have served our country. Our hours are Wednesdays 9-noon, Sundays 1-4, or by private appointment.

Our war memorabilia includes items such as these Purple Hearts. They were awarded to:
🇺🇸Frank E. Little of Kalida, killed in action July 28, 1943
🇺🇸Sgt. Herbert Altstaetter of Columbus Grove, killed May 24, 1944
🇺🇸Judge Henry Mittelkamp of Ottoville, wounded at Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 24, 1944

05/21/2026

*Thursday Threads* 🧵🪡Quilting has evolved from a functional craft to a recognized creative art form. The PCHS has a variety of quilts with interesting histories.
🧵The War Quilt of 1918 was quilted and embroidered with 239 names. Individuals paid $1 to have his or her name embroidered on the quilt. It was completed by Alice Labadie and her daughters, Louise and Angela. Sponsored by the American Red Cross, the quilt was auctioned at the courthouse. Frank Kahle bid the highest at $300, all proceeds going to the Red Cross. The quilt was donated to the PCHS in 1984 and is proudly displayed in the office.
🧵Another unique quilt in our collection is a hand embroidered and hand stitched quilt depicting the 50 states. It includes each state's date of entry, state bird, and flower. Alaska and Hawaii are represented on two matching pillows. This quilt is also exhibited at the museum.
🧵The “Crazy Quilt” brings a colorful and unusual contrast to our collection. Crazy quilting is a distinctive textile art using irregular fabric patches and rebels against traditional quilting rules. It embraces creative freedom and has become popular as a form of expression.

05/15/2026

*Thursday Threads* Putnam County has been home to many artists through the years.
🎨John (Dick) Nartker (1930-1998) was a prolific artist and educator. Born in Kalida, his artistic career included painting, printmaking, and ceramics. He remained on the faculty of the college of Mount St. Joseph for 30 years where he participated in more than 250 exhibitions. Narker is best known for creating a giant chess set recognized in the 1987 Guinness Book of World Records. Pieces measure up to 4-5 feet and the set weighs over 1,300 pounds. Three sample pieces are on display at the PCHS museum.
🎨Oscar Valesquez (1944-2021) self-taught artist, author, and musician, was a renowned muralist with countless murals in towns all over the United States. His family moved to Gilboa in 1953. Soon after graduation from Pandora-Gilboa High School, he was hired by the American Greeting Card Company. Six years later he launched his illustrious career. Oscar's watercolor paintings and murals depicted small town life in the past. Sixteen of his forty-six historical murals are located in Putnam County. A history of his lifework and paintings can be found at the PCHS museum.

05/07/2026

*Thursday Threads* The month of May will feature the creative arts. 🎨🖌️
Putnam County has been home to many talented artists. One of the most influential was Emerson Burkhart, a native of Kalida. As early as first grade, Emerson showed an enterprising spirit that would serve him in later life. He forged parents' signatures on classmates' report cards for a slight fee.
Emerson was influenced by another Kalida artist, Sylvester von der Embse. Syl guided many young people in their love of art, and was instrumental in Burkhart's development as an artist.
Emerson moved to Columbus where he became well known internationally, producing thousands of paintings over his 64 year career. His story and many others are displayed at the PCHS museum.
🎨 Our artist corner is worth a visit as paintings from several local artists are on exhibit.

04/30/2026

*Thursday Threads* Women empowerment and bicycles? Yes! 🚲 Ladies pedaled their way to women's liberation when the bicycle boom hit our country in the late 19th century. Bikes allowed women independence of movement and the freedom to be part of society. The power of the bicycle accelerated women's rights while they glided along to better health and fitness. Bicycles also declared the release from Victorian feminine wardrobes. Bloomers (divided skirts) became the alternative to hoops and layers of petticoats. From promoting physical and social mobility to freedom through fashion, the bicycle as a form of transportation changed the status of women toward equality and progress.

04/24/2026

~Thursday Threads: Changes in transportation through the years.

04/19/2026

Join us today, April 19 at 2:00 as we welcome local author Jeanne Bennett Calvert for a book signing and discussion. Calvert’s latest endeavor, “Putnam County Murders,” takes the reader from early incidents involving Native Americans and pioneers to the present day.

Calvert, from Oakwood, Ohio, has written other books, including “Defiance County Murders,” “Paulding County Murders,” and “Van Wert County Murders.” All books will be available for signing and purchasing at the museum on April 19.

Doors will be open for self-guided tours of the museum from 1-4PM.