Beavercreek Historical Society

07/24/2026

Photos from the America 250 - Pioneer Ice Cream Social on
Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Wartinger Park. This event was funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Greene County Committee.

07/02/2026

America 250 - Pioneer Ice Cream Social
Sunday, July 19, 5:00-7:00

In keeping with the America 250 July theme of “Ohio Gathers” the Beavercreek Historical Society is sponsoring its annual community Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 19, 5:00-7:00 at the Tobias-Zimmer Barn at Wartinger Park on Kemp Rd. The Beavercreek community is invited to gather for ice cream, fun, and friendship to celebrate our freedom, honor our nation’s history, and observe Ohio’s contributions to America over the past 250 years.

Historical Wartinger Park was dedicated as John H. Wartinger Park in 1975, honoring a local teacher and community servant. In the years following, it became the home of four early Beavercreek family historic cabins representing the first settlers in the area: Philip Harshman (1804), Samuel Ankeney (1828), John Nicodemus (1811), and George Jarusiewic (1805). The Tobias-Zimmer Barn (1858) was added in 1996 (and rebuilt in 2022) to complete the collection. All buildings will be open to visitors during the event.

The Ice Cream Social takes place in the park’s Tobias-Zimmer Barn, a very fitting tribute to the barns of old which were the gathering places in the county. In addition to serving a critical role in farming for storing crops and sheltering animals, barns were the very embodiment of community, starting with the communal effort of barn raising where locals came together to erect their neighbor’s structure in a matter of days. So important were the barns to the farmers and the community, that they were often built before the farmhouse. Early barns were vital hubs of activity, witnessing weddings, dances, and picnics and providing a place for the social interactions of early pioneers, which often included ice cream as a special treat.

This celebration will feature an America 250 traveling exhibit from Greene County Records Center and Archives showcasing notable early Greene County residents with national significance throughout history.

This event is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Greene County Committee.

The mission of the Beavercreek Historical Society is to preserve structures of historical significance, develop and present educational programs, operate a learning/research center, and co-manage Wartinger historical park with the Beavercreek Parks, Recreation and Culture Division to educate students and citizens about early pioneer life in Ohio.

The Beavercreek community is invited to celebrate America 250 by joining fellow Americans for a beautiful evening in the park complete with deliciously cold ice cream. This event is free and open to the public.

Limited special needs parking is available at the barn at 3080 Kemp Rd. (behind fire station). Additional public parking is available adjacent to the park at 3038 Kemp Rd.

NOTE:
Quarterly Member Meeting at 4:30 in the Tobias-Zimmer Barn prior to the start of the Ice Cream Social.

06/03/2026

Sharing this invite with all of the members of the Historical Society in case you had not yet seen this!

🖤🧡🦫 Calling All Beavercreek Alumni Class of 1954 and Earlier! 🦫🧡🖤

The Beavercreek Historical Society is hosting a special luncheon and memory-sharing event for Beavercreek Alumni from the Classes of 1933-1954.

Join us for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and reminiscing about growing up in Beavercreek. We’d love to hear your stories and preserve the memories that helped shape our community! 🖤🧡

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
🕦 11:30 a.m.
📍 Tobias-Zimmer Barn at Wartinger Park
3080 Kemp Rd.
Beavercreek, OH 45431

📸 What to bring:
• Your memories to share
• Photos, keepsakes, and memorabilia

📞 RSVP: Amy at 937-477-1007

Please help spread the word and invite other classmates who may be interested in attending!

🧡🖤🦫 We look forward to celebrating Beavercreek’s history together! 🦫🖤🧡

05/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B79QRXwML/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/15/2026

Celebrating Greene County History Month with Beavercreek Historical Society: “Living in Beavercreek in the 1800s”

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00 p.m.
Wartinger Park, 3080 Kemp Rd. Beavercreek Ohio

In recognition of Greene County History Month, the Beavercreek Historical Society is proud to highlight one of its most impactful community programs –the Living History Program—which is presented each year to Beavercreek’s third grade students in fulfillment of the Ohio curriculum requirement to teach students about Ohio history.

Come and listen to an overview what our third-grade students experience every year when they step back in time to explore what life was like in early Beavercreek. You will learn about this engaging educational experience that brings local history to life for young learners. The April 28 program provides an overview of the Living History Program that has operated for over 33 years and served over 17,000 students!

This program is free and open to the public—bring a friend!

NOTE: Brief Member Meeting at 5:30 Prior to Program-
Members are asked to please arrive early at 5:30 to hear from our President, Mark Wiley, and get updates on current happenings.

02/02/2026

2025 is now History; Welcome to 2026!

Here's your reminder to renew (or join!) the Beavercreek Historical Society for 2026 if you haven't done so already. Annual Membership starts at $25.

Membership info and the membership form can be found here:

To preserve structures of historical significance. To develop and oral history of Beavercreek. To found a learning center for historical education.

01/20/2026

Public Presentation on Native Americans in Beavercreek at the new Great Council State Park in Xenia, Ohio. Tuesday Jan 27, 2026 @ 6:00pm

From the early 1800’s through the mid 1900’s and beyond, it was not unusual for local farmers to uncover Native American artifacts such as arrowheads when clearing and plowing their land. Join the Beavercreek Historical Society in exploring the pivotal history of local Native Americans and Old Chillicothe (now Old Town near Xenia), delving into three tumultuous years that shaped Shawnee history on the banks of the Little Miami River. Hear about key events like the death of Cornstalk, the capture of Daniel Boone, and Clark's 1780 campaign. Learn how these events and figures influenced the Shawnee community and the broader historical landscape of our area.

Presenter Ryan DiMisa is a naturalist at the new Great Council State Park which sits on the site of the Shawnee village of Old Chillicothe. The Interpretive Center within is modeled after a historic Shawnee longhouse and celebrates and honors the history of the Native Americans and European settlers of our region. Ryan’s program will feature the history of Old Chillicothe and the culture of the Shawnee people. Ryan was also an educator and interpreter at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and SunWatch Village Archeological Park in Dayton. He is passionate about working with Tribal communities to ensure his interpretations are accurate with current community understandings and needs.

Program is free and open to the public and will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m., at the Great Council State Park, 1587 US Rt 68 N, Xenia, OH.

07/07/2025

Quarterly Meeting and Community Ice Cream Social
Tobias-Zimmer Barn, Wartinger Park, 3080 Kemp Rd.

Sunday, July 20

5:00-5:30 Member Meeting
5:30-7:00 Annual Ice Cream Social

The Beavercreek Historical Society is sponsoring our Annual Community Ice Cream Social on Sunday July 20, at the Tobias-Zimmer Barn at Wartinger Park. A brief member meeting will be held at the barn at 5:00-5:30 prior to the Social.

From 5:30-7:00, the Beavercreek community is invited to come out and enjoy an evening in our park complete with ice cream and cookies. This is our annual event sharing Beavercreek’s history with the community. It is free and open to the public—please come, bring your families, and spread the word.

Wartinger Park was named and dedicated as “John H. Wartinger Park” in 1975, honoring a local teacher and community servant. In the years following, it eventually became the home of four early Beavercreek family historic cabins representing the first settlers in the area: Philip Harshman, Samuel Ankeney, John Nicodemus, and George Jarusiewic. The Tobias-Zimmer Barn (circa 1858) was added in 1996 (and rebuilt in 2022) to complete the collection. All buildings will be open to visitors during the event.

Limited special needs parking is available adjacent to the barn at 3080 Kemp Rd. (behind the fire station). Public parking is available at the Beavercreek Board of Education, 3040 Kemp Rd.

04/15/2025

Tales of Life in Early Beavercreek Township Ohio Presentation

Have you ever wondered what daily living was like in the early pioneer days when Ohio became the 17th state in 1803?

Local historian Brett Williford will be presenting a history of Beavercreek and the role it played in the settlement of Ohio at the Beavercreek Historical Society quarterly meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 6:00 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church at 3530 Dayton-Xenia Rd.

Included in his topics will be stories about Beavercreek happenings throughout history such as the Civil War, the Shaker colony, early industry, the traction line transportation system, murder and mayhem, old structures (some still in existence), covered bridges, plane crashes, and prominent (and some infamous) families. Brett loves all things Beavercreek and has a mind for remembering many little tidbits, which he is willing to share!

Please join us for a lively discussion filled with interesting facts—and maybe some tall tales! The presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Beavercreek Historical Society visit us on Facebook and at beavercreekhistoricalsociety.org

04/15/2025