02/10/2026
America 250 – Celebrating Innovations from Ohio –> February 2026
Bainbridge Twp. Historical Society is joining the America250 celebration of Ohio’s Innovators through a new exhibit at our museum located at 17870 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge. Ray and Koop Ferwerda were two brothers living in Lake Lucerne, Bainbridge, who invented the Gradall excavator in 1944. The patent was sold to Warner & Swasey and the Gradall became an international sensation in the industry. As one of the most successful inventions contributing to the modernization of road and bridge construction, the Gradall and the Ferwerda brothers will be honored at our Bissell-Tucek Museum with a special exhibit including movies, photos, books and designs of the excavator. To allow for more people to experience this special exhibit, our museum will have expanded hours for the month of February. Stop by to marvel at this invention that has forever changed the construction industry. Admission is free.
America250 Event at the Bissell-Tucek House Museum:
What: Special exhibit featuring a display and video of the Ferwerda Brothers from Bainbridge (Lake Lucerne), inventors of the Gradall machine.
When: February 16, 28 — 10:00am-1:00pm
February 7, 12, 15, 21 — 1:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Bainbridge Historical Society Bissell-Tucek Museum, 17870 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge (just south of the fire station)
