Big Walnut Area Historical Society

04/17/2026

This has been a busy and fun week to be involved in History! On Tuesday, we learned about a local deputy who was killed chasing rum runners. On Thursday evening we were able to celebrate 100 years of Harrison Street with our replica wagon. It was so fun to watch eyes light up as children climbed in the wagon and found the "secret" compartment. Today we were able to watch the excitement when a group of homeschool children toured the Myers Inn. They were filled with so many questions and thoughts as they got to travel back in time to see the many artifacts they had previously read about. History is fun! Come see us at the Myers Inn and find out!!

04/14/2026

Please join us at the Community Library for this exciting presentation!
https://www.facebook.com/share/16m4XFC94S/

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with this immersive historical experience, April 30th from 6:30-7:30pm!

Learn "How Ohio Won the Civil War" from Captain George M. Wise, adjutant in the Union’s 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment under Sunbury’s hero, Major General William S. Rosecrans (as portrayed by Big Walnut Area Historical Society President, Mike Wise).

There will be a door prize drawing and a "test your knowledge" in a Civil War trivia game. Refreshments will be served, including some Civil War recipes.

Registration requested. Cost is free. For all ages. Click the following link to sign up: https://yourcl.libnet.info/event/15257140

Big Walnut Area Historical Society



[Image description: Mark Wise stands in Civil War Union uniform against an American Flag. "How Ohio Won the Civil War" text spans an older map of the United States next to the man. Stars and Stripes run along the top and bottom.]

04/13/2026

We hope to see you at Harrison Street ELC for the 100 year celebration and Touch a Truck. The Big Walnut Area Historical Society will have our restored wagon there too! Come be a part of history! Harrison Street Elementary 5:30-7:30!

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! Enjoy family and friends today then bring them all to visit the Myers Inn next weekend! We are open Saturdays 10:00-3:00 and Sundays 12:00-4:00. Find some stories and artifacts to share with the family!

04/02/2026

Check this event out! Hope to see you there!

03/28/2026

The Myers Inn will be closed on Sunday, April 5th for Easter. Please visit us on Saturday or the following Saturday or Sunday. Have a Happy Easter!

03/19/2026

At our March 10th meeting, Mr. Brad Orndorf presented a program about Local Native American Tools and Stone Implements. We enjoyed a nice crowd of over 30 people who learned about how Brad has found many artifacts and how to identify what he has found. He brought many examples from his personal collection, as well as, his father's collection. A BWI student, Raylan also brought in an artifact that he found and shared it with our group.

03/19/2026

Welcome to our new page! We are hoping to keep our community involved in helping with our mission of "Preserving yesterday and today for tomorrow" while focusing on the Big Walnut community. We are a volunteer run group offering free tours and stories about the history of Sunbury. If you have not visited us at the Myers Inn, we hope you will come in soon! If you would like to become a member, please message us. Donations help us to stay active and continue to add to our collections and displays. Thank you for following our site and please share this page with others!

03/19/2026

On Feb. 16, 2026 we enjoyed celebrating our volunteers with a luncheon at the Myers Inn. Thank you to all the volunteers who could attend and the volunteers who were not able to join us. We couldn't do this without your support! Chad Neeper was celebrated with the 2025 Volunteer Award but was not able to attend. Mr. Bower discussed the invaluable help of Mr. Neeper with the computer programs that help keep track of membership. We appreciate all your support, Chad Neeper! Thank you to Mr. Bill Kavage for the delicious food, Mrs. Alice Lacher and Mrs. Polly Horn for drinks, cookies, and paper supplies, and to all the volunteers who set up for the luncheon and cleaned up afterwards!

03/19/2026

At our February meeting, we were pleased to present our Program Planner, Rodger Roberts, with a plaque for his dedication and support of the Big Walnut Area Historical Society. Mr. Rodgers has been a trustee since 2009 (Myers Inn opened in 2010). During his time as a trustee, he has chaired the Volunteer committee then traded that in for chairing the Program committee. In 2016 he was also awarded the Annual Volunteer Award. Since 2010, he has planned a program to be presented at the Myers Inn each month except December (due to Christmas on the Square). At the December 2025 meeting, Mr. Roberts decided to end his tenure as a trustee but did not leave without having most of the programs for 2026 already scheduled and volunteering to still meet and take speakers out for dinner when needed. Thank you, Rodger Roberts, for all your dedication and support!