Historical Society Meeting

Putnam County Historical Society

201 East Main Street Box 264

Kalida, Ohio 45853-0264

419-532-3008

 

MUSEUM NOW ENLARGED AND HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE !

The photos above show the expanded Putnam County Museum, which includes the newly attached white house, as well as an inside handicapped ramp to make both buildings fully accessible.

Hours: Visitation Hours for the Putnam County Historical Society Museum are every Sunday, except holidays, from 1 – 4 PM and every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 noon, and other times by appointment. In addition, during the annual Pioneer Days celebration the Museum has expanded hours. Admission is free. Contact may be made by calling the Society office at 419-532-3008.

Web Site:http://www.bright.net/~pchs

Description: Putnam County Historical Society was originally founded in 1873 under the name of “Putnam County Pioneer Association.” The Putnam County Pioneer Association maintained that title until 1973 when the present name of Putnam County Historical Society was adopted.

The original organization met annually usually on Labor Day or near that date. Originally membership was limited to pioneers who had settled in Putnam County prior to 1840. In recent years membership is open to anyone who is interested in the history of Putnam County. We have members in many States in the U.S.A.

The government of the Putnam County Historical Society is vested in a Board of Trustees representing each township. Trustees are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Society. Each of the fifteen townships has at least one trustee and the more populous townships have additional trustees. Trustees are elected for a two-year term. The trustees elect the officers of the Society each year at the monthly September meeting following the Annual Meeting of the membership. Meetings of the Board of Trustees are normally held each month except in December. The Board members meet at the Putnam County Historical Society Museum in Kalida, Ohio, on the 4th Monday of each month at 7 PM.

The Trustees and other interested members of the Putnam County Historical Society serve on committees which assume the responsibility for various functions of the Society. These committees cannot act independently but may recommend action for consideration by the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees is involved in a number of historical activities, including the operation and maintenance of a Museum in Kalida, Ohio; a First Families Program; a Century Farm Program; the publication of a quarterly newsletter, Putnam County Heritage; a Historical Sites and Plaques Program; Oral History activity; Putnam County Historical Publications; and a Library.

The Kalida Lions Club was instrumental in establishing the present-day Museum. In 1970, with funds derived from the annual Pioneer Days celebration, the Kalida Lions purchased the former Methodist Church and donated it to the Society, for use as a museum for all of Putnam County. Since that time, the Museum property has expanded with the purchase of an adjacent house, which was recently attached to the existing building. At that time, a handicapped ramp was installed to make both buildings fully accessible.
Some financial support in the form of an appropriation is provided by the Putnam County Commissioners. Additional sources of revenue include membership, the sale of county historical books, and donations.