Darke County Visitors Bureau
See it. Save it. Celebrate it. 

During the month of May, celebrate the history and heritage of Darke County during National Historic Preservation Month. 

Pick up your copy of the "See it. Save it. Celebrate it." brochure full of preservation month activities at the Visitors Bureau located in The Palace in downtown Greenville, or read on for full details. 

For more information on events taking place throughout the year in Darke County, visit our website at VisitDarkeCounty.org. You can also catch up with us on Facebook. 

First Fridays - Upper Floor Tour 

May 3, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Main Street Greenville hosts a tour of four downtown upper flour spaces. Each space is in different phases, from not touched in over 50 years to being ready to move in. Tickets are $5 pre-sale or $8 the night of the event. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at Brenda's Beanery, Bread Of Life Christian Bookstore, Granny's Corner, Sadie Grace, or the Main Street Greenville Office (2nd Story of the Palace Building). (937) 548-4998 www.MainStreetGreenville.org 

Spring Open House at Bear's Mill 

May 4 & 5, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Spring is the perfect time to celebrate National Preservation Month by visiting Bear’s Mill. Tour the four-story working antique, walk the beautiful grounds and marvel at the ingenuity of our forefathers in utilizing the natural resources of the property to engineer and build the Mill and maintain its operations. Enjoy shopping the Mill Market & Gallery for new offerings in merchandise and art. (937) 548-5112 www.BearsMill.com 

History Comes Alive at The Prairie 

Saturdays in May, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The Log House at Shawnee Prairie Preserve will be open to the public on Saturday afternoons in the month of May. Bring the whole family back to the early 1800's and visit with our period-dressed volunteers as they explain their way of life while going about day-to-day chores. Help the Log House "owners" get the house spruced up, explore the upstairs bedroom, help weed the garden or maybe even try a bit of the day's meal. If you are interested in history, this is a great chance to see the Log House in action. (937) 548-0165 www.DarkeCountyParks.org. 

Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society Open House 

May 4, 9:00 am to Noon. The Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society will have their Kickoff to May National Historical Preservation Month on Saturday, May 4 located at 123 W. George Street in Arcanum. Tour the historic building originally built in 1894 as the Louis Deitrich Saloon. Since then the building has hosted many businesses including Beck's Hotel and the Wayne Trail Grange. On display will the restoration of the old house by the historical society. Also, visit the town's founder's grave, William Gunder, at the Ithaca Cemetery located on St. Rt. 503 north of Ithaca. Displays on local old homes are at the Arcanum Public Library during the month of May. (937) 692-6462. www.ArcanumHistoricalSociety.org 

Lowell Thomas House Tour 

May 4 & 25, Noon to 4:00 pm. During National Historic Preservation Month, visit the Lowell Thomas House, preserved at the Garst Museum. The name 'Lowell Thomas' evokes a number of images... Adventurer, explorer, world traveler, author. However, he was best remembered as a radio news commentator on the CBS Radio Network. Thomas was born in Darke County, and is remembered through a vast exhibit at Garst Museum. Admission to the house is free, but regular admission to tour the museum will apply. (937) 548-5250. www.GarstMuseum.org 

What’s Up There? - Versailles' Upper Floor Tour 

May 4, at noon or 3:00 pm. Versailles Historical Society highlights guided tours of five upper floors in historic downtown buildings followed by a Q&A with light refreshments. Reserve your tickets by calling the Versailles Museum at (937) 526-4222 

The First Five Children of William Gunder Arcanum’s Founder 

May 9, 7:00 pm. A presentation by Bill Gunder - author, researcher, & the Great Grandson of William Gunder at Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society, 123 W. George St. Arcanum. (937) 620-2800 www.ArcanumHistoricalSociety.org 

Historic Rescue Crew Reception 

May 17, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Union City Preservation Society is hosting a reception at The Community Room Building, 103 N. Columbia Union City, Indiana complete with appetizers, wine, music and entertainment in effort to increase awareness & participation in the preservation of Union City. No charge. RSVP's requested (765) 964-5658. 

Mills & Stills 

May 18, 5:00 to 9:00 pm. In celebration of Historic Preservation Month, a collaborative fundraising event will take place between two National Register Historic Sites - Bear's Mill and Staley Mill Farm & Indian Creek Distillery. Ticket price of $35 includes informational tours, appetizers, musical entertainment, special tastings from Bear's Mill and the Distillery. For tickets or information, call Bear's Mill at (937) 548-5112 or Indian Creek Distillery at (937) 846-1443. www.BearsMill.com 

Bradford History Day 

May 18, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bradford Public Library and Historical Society of Bradford will be celebrating Bradford’s past & future at the library with local authors, artifacts, and historical photographs on display in addition to plans for the bell tower & school ornaments for sale. While you are visiting, stop in the Bradford Railroad Museum and discover it’s rich history (regular admission to musem applies). (937) 448-2612 

Museum, Rail Road, Depot, & Caboose Tour 

Monday, May 20, 9:00 am. A free tour featuring the history of Union City will be offered beginning at The Community Room, Building 103 N. Columbia St. in Union City. (765) 964-5658 

Mark Your Calendar 

Garst Gala 

Celebrate Ohio-born legend and world-traveler, Annie Oakley during "Annie's Wild West Gala" on Garst Museum and The National Annie Oakley Center in Greenville, Ohio. Join in the festivities and efforts to share Annie's story beyond the borders of her beloved Darke County. Enjoy food, friends, silent auction, live auction, raffles, door prizes and lots of fun! 

Tickets for Annie’s Wild Raffle are $5 each. Tickets for the Gala are $12 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Garst Museum, and by calling

(937) 548-5250. All funds raised at this event will benefit the Garst Museum. 

Dirt Late Model Dream

June 6 - 8

Eldora Speedway

(937) 338-3815 

Poultry Days

June 14, 15 & 16

Versailes 

The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure

June 18 & 19

Greenville City Park 

Check us out on-line at VisitDarkeCounty.org 

Photo Credit:

Amber Garrett

Look Here Photography