Thanks for a great 2022 season!

The museum is now closed for the season. If you would like to schedule a personal tour during the off season please call or text the site director Kim Rammel at 419-852-0028. Kim can also be reached by e-mail at FortRecoverystatemuseum@yahoo.com

Sunday August 28, 3:00 - Presentation by David Heckman

The newly scheduled August speaker is David Heckman, a researcher, writer and presenter regarding the Indian wars of the late 1700’s. He is particularly interested in St. Clair’s Battle on the banks of the Wabash because he had an ancestor who played an important part in that battle, was shot as part of the rear guard and left for dead, but then showed up at Fort Jefferson four days later.

 

  

Heckman also has a 20+ ft detailed map of every one of St. Clair’s forts and camps as well as Anthony Wayne’s forts and camps from Fort Washington to Fallen Timbers. Attendees at this August 28 presentation are invited to check out and photograph that detailed map.

This presentation which is free to the public will be held at the Nazarene Family Center, 401 E. Boundary St. Fort Recovery, 45846. Call 419-375-4384 for more information

Sunday July 31, 3:00 - Presentation by Historian Harrison Frech!

Anthony Shane, A Bridge Between Cultures, The Settling of Shane’s Crossing (Rockford, OH)

 

 

Location: Nazarene Family Center 401 E Boundary St., Fort Recovery, 45846

Handicapped Accessible

 

 
Harrison Frech taught 42 years in the Parkway School system, the last 29 years as an American History and Government teacher. He retired in 2014. Now he speaks to groups in Mercer and Van Wert Counties on various topics in area history. Frech has an M. A. in American History from Youngstown State University and is the author of Anthony Shane: Scout, Interpreter, Town Founder and Witness to History and War, Mobs, Riot, Cholera, Amnesia and a Bombing: Stories of Area People and Incidents.
 
The subject of the presentation Anthony Shane, a man of French Canadian and Native American ancestry, was an interpreter, a scout, a trader and a town founder (Rockford, Ohio). He was a participant in many of the major events in the history of the Trans-Appalachian Frontier including fighting on the Native side against Anthony Wayne's campaign, on the United States side in several of the important battles of the War of 1812 in the Old Northwest. Shane served as interpreter for the negotiations for the post war treaties with the tribespeople and later for the Shawnee-Delaware Reservation in Kansas Territory. As a lifetime acquaintance of the famed Shawnee Tecumseh, he would be an important source for the leader's biographers. The experiences of Shane, his Delaware wife Young Bird Woman and their family showed some of the challenges to be faced by people of Native and mixed ancestry at the time.
 
Frech will have books available for purchase. 

No charge for the presentation.

 
Presented by the Fort Recovery State Museum, 419-375-4384

Historical Scavenger Hunt! Participate now until Saturday June 18!

The Fort Recovery Historical Society is excited to sponsor a Historical Scavenger Hunt leading up to the Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee! All participants will be given clues to different pieces of history they will need to gather at 12 different Historical sites in the Village limits.

Paper copies of the questions can be picked up at all Fort Recovery banks, Fort Recovery Insurance, and the Fort Recovery Museum (open daily from 12:00-5:00).

Clue questions can also be downloaded off our Facebook page or Website.

You can do this Scavenger Hunt on your own time and when completed participants must turn in the required hunt information from 4-7 pm on Saturday at the Jubilee headquarters to be entered for the chance to win a $50.00 merchants gift certificate!

This will be a fun activity for all kinds of groups, families, neighbors’ classmates or friends! Get everyone involved!

There is so much rich history to be learned about our little Village!

Guns and Weapons Specialist Speaking June 26, 3:00! Paul D. Lockhart

It will be a pleasure to host well-known and respected author, professor and lecturer, Paul Douglas Lockhart of Wright State University to Fort Recovery on the last Sunday of this month. His topic is: Firepower: How Weapons Shaped Warfare. Although his book covers many time-periods and wars, knowing his audience, Paul will specifically include Wabash Battle 1791 and the 1794 Anthony Wayne Battles of Fort Recovery and Fallen Timbers in his presentation.

Lockhart was here to participate in the John Winkler Battlefield Walk this spring, and at that time he said, “You have some very interesting weapons in the museum and near the monument that I bet you aren’t aware of! Now what could that be? He would not give a hint – just said he would reveal his “secret” when he came in June. So now is your curiosity also aroused?

In 1989, Lockhart earned his Ph.D. at Purdue University. His research interests include the history of Denmark, Norway, Scania, Iceland, Greenland, Schleswig-Holstein at the time of the Protestant Reformation. Wright State awarded Lockhart the title of Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research, and in 2022, he won the Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, Wright State's highest award for academic achievement. The Ohio Academy of History selected him as Distinguished Historian for 2020-21.

Lockhart's book Firepower: How Weapons Shaped Warfare (2021) will be available for purchase and signing at this free and handicapped accessible event which will be held at Fort Recovery Nazarene Family Center, 401 E. Boundary St. Fort Recovery. (Call 419-375-4384 for more information)

Sunday April 10, 3:00 - Presentation by Author Robert Kuck II

Author of Blood and Honor; The Life and Times of Fur Trader, Pierre Louis de Lorimier

This Author Coming Sunday, April 10 – 3:00. Location Nazarene Center, Fort Recovery

It is so exciting that this author of “Blood and Honor” is coming to Fort Recovery. But in order to make that possible, the museum will be presenting him BEFORE our museum officially opens for the 2022 season.

Bob lives in Sarasota, FL but is scheduled to appear at Wright State University on April 9, so it made financial sense to incorporate his appearance at Fort Recovery on his scheduled trip North. Please mark your calendars for this “promised to be great” appearance. I just finished this book in January, so I enthusiastically put my personal endorsement on the interest aroused and information contained in Blood and Honor!

Blood and Honor explores the life of French fur trader Pierre-Louis de Lorimier from his birth in Quebec in 1748 until his death in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 1812. Since this is the exact time period leading up to, during and following “our” Wabash Indian/Army battle history, Kuck’s book really helps to “paint the complete picture.” Unlike most of our previous speakers and the books we sell, the events in Blood and Honor are described from the perspective and experiences of the French and Native Americans.

Pierre-Louis de Lorimier led a fascinating life, and Kuck certainly did it justice in the telling of his story. It will give you new and captivating ideas to contemplate. (thanks patron Ken Soward for the recommendation.)

For more information: 419-375-4384

No charge for presentation.

Thank You 2022 Patrons!

Below are the Museum patrons for 2022 (as of May 1). YOU are the ones who have enabled the museum to be successful over the years. Obviously, little would be accomplished without your help and support! If we have missed anyone, please let us know .

General Mad Anthony Wayne - $1000
Eric , Pat Grieshop
Cy, Helen LeFevre
Wendel Poultry Service

Miami Chief Little Turtle- $500
Russ, Jeanne Belle
Mike, Brenda Grieshop
Buzz, Pat Hull
Wes, Patti Jetter

General Arthur St. Clair - $250
William Finley
Paul Heiby
Ed, Therese Hosbach
JR Manufacturing
Richard Kemper
Nancy Knapke
Wilbert, Annie Lochtefeld
Marcie, Ruth, Flinn Smith
Richard, Linda Smith
Kathy Thobe

Shawnee War Chief, Blue Jacket - $100
Tim, Mary Barman
Floyd, Joan Bergman
Milton, Charlene Bergman
Jason, Amy Bihn
Tom, Linda Boeckman
Brian, Mindy Bubp
Phil Campbell
Judith Damewood
Neil, Pat Diller
Randy, Mary Diller
Shorty, Jean Dues
Charles, Cathy Etzler
Jim, Kathy Faller
Bob Fiely
Ralph, Sandy Fireover
Paul, Ginny Fortkamp
Scott, Lisa Grieshop
Bob, Carol Hart
David Jackson
Dian Kaiser
Jerry, Lorri Kaup
Bob, Brenda Kaup
Dave, Lucy Kaup
Carl, Cathy Koesters
Ken, Janice Lamm
Lamm’s Insurance Agency
Tom, Joan Lamm
Tom, Lisa LeFevre
Gene, Barb Lennartz
Pat Meier
Bob, Karen Meiring
Cindy Moorman
Tom, Doris Muhlenkamp
Muhlenkamp & Asso.s LLC
Keith, Suzanne Nieberding
Dennis, Sharon Ontrop
Park National Bank
Charlene Pearson
Dave, Kim Rammel
John, Carol Ranly
Tom Ratterman
Ken, Elaine Romer
Bruce, Sharon Scott
Ken Sowards
Chuck, Lucy Staugler
Irene Stone
Christine Thompson
Tin Cupboard
Mike, Jill Walter
Rick, Beth Weber
Tracy Evers Westgerdes in memory- Mike Evers
Joe, Donna Whitacre
David, Norma Will
Ed, Debbie Zumstein  

Delaware War Chief, Buckongahelas - $50
Nancy Abels
Jason, Jill Andrews
Jami Brunk
James Cudlip
Louis, Jeanette Diller
Bud, Mary Granger
Mark, Donna Grube
Mark, Natalie Hamberg
Mary Holfacker
Oscar Jutte
Eric, Amy Kaiser
Marjorie Kaup Haines
Tom, Tess Kaup
Larry, Diana Keller
Jerry, Mary Lou Kramer
Timothy Mann
Chuck, Natalie Meinerding
Rich, Barb Meiring
Mercer Savings Bank
Kim, Brent Niekamp
Jeff, Linda Nietfeld
Ed, Debra Nixon
Janie Overley
Dale, Alice Pearson
Patrick, Nancy Reinhard
Mike, Sharon Roessner
Mary Schmitz
Chris, Cheryl Schoen
Ton, Amanda Siegrist
Mike, Sandy Stein
James, Pat Sudhoff
Terry, Deb Wellman
Roger, Cheryl Wenning
Ron, Linda Zehringer

Red Haired Nance - $25
Roger, Kathy Broerman
Larry Brunk
Mark, Marylene Brunswick
Mara Cox
John, Pauline Faller
Holly Gann
Matt, Chrissy Hart
Joe, Nikki Hawk
Jon, Kate Hein
Joe, Esther Heitkamp
Kevin Keller
Angie King
Ken, Lil Knapke
Rick Knoth
Don, Linda Lennartz
Dan Lowery
Pat, Mary Niekamp
Carlton, Mary Rhoades
Doug Roebuck
Dave, Janet Roessner
Ed, Laura Snyder
Pat Sommer
Jack, Marcia Staugler
James, Laura Wagner
Les, Pat Wenning
Kirby Whitacre

General Richard Butler-- $10 (individual membership)
Willis Beck
Frank Butwin
Dustie Ide
Joan Kaiser
Tim Wellman

Sunday October 17, 5:00 - One-Of-A Kind Auction! FR Elementary/Middle School

Celebration! Come On!
The One-of-a-Kind Auction Committee which raises funds for Fort Recovery’s Historical Sites and Events is busy gathering and organizing great items for its annual live auction, silent auction and raffle. Check the museum Facebook page for pictures of some of the items. Also, take note! Historical society members have tickets to sell for the $1095 diamond necklace donated for the event by Jones Jewelry of Celina. Necklace tickets are just $5.00 or 3/$10. Tickets are also available at the museum or at Kaup’s Pharmacy.

The Celebration Theme was selected for the auction in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Fort Recovery Historical Society and the 20th One-of-a-Kind Auction! Some lucky auction attendee on October 17 will win the $75 cash Celebration prize, courtesy of the Historical Society. No ticket to purchase – just attendance at the auction qualifies you!

Sunday October 24 - Battlefield Tour with John Winkler

 Want to Walk the Battle Field with the Ultimate Expert, John Winkler?

In response to those who have asked when there is going to be another Battlefield Walk with John Winkler, the answer is October 24! Email the museum or call me, Nancy Knapke, Site Manager, at 419-375-4384. There is no charge for patrons; $10 for non-patrons. This date is actually near the original battle date of November 4. Headsets will be supplied for all.

We love our tour groups and visitors!

The following groups are visiting the museum in 2021. We are excited to have them visit!

March 19 - Versailles Elementary 4th Grade

April 19 - Rio Grande College representatives

April 20 - Auglaize County Home School group

April 22 - The Miami Valley School (Dayton) 5th Grade

April 28, 29 - Coldwater Elementery 4th Grade

May 10, 11, 12, 14 - Celina 4th Grade

May 13 - Fort Recovery 3rd Grade

May 20 - Adult Tour Group

May 21 - New Bremen 2nd Grade

Sunday October 24 - Battlefield Tour with John Winkler

Want to Walk the Battle Field with the Ultimate Expert, John Winkler?
In response to those who have asked when there is going to be another Battlefield Walk with John Winkler, the answer is October 24! Email the museum or call me, Nancy Knapke, Site Manager, at 419-375-4384. There is no charge for patrons; $10 for non-patrons. This date is actually near the original battle date of November 4. Headsets will be supplied for all.

Sunday October 17, 5:00 - One-of-a-Kind Auction at FR Elementary/Middle School

Celebration! Come On!
The One-of-a-Kind Auction Committee which raises funds for Fort Recovery’s Historical Sites and Events is busy gathering and organizing great items for its annual live auction, silent auction and raffle. Check the museum Facebook page for pictures of some of the items. Also, take note! Historical society members have tickets to sell for the $1095 diamond necklace donated for the event by Jones Jewelry of Celina. Necklace tickets are just $5.00 or 3/$10. Tickets are also available at the museum or at Kaup’s Pharmacy.

The Celebration Theme was selected for the auction in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Fort Recovery Historical Society and the 20th One-of-a-Kind Auction! Some lucky auction attendee on October 17 will win the $75 cash Celebration prize, courtesy of the Historical Society. No ticket to purchase – just attendance at the auction qualifies you!

Speaker Joe Beatty, Sunday July 25 at 3:00!

Speaker: Historian, Joe Beatty of Houston Texas
Topic: “The Northwest Ordinance, 1787: Implemented in Fort Recovery; Have we Honored it yet today?”
When: 3:00, Sunday, July 25, 2021
Where: Nazarene Family Center
401 East Boundary St. – Straight east of the reconstructed fort
Fort Recovery, OH 45846
Cost: Free

At 3:00 on Sunday, July 25, Joe Beatty of Houston, Texas will be the third speaker in the Fort Recovery State Museum 2021 Speaker Series. Beatty is one of the most popular presenters for the museum, and this will be his third appearance in Fort Recovery. The title of his talk on the 25th is: “The Northwest Ordinance, 1787: Implemented in Fort Recovery; Have we honored it yet today?”

  
Perhaps Joe comes by his patriotism and love of history predictably because he is a direct descendant of Ensign Samuel Beatty and Captain Erkuries Beatty who served under General Arthur St. Clair, building a road and constructing forts from Fort Washington (Cincinnati) to the banks of the Wabash, where they encountered the Native Confederation.
  
Captain Erkuries Beatty survived the Battle of the Wabash (1791) but Ensign Samuel perished in that battle. Samuel Beatty’s name is etched in the Fort Recovery Monument as one of the officers killed in that massacre on the Wabash. That Battle of the Wabash is now recognized as a watershed moment in American history.
  
Attendees should note that this presentation will be held at the Fort Recovery Nazarene Family Center, 401 East Boundary Street, Fort Recovery. This location is several blocks straight east of the reconstructed fort and state museum.

The donations of the Museum Patrons, a grant from the Fort Recovery Community Foundation, and the free use of the Nazarene Church Facilities, enable this presentation to be free of charge for attendees. The venue is air conditioned and handicapped accessible. Call 419-375-4384 for more information or check the Fort Recovery State Museum website or Fort Recovery State Museum Facebook Page.

Recent Newsletters and Become a Patron Today!

The most recent Fort Recovery Museum Newsletters can be found at the Newsletters link on the menu bar above. We would love to have you as a patron for 2022! See patron form below.

 

Introducing the Digital Precontact Experience!

Welcome to The Digital Precontact Experience !

Archaeologist and students from the Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University, in collaboration with the Fort Recovery Historical Society, have created an online StoryMap that highlights the Fort Recovery Historical Society’s large collection of projectile points, and other stone artifacts. These artifacts date from the Paleoindian (ca. 14,000-7,000 BC) to Late Precontact (post AD 900) periods, and are exhibited in the Fort Recovery State Museum. The new online StoryMap is available via computer, mobile phone, or tablet. The StoryMap includes context about the artifacts and cultural periods, photos and 3D images of selected artifacts, videos, maps, and more. We are so excited that this StoryMap will provide more exhibit content to Museum visitors, provide a way for Museum visitors with accessibility issues to enjoy this exhibit, and will make this collection available digitally to those who cannot visit the Museum. We hope you enjoy this new addition to the Fort Recovery State Museum!

To access The Digital Precontact Experience

·      Use the link above

·      Use this link https://bit.ly/3x0YfqI -- or --

·      Scan this QR code with your phone or iPad

 

This project is made possible in part by the Ohio History Fund, a grant program of the Ohio History Connection. The Ohio History Fund is made possible by voluntary donations of state income tax refunds, sales of Ohio History “mastodon” license plates, and other donations. www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund

Sunday June 27, Speaker and author Kirby Whitacre at 3:00; and "The Digital Precontact Experience" from 1:00-5:00

3:00 - Author, Kirby Whitacre will present “Characters of the 1790-95 Indian War and the Little-Known Facts that Tie History Together”. Whitacre’s book, The Spirit Traveler; the Northwest Indian War in the Ohio Country, will be available for purchase and signing before his talk.

1:00-5:00 - Archaeologist, Christine Thompson from the Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University, will be at the Fort Recovery State Museum from 1:00 to 5:00 to give the first demonstrations of the “The Digital Precontact Experience.” This online StoryMap highlights the Fort Recovery Historical Society’s large collection of projectile points and other stone artifacts (arrowheads/spearpoints).

Friday, May 28, 7:30 pm. Fort Recovery Memorial Day Observance and Lighting of the Fort Recovery Monument!

 YOU are invited to attend the Once-in-a-Lifetime event of the first lighting of the Fort Recovery Monument.  This will be a joint ceremony of the American Legion Post 345, VFW Post 6515 and the Fort Recovery Museum and Historical Society. The program will include remarks by the commanders of the Legion and VFW, their chaplain, district representative and Honor Guard and Site Manager.

Those who have contributed to make this “Lighting” a reality whether by contributing financial aid, expertise or work effort will be recognized.  The Fort Recovery Band will play, the switch will be thrown to light the monument and there will be a 21 gun salute.  Adding to the drama of the event will be 1000 crosses (covering the south lawn) honoring those veterans whose remains lie in a crypt under the 105 ft. obelisk.  Having the honor of pushing the button will be the oldest veteran in the Fort Recovery Veterans’ organizations; Lester Huelskamp, a veteran of WWII who will be 98 years old by the end of May.  

Bring your children to this memorable event.  You are welcome to bring lawn chairs.

Two Special Events on Sunday May 2, from 3:00-5:00!

From 3:00 to 5:00 on Sunday, May 2 will be two great (and free) attractions:

Dr. Tim Barman   - an extensive antique hand-tool display.  Visitors are also welcome to bring along an antique tool to show or to ask questions about.  This display will be on the covered front porch of the museum.

Mr. Bob Hart - an impressive display of his woodworking works of art.  Bob may share a secret or two of how some very complex bowls, vases, goblets, etc. were designed and created.  His exhibition will be in the community room, downstairs in the museum.

Both attractions are free.

Sunday September 26, 3:00 - Author Mary Stockwell CANCELED

CANCELED  "Interrupted Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant and the American Indians"

Mary Stockwell a most popular speaker at Fort Recovery (The Other Trail of Tears and Unlikely General) will show how Grant developed an Indian policy, with the help of his close friend, Ely Parker, himself a Seneca Indian, to protect the tribes and welcome them into the nation as citizens. All three books available.

Sunday July 25 3:00 - History Enthusiast Joe Beatty

Speaker: Historian, Joe Beatty of Houston Texas
Topic: “The Northwest Ordinance, 1787: Implemented in Fort Recovery; Have we Honored it yet today?”
When: 3:00, Sunday, July 25, 2021
Where: Nazarene Family Center
401 East Boundary St. – Straight east of the reconstructed fort
Fort Recovery, OH 45846
Cost: Free

At 3:00 on Sunday, July 25, Joe Beatty of Houston, Texas will be the third speaker in the Fort Recovery State Museum 2021 Speaker Series. Beatty is one of the most popular presenters for the museum, and this will be his third appearance in Fort Recovery. The title of his talk on the 25th is: “The Northwest Ordinance, 1787: Implemented in Fort Recovery; Have we honored it yet today?”

  
Perhaps Joe comes by his patriotism and love of history predictably because he is a direct descendant of Ensign Samuel Beatty and Captain Erkuries Beatty who served under General Arthur St. Clair, building a road and constructing forts from Fort Washington (Cincinnati) to the banks of the Wabash, where they encountered the Native Confederation.
  
Captain Erkuries Beatty survived the Battle of the Wabash (1791) but Ensign Samuel perished in that battle. Samuel Beatty’s name is etched in the Fort Recovery Monument as one of the officers killed in that massacre on the Wabash. That Battle of the Wabash is now recognized as a watershed moment in American history.
  
Attendees should note that this presentation will be held at the Fort Recovery Nazarene Family Center, 401 East Boundary Street, Fort Recovery. This location is several blocks straight east of the reconstructed fort and state museum.

The donations of the Museum Patrons, a grant from the Fort Recovery Community Foundation, and the free use of the Nazarene Church Facilities, enable this presentation to be free of charge for attendees. The venue is air conditioned and handicapped accessible. Call 419-375-4384 for more information or check the Fort Recovery State Museum website or Fort Recovery State Museum Facebook Page.