Welcome to the Butler County Historical Society and Museum
The Butler County Historical Society is a private non-profit organization that formed in 1934 to preserve and promote the history of Butler County. The society, incorporated in 1948, owns and operates the Benninghofen House Museum, a high-Italian style home built in 1863 that is filled with the furnishings of a wealthy family during the Victorian era. It also manages the Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument on Front Street and the McCloskey Wonder Works(Temporarily Closed).
What’s Happening at BCHS?
Upcoming speakers series events:
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:00pm & 3:30pm-“The Disapperance of Ron Tammen: A Deep Dive into Buried Clues, Silent Bystanders, and the Latest Evidence of What Really Happened”
Thursday May 22, 2025 7:00pm-“The Miami Valley: Ohio’s Original Jersey Shore”
Thursday June 26, 2025 7:00pm-“Hot Fun in the Summertime: Butler County’s Summer Delights of the 1950s and ’60s”
Current Exhibit
Now Open!
“Intriguing Objects & Curiosities”
“What IS that?” is a question often asked by visitors, volunteers and even staff of the Butler County Historical Society. A new exhibit in the Benninghofen Museum, “Intriguing Objects and Curiosities,” invites visitors to use their knowledge of history to identify artifacts from the Society’s basement, closets and back shelves. Categories in the exhibit include personal hygiene, clothing and accessories, medical devices, hobbies, toys, needlework, household items and more. Even easily identified objects provide a fascinating glimpse of life at an earlier time. The exhibit is available for viewing until April 30th.
The Butler County Historical Society is located at 327 N. Second Street, Hamilton, Ohio. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tours of the Benninghofen Museum are free, however no tours will begin within an hour of closing. On and off-street parking is available. The first floor of the Benninghofen Museum is wheelchair accessible.
Upcoming Event
The Disappearance of Ron Tammen: A Deep Dive into Buried Clues, Silent Bystanders, and the Latest Evidence of What Really Happened”
Saturday, April 26: 1:00 pm(Sold out) & 3:30 pm
“The Disappearance of Ron Tammen: A Deep Dive into Buried Clues, Silent Bystanders, and the Latest Evidence of What Really Happened”
On April 19, 1953, Ronald Tammen disappeared from Miami University, and ever since that day, anyone who’s heard his story has been justifiably baffled. How could a smart, responsible, 19-year-old business major wander off campus without anyone noticing? What’s more, how has he never turned up in the ensuing years? According to Jennifer Wenger, who has been researching Ron’s case for the past 15 years, the mystery is more intricately layered than we could have imagined. Wenger will be discussing clues that were withheld from the public, people who knew more than they were letting on, and, most intriguing of all, a decades-old secret that the FBI has been keeping about Ron that could be a gamechanger in finding the answer to how and why he disappeared.
Admission is free for BCHS members or $5.00 for non-members payable at the door. Reservations are required-and limited to 100-please use the link on the website to reserve your seat. If you have any questions please call BCHS at 513-896-9930.