The Butler County Historical Society presents “Fun and Games – In the 1800s,” a multi-generational event focusing on the games that children and teens would have played while living in Butler County during the 1800s.

“Fun and Games – In the 1800s” will be held 9:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 12 in the front yard of the society’s Benninghofen House museum at 327 North Second Street, Hamilton.

During this session we will present common games such as shuttle cock, graces, and Jacob’s ladder. Youngsters can make a ring and stick game to take home. All activities are designed as hands-on experiences with no set program. People can join the event anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. In the case of poor weather, activities will be moved inside to the Emma Ritchie Auditorium.

We plan to make chocolate and vanilla ice cream during the event, some the old fashioned way by hand cranking small makers and some through the power of an antique “hit and miss” engine attached to a five gallon ice cream maker. Kathy Creighton, executive director of the historical society, said that “last year we made more than six gallons of chocolate and vanilla ice cream the old fashioned way by hand cranking a small churn. We were unable to use the antique “hit and miss” engine because of a threatening rain storm, but we hope we can use it on Saturday. We will have all the toppings, sprinkles and cherries kids can add to make their ice cream a special treat.”

Participants can also see the historical society’s year-long exhibit which focuses on the story of World War I in Butler County. “Over There, Over Here: Butler County Stories of World War I” opened last April and can be visited during the day.

This is the third of the Historical Society’s summer multi-generational programs designed for children and their parents or grandparents, free and open to the public thanks to a generous grant from the W. E. Smith Family Trust of Oxford.

 

The Butler County Historical Society is a private non-profit formed in 1934 to preserve and promote the history of Butler County through the collection and conservation of artifacts and the sharing of knowledge through education and community engagement. It 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 is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Group tours of the Benninghofen House Museum can be arranged by calling 513 896-9930.