The Butler County Historical Society will re-open the historic Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument on Front Street, Hamilton, for Memorial Day visits from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 28th. Visitors can see the names of several thousand soldiers engraved on the marble walls, view the beautiful stained glass windows honoring the role of women during wartime and meet the monument’s new curator, Butch Frederick.

The interior of the monument will appear as it did when it first opened in 1906. It also will be open during Thursdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the entire month of June. During this initial period visitors can view boards telling about the history of the monument, the story of the “Billy Yank” statue on the top of the building, and review future improvements and programs being planned.

The BCHS is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the facility and will develop exhibits and programs for the public through a cooperative agreement with Butler County Commissioners.
Jack Armstrong, BCHS Monument Committee chairman, said “we plan to create professionally- designed exhibits and displays that change regularly. They will be informative, educational and engaging presentations of Butler County history, wars and local personnel stories.”

“We hope to bring modern digital technology on line in the monument,” Armstrong said. His plans include adding digital photo kiosks featuring interactive audio and video presentations, a digital master directory of all Butler County veterans and create the ability to provide digital technology tours for smart phones, tablets, laptops and other wireless devices.