MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society (BOHS) will open the doors of the two Gary Kirtland buildings to celebrate their purchase for a new BOHS museum on Saturday, September 12 from 9-11:00 a.m.  Located at 302 and 314 North Main Street in Bluffton, Ohio, you can see the former Sohio gas and service station and the former Lawson’s Dairy store before renovation begins on the new museum.  Visitors can see initial plans for the new museum and can talk with BOHS representatives about this exciting opportunity to showcase the rich history of the Bluffton area.  Light refreshments will be served.

Visitors can discover Ohio’s amazing heritage Thursday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 20, as historic buildings and fascinating places across the state open their doors for special tours and events as part of the Ohio History Connection’s biennial event.

Admission to all Ohio Open Doors events is free. A list of the statewide events and activities is available at ohiohistory.org/opendoors.

“Ohio Open Doors shares stories of important landmarks and interesting sites right in our backyards, highlighting the history and unique nature of some of Ohio’s most treasured places,” said Diana Welling, Director of the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office and State Historic Preservation Officer.

The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Ohio Open Doors partner organizations include America 250-Ohio, Heritage Ohio, Ohio Local History Alliance, Ohio Museums Association, Ohio Travel Association, and TourismOhio.

For more information, go to ohiohistory.org/opendoors, blufftonforever.com, or call Dan Groman (419)231-3710.

About the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society
Formed as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2023, the organization exists to educate, preserve, and serve as an opportunity to celebrate our past while looking to the future.  With 89 members, and growing, the BOHS meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm, at their 1899 Depot, located at 405 N. Spring Street in Bluffton.  A three-year, $1.3 million capital investment campaign was kicked off in the summer of 2026 to provide a permanent home to display Bluffton area artifacts and to tell the story of Bluffton.  

About the Ohio History Connection
The Ohio History Connection is a statewide history organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered in 1885, the Ohio History Connection carries out history services for Ohio and its residents. This includes housing the State Historic Preservation Office and the official state archives and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio. For more information, go to ohiohistory.org. The Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation provide support for Ohio History Connection programs.

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