Memberships, sponsors, donations needed to create museum

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society (BOHS) is among 300 entities taking part in Open Doors, a state-wide celebration of Ohio history, heritage and preservation. BOHS will have access to the former Lawson's Dairy building at 314 N. Main St. just in time for the Open Doors event.

The society is purchasing buildings at 302 and 314 N. Main St. owned by Gary Kirtland and most recently occupied by Stratton Auto Group.

Visitors are invited to see inside the Lawson's Dairy building and to join in a discussion about its conversion into a Bluffton museum. 

The historical society plans to display portions of the Allen County Jail cell that held John Dillinger in 1933 following a robbery at Citizens National Bank. Other local history topics to be spotlighted are the Dixie Highway and the evolution of transportation by train, interurban rail and automobile. Locally made products and Dr. Boyd Travis's train collection will be displayed.

At the September 9 meeting of the society, current membership was reported at 72 memberships and 91 individuals.

In April 2026, BOHS began a 3-year, $1.3 million capital campaign to create the Bluffton museum. $197K has been raised to date; combined donations and pledges are close to $300K.

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society also cares for and rents the1899 Depot at Buckeye Lake (owned by the Village of Bluffton). Volunteers maintain the facility for group use and event rentals. The current rental fees and donations by groups using the facility do not fully cover building expenses.

The Ohio History Connection is promoting Open Doors activities September 10-20 at https://www.ohiohistory.org/ohio-open-doors-map/