Things to Do in Ohio in the Month of May

30 April 202512 April 2025

May 1st: Enjoy the Day Exploring Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Part 1
May 2nd: Visit the Former Home of Goodyear Executive: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Part 2
May 3rd: Stroll the Luxurious Gardens of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Part 3
May 4th: Visit Oxford, Ohio’s Bagel and Deli in Oxford
May 5th: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo throughout the state of Ohio
May 6th: Experience Vinoklet Winery’s Weekend Cookouts
May 7th: Shop at Springfield Farmer’s Market
May 8th: Wine Down at Caesar’s Creek Vineyards
May 9th: Drink some amazing wine slushies at Buckeye Winery in Newark
May 10th: Order a Burger “Where Your Grandpappy Ate” at Kewpee Restaurant in Lima
May 11th: Check out the Gorgeous Views at Indian Bear Winery while Drinking Fabulous Wines
May 12th: Stroll Cincinnati’s Roebling Bridge into Kentucky
May 13th: Fill up on Mexican Cuisine at Bodega Restaurant
May 14th: Taste Local Wines at Markko Vineyard
May 15th: Reminisce about the Olden Days at The Garst Museum’s Display of Simpler Times
May 16th: Find albino squirrels at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
May 17th: Dine Among History at Red Brick Tavern
May 18th: Visit your local Farmer’s Market
May 19th: Visit the historical home of writer Louis Bromfield at Malabar Farm State Park in Mansfield, Ohio
May 20th: Listen to the Organ Sound at Deed’s Carillon Park
May 21st: Plan a hike at East Fork State Park
May 22nd: Explore the Garst Museum to Learn More about Annie Oakley
May 23rd: Sip Local Wines at Stoney Ridge Winery in Bryan
May 24th: Lace up Your Boots and Hike Blacklick Metro Park near Columbus
May 25th: Learn More About Your Hometown (Springfield) at a Local Museum
May 26th: Learn More About Your Hometown (Springfield) at a Local Museum, Part 2
May 27th: Explore Local Reds at Terra Cotta Vineyards
May 28th: Mark your calendar to visit Ohio Village in Columbus
May 29th: Eat Your Way Through Italy at CincItalia in Cincinnati
May 30th: Sample Amazing Wine Creations at Blend of Seven Winery
May 31st: Book a Weekend Getaway at Geneva on the Lake

The Garst Museum and Greenville’s Early Beginnings

4 March 202122 September 2024

As I entered the Garst Museum, it was eerily quiet as I passed through the threshold of a beautifully restored campus house. A table stood in the entryway with several flyers and maps to assist me with touring the galleries. To the left I began my exploration of Greenville’s history titled “Crossroads of Destiny” and found several materials pertaining to this venue.

Starting with the Paleo period are remains of prehistoric animals that once roamed this area of Darke County. On display are several bones and teeth of a Mastodon and Wooly Mastodon which were hunted by the Paleo Indians between 6,000 and 13,000 BC.

In addition to the animal finds are arrowheads dating back to the Paleo and Archaic Periods. Used for hunting and spearing fish, the Indians gradually improved their weapons and tools to include chisels and axes.

By the early 1600s, the English made their way to the New World and settled along the East Coast. In hopes of more opportunities, they began to move west, encroaching on Indian Territory. Fighting broke out between the Indians and the European Americans which eventually led to the 1795 Treaty of Green Ville. The “treaty of peace” included a cease fire between the Indians and Americans, provided compensation to the Indians in exchange for land that included two-thirds of southeast Ohio.

Additional treaties were signed and eventually the Indians were forced to settle in the West. At this point, Tecumseh, a Shawnee Indian from modern-day Columbus, Ohio was determined to fight against the loss of their land by the Americans, but his efforts failed. Eventually, Tecumseh joined the new Americans and fought in the War of 1812, where he died in October of 1813. The story of his life is depicted in an outdoor drama titled, “Tecumseh” which is performed during the summer months in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Growing up about an hour east of Greenville, I was familiar with the historic figures from the area such as Blue Jacket and Simon Kenton. Blue Jacket was a Shawnee War Chief who fought against American settlers who were in pursuit of the Indian’s land. He was defeated in 1794 during the Battle of Fallen Timbers which resulted in his signing the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, ceding to the settlers. Each year, the city of Xenia hosts performances of the outdoor drama ,”Blue Jacket” in a gorgeous, scenic amphitheater in remembrance of this local celebrity.

Simon Kenton was also a key figure as a frontiersman who was a friend of Daniel Boone. Kenton also fought alongside George Rogers Clark during the Revolution. Kenton was kidnapped by the Shawnee Indians on several occasions. Impressing the Shawnee by his ability to escape, he was eventually adopted by the Shawnee as they lived harmoniously in what is known today as Champaign County. He is buried in Urbana.

Today, Greenville is known for its farming of corn and soybean. Visitors can take a step back in time to visit Bear’s Mill, a working gristmill that sells freshly ground flour in their gift shop. Greenville’s Main Street is a great way to spend the afternoon with a visit to the Anna Bier Gallery displaying the artwork of local artists. My favorite stop is the KitchenAid experience to browse the latest KitchenAid mixers and gadgets for sale. In addition, the store houses a museum that shows the evolution of the KitchenAid mixer since 1941. The Merchant House is a highly recommended stop for lunch or dinner or venture to nearby Versailles for a local winery experience and its charming downtown.

From its humble beginnings to its modern day advancement in kitchen appliances, Greenville is an incredible historic stop and one of America’s greatest examples of Main Street, America.

Have you visited Greenville? What activities and restaurants did you decide to visit? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my lovely afternoon in Greenville and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Garst Museum
205 North Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 937 548 5250

Admission: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for youth, $9 for Darke County Genealogy Society Members, Free for children aged 5 and below and for DCHS Members
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10AM to 4PM & Sunday from 1PM to 4PM, Closed Mondays, Major Holidays and the Month of January
Amenities: Historical exhibits, educational exhibits, research center, historic figures, museum store and special events
Tips: Allow yourself plenty of time to visit each of the exhibits and wear comfortable shoes.

Where to Stay:

The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH 45380
Telephone: 937 526 3020

Where to Eat:

The Merchant House
406 South Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 937 459 4405

Pig candy and the Monte Cristo sandwich….absolutely amazing!

Where to Drink:

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH 45346
Telephone: 937 273 8381

What to Read:

Annie Oakley, by Charles J. Shields
Annie Oakley: A Captivating Guide to an American Sharpshooter Who Later Became a Wild West Folk Hero, by Captivating History
Life and Legacy of Annie Oakley, by Glenda Riley

step back into timw
historical destination with over 300,000 artifacts on display over 35,000 square feet of exhibit space within six building wings
Major Exhibit Venues include:
- Crossroads of Destiny: The story of General Anthony Wayne, Little Turtle
- Lowell Thomas – pioneer broadcaster
- Military History – 1812 to War in Iran
- Commander Zachary Landsdowne – Captain of the Navy Airship USS Shenandoah and early advocate of military air power
- Early Pioneers & Period American Furnishings
- Early Village Settlement Shops
- Currier & Ives Collection
- Darke County Research Center

Garst Museum in Greenville, Ohio – The National Annie Oakley Center

25 February 202122 September 2024

Visiting the Winery at Versailles in Ohio, I was surprised to learn that Annie Oakley was from nearby Greenville. The winery was once home to her aunt and Annie would visit over the summer. I decided to take a mini-field trip to check out Greenville and learn more about the little girl they nicknamed “Little Sure Shot”. Not only was there a statue of the famous sharpshooter, but an exhibit venue dedicated to her at The Garst Museum.

Born on August 13, 1860, Annie Moses was the fifth daughter of Jacob and Susan Moses and grew up a poor country girl. When her father and stepfather died, she learned to shoot game to feed the family at a young age. No one knows how she was named Annie Oakley but some say it was the surname of the man that helped her escape her difficult life while others claim she took the name from a suburb of Cincinnati.

By the time Annie was 10 years old, the Darke County Fair had become a major local event and it was probable that she had attended and could have even competed in the shooting competitions.

By the time Annie was 16, she had met and married Frank Butler, who was also a professional marksman. Frank was 10 years older than Annie and was born in Ireland. Annie met him on a visit to see her sister who had moved to nearby Cincinnati. During their meeting, Frank was immediately smitten with her while Annie fell for his poodle named George.

In 1885 Annie joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, a theatrical production which demonstrated various reenactments that included Cowboy and Indian scenarios as well as sharpshooting. Living her life out of a suitcase, Annie’s husband traveled with her and was also a performer in the show.

One attendee mentioned that she was a “small girl among the rough plainsmen.” standing at only five feet tall. In 1890 she arrived in Paris to perform with the Wild West show and later headlined at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. She was presented with many awards and pins that she wore while performing. She was the first woman to become an international superstar.

Annie Oakley would eventually retire from the Wild West show and settle with her husband in Nutley, New Jersey and later in Cambridge, Maryland (known as the Annie Oakley House). The couple did not have children, but were very fond of their adopted dog, Dave.

Annie Oakley “paved the way for women to ‘compete in a man’s world’ without compromising her integrity and femininity.” It was her opinion that “every woman should know how to handle guns as naturally as they know how to handle babies.”

In 1925, Annie’s health declined and was living in Greenville, Ohio with her sister, Emily. At the age of 66, Annie died from complications with pneumonia on November 3, 1926. She is buried in Brock Cemetery near Greenville.

Annie’s story is one of success and tenacity. Growing up with nothing, her hard work paid off resulting in her accomplishments and in becoming a role model for young girls to compete in sports. Achieving awards and fame, she never forgot her humble beginnings.

Have you visited the Annie Oakley exhibit at the Garst Museum? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Greenville’s Garst Museum and wishing you many Happy Travels!