While visiting The Garst Museum, I found the life of Lowell Thomas to be very interesting. Born in Woodington, Ohio, Thomas and his family moved to Colorado when Lowell was eight years old. After graduating from the University of Denver, Lowell took a job at the Chicago Journal and became known for writing about rail travel. When the United States became involved in World War I, Thomas left for Europe to write about the conflict.
Thomas would eventually travel to Palestine to write about the conflict, fascinating Americans back home. He returned with video pictures of the Middle East and gained recognition for his reporting of British officer T.E. Lawrence, who was known for his role in the Arab Revolt. The culmination of reporting would result in the movie, “Lawrence of Arabia”, which starred Peter O’Toole as T. E. Lawrence while Arthur Kennedy would play the role of Jackson Bentley which was loosely based on the life of Lowell Thomas.
Thomas would eventually became a radio commentator in 1929 and 1930 where he discussed his worldwide travels. While this lead to a program at CBS Radio Network, it was through television where Thomas would become known. Travel would always be Thomas’ first love and when his wife Frances passed, he remarried Marianna and took a 50,000 mile honeymoon. Thomas died four years later and is buried in Christ Church Cemetery in Pawling, New York.
Have you heard of Lowell Thomas or Lawrence of Arabia? I would love to hear about your visit to The Garst Museum if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to the museum 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:
- History as You Heard it by Lowell Thomas, by Lowell Thomas
- The Voice of America, by Mitchell Stephens
- Back to Mandalay, by Lowell Thomas
