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Wednesday 9am - 12pm Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Putnam County Historical Society & Museum

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Kalida, OH
Putnam County Historical Society & Museum

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Learn about the past of Putnam County (Ohio) by coming to the museum!

Here you will find several local artifacts on display, be able to research family and county history, become involved in yearly events, donate artifacts of your own, and much more. Set up a private tour or stop by during our regular hours- admission is free and open to the public.

10/30/2026

*Thursday Threads*
From the Farm to the Grocery Shelves...
Putnam County farm families were once self-sufficient. Farm wives raised vegetables and spent hours in home food preservation and on-the-farm meat processing. Chickens supplied Sunday dinner as well as a little "egg money." Surplus products were sold or traded for unsuppliable staples such as flour, sugar, and coffee.
The general store was one of the first businesses established in newly organized towns. Not only did they serve as retail outlets, they were social hubs where farmers traded stories as well as goods. Quinn's store in Kalida was a unique store in its day. On one side was a dry goods area and a grocery on the other side of the building. Almost anything a shopper needed could be found under one roof. It was a super center before commercial big box stores existed.
Stop by the PCHS museum to learn more about the agricultural scene in Putnam County past and present.

10/23/2026

*Thursday Threads* Although early agriculture concentrated on grain crops, farmers have become more diversified over the years. Today Putnam County farms raise livestock, hogs, cattle, poultry, and specialty items including dairy, honey, maple syrup, pumpkins and other garden produce. Greenhouses and landscaping businesses provide products for home gardening.
Historically Morning Star c***r press was built in 1888 by immigrant John Basinger. Originally operating in Columbus Grove, John's son Seth and Sam Amstutz continued pressing apples using the same c***r press for many years. Jerry Suter purchased the c***r press in 1976. The press is considered the oldest continuing operating enterprise in the Pandora community and perhaps in northwestern Ohio. Suter's Produce is a four-generation family farm that continues to provide this area with fresh produce throughout the summer, and a true autumn experience with hayrides to the pumpkin patch, c***r and donuts, and a family-friendly corn maze.

10/15/2026

*Thursday Threads*
Fertile Black Swamp soil supported a robust agricultural economy in Putnam County. In the early 1900s, sugar beets were a profitable crop but labor intensive. Several entrepreneurs developed and patented equipment to transform the industry to automation. John Anthony Fanger invented the self-propelled beet harvester in 1913. A father and son, Lawrence and Richard Unverferth, refined a beet-thinning tool called the Beet Blocker in 1935.
The Ohio Sugar Company Refinery located in Ottawa as early as 1912. By 1934, Putnam County had the largest number of sugar beet producers in Ohio with 823 growers. The sugar refinery closed in the 1970s after the market value decreased. It was the longest existing plant in the county and ran nearly every season from 1912 to early 1978. Hirzel Canning Company purchased the site for a tomato canning operation in 1982.

10/08/2026

*Thursday Threads* Putnam County has been a major agricultural hub in Ohio since the 1830s. Early pioneers raised wheat, corn, potatoes, and pork. German settlers managed significant acreage, advancing farming practices in each of our fifteen townships. Today Putnam County ranks third in the state for total farmland with over 230,000 acres dedicated primarily to grain farming.

10/07/2026

☕️A Ladies’ Afternoon Tea was held at the Three Twenty Supply Co in Columbus Grove recently, thanks to the collaboration of Brenda Davis, Carol Wise, and cafe owner Sherry Myers. Tea, dainty sandwiches, and desserts were enjoyed together while stories were shared of family history and connections to America 250. Jack Myers provided musical entertainment on the piano, including patriotic favorites.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support a new business in Putnam County while sharing history and community fellowship. The museum hopes to host more teas in the near future, so stay tuned for upcoming details!

📸Photos provided by Gloria Schramm Miller, Brenda Davis, and Carol Wise

10/01/2026

October “Thursday Threads” will highlight the vital role agriculture played in shaping Putnam County history, economy, and communities.

Family farms can be traced back to the early pioneers who cleared the Black Swamp in the early 1840s. By 1900, 80 percent of land was improved and the value increased dramatically. Acreage sold for $150 or more per acre in 1910. By 1914, 98 percent of the cleared land was devoted to farming, especially wheat and soybeans. In 1950, Putnam County had about 2600 farms with the average size of 228 acres. In 2022, data showed 1,471 farms across 306,504 acres. Animal power was the main source of transportation and an invaluable resource for the farmer.

10/01/2026

🍂Fall Hours🍁
Sundays (1-4 PM)
Wednesdays (9AM-noon)
By appointment- send a message or call 419-615-7180 to schedule

Stop by and learn about local history. Free admission.

09/24/2026

*Thursday Threads*
High schools dominate the sports history in Putnam County, but other recreational activities have been popular for adults.
🥊Boxing tournaments took place at the Palace Theater in Continental in the 1900s. Kalida hosted two professional wrestling events in 1935 and the Holy Name Ballpark was home to historic World Championship wrestling matches where the ring was reportedly set up near home plate.
⛳️Putnam County offers two challenging 18-hole golf courses for golf enthusiasts. Pike Run public golf course is located near Ottawa. Established in 1978, Country Acres was renamed Moose Landing Country Club and also offers fine dining. This area originally was a horse farm three miles north of Kalida.
🌳Many parks and recreational areas offer family-friendly activities such as tennis and pickleball courts, swimming, playgrounds, and picnic spaces.
Sports and recreation will always be a prominent part of Putnam County history.

09/21/2026

Thank you to those who participated in our Open Doors event, “Threads of Faith: Churches, Quilts, and Community.” We appreciate your support of county history and local programs.

Address

201 E Main Street Box 264
Kalida, OH
45853

Opening Hours

Wednesday	9am - 12pm
Sunday	1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+14195323008

Website

http://bright.net/~pchs/

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