United States

Ohio

Greenville

Garst Museum





 

Summary The Garst Museum exhibits many objects and photographs recording the history of the roots of America relating to the area of Darke County. Two special areas of exhibits relate to Greeneville, which was the largest stockade fort ever built in North America and was the scene of the most significant American Indian treaty ever negotiated. It is also houses the National Annie Oakley Centre and contains artifacts relating to Annie Oakley who was born and buried in Darke County.

The Garst Museum exhibits many objects and photographs recording the history of the roots of America relating to the area of Darke County, it has over 300,000 artifacts on display.

The building consists of  six major and two minor venues containing 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Garst House, which earlier served as an inn, has six additional building wings. The house was donated to the Darke County Historical Society in 1946 by the Garst family.

The museums originated from the Greenville Historical Society, which was founded in 1903. Its original mission included the study of local history, securing a memorial to commemorate the Treaty of Greene Ville, and the collection, preservation, and exhibition of local historic artifacts. This was the Darke County Historical Society's predecessor.

Today the museum has a number of exhibits displayed in specific areas, the main ones are: the Village, agricultural and military exhibits. Annie Oakley rooms which are part of the National Annie Oakley Center. Crossroads of Destiny, American Indians and Lowell Thomas Room.

On entry, visitors pass enter the reception area where guides can be obtained.

 

From there visitors enter a large area displaying artifacts appertaining to the development of the community and  life within it. Here are large number of artifacts relating to farming can be seen.

 

Passing through that are a number of small rooms displaying specific items relating to aspects of living such as shops and other aspects of life, such as telecommunications, hairdressing and woodworking tools.
 

The National Annie Oakley Centre. This displays exhibits, photos and even film depicting her life and history. 
 

Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 in Dark County and was famous as a sharpshooter. These skills were developed hunting game from an early age in order to feed her family.  At the age of 15 she won a shooting contest  against Frank Butler, an experienced sharpshooter, whom in 1876 she went on to marry.  In 1885 the couple joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and astounded audiences in both the States and in Europe performing before Heads of State and Royalty with such tricks as shooting a cigar out of her husbands lips. Annie died in 1926 aged 66 in Dark County. Where she is buried. Her husband, Frank Butler died just 18 days later. The display includes many of their personal items and the rifles used by them.

 

The Crossroads of Destiny is a exhibit telling the history of the Treaty of Greene Ville. Greene Ville was the largest stockade fort ever built in North America and it was the scene of the most significant American Indian treaty ever negotiated. The Treaty of Greene Ville of 1795 enabled the settlement of the Midwest and resulted in Ohio statehood eight years later. The Treaty also ended forty years of conflict over the upper Ohio Valley.